British Columbia Institute of Technology
EN-3: Student Life

BCIT Building Science Club (BSC)

We are the platform for sharing innovation and leadership in building design, construction, and operation. We convene anyone concerned about building science, energy efficiency and environmental responsibility to dive into the details of creating better buildings. Whether you’re interested in building science, Passive House, net-zero, LEED, or just better building practice, please explore, learn, and engage!

BCIT Women in Computing (WIC)

BCIT Women in Computing is a group of like-minded individuals who support equality in the Technology field. Our goal is to support current female students to thrive in their academics while also forming strong connections with female professionals working in Vancouver’s Tech community. WIC is not exclusive to only female students, but we welcome anyone who supports the club’s visions.

BCIT Young Women in Business (YWiB)

WiB BCIT was founded with the purpose of connecting ambitious students across various schools that share the same belief of female empowerment in the professional workplace. YWiB is a progressively growing network across Greater Vancouver and has since grown nationally. It provides opportunities that facilitate growth for its members. Members have access to networking opportunities and meeting industry professionals that share their insight and experience through workshops and seminars.

Enactus BCIT

Enactus is a group of students who advocate that entrepreneurial action matched with sustainable business practices can empower the Greater Vancouver community, and communities around the world. With the mentorship of faculty advisors and industry professionals, Enactus BCIT members apply their schooling to launch social impact ventures that address the 17 UN Sustainable Development goals within our communities.

Indigenous Culture Club

The BCIT Indigenous Culture Club is a student-run organization for any student on campus who is interested in Indigenous culture, history, issues, or activities. The members of this club are First Nations, Metis, Inuit, non-Indigenous, and come from many different backgrounds and experience. Through traditional teachings and practices we aim to provide a platform in which to connect the BCIT community. All the above mentioned are groups hosted under the BCIT Student Association (BCITSA).

Website URL: https://www.bcitsa.ca/clubs/

In the summer of 2019, BCIT partnered with a local beekeeping company to establish a honeybee and pollinator program, known as BeeCIT, adding to the ongoing efforts to support healthy pollinator populations. The introduction of bees was the first step towards a broader vision to create more edible gardens, including fruit trees, which promote sustainable gardening practices, provide food for the community, and offer places of respite from the stresses of school and work. The BeeCIT program began with one honey bee hive at the Burnaby Campus and has since expanded with hives at the Downtown, Marine, and Aerospace campuses. https://www.bcit.ca/facilities/facilities-services/grounds-landscaping/beecit-pollinator-program/

BCIT has a network of edible gardens. Planting fruit trees, and other edible plants is part of our strategy to encourage pollinators like bees, and birds. This supports biodiversity as well as providing foraging opportunities for those on campus. An Edible Garden Foraging map for the Burnaby campus can be downloaded at: https://www.bcit.ca/files/facilities/pdf/edible_gardens_map_2023.pdf

One of the highlights is the Indigenous Garden which opened in 2022. The tiered garden provides a dedicated area to cultivate a range of Indigenous plants and is also built to be a peaceful green space for students and staff to enjoy. The Indigenous Garden features signs describing the plants in the garden and their use by Indigenous peoples. The edible plants at the new garden, the squash, corn, and bean, reflect Indigenous traditions. These are some of the most important crops amongst Indigenous peoples in Canada. They are known as the Three Sisters because they are often planted together in a technique known as companion planting. A traditional Three Sisters’ soup using these ingredients was served at the opening of the garden.

The development of the garden was a collaboration between a range of campus partners who are part of the BCIT Food Security Working Group – a multi-stakeholder platform committed to engaging in the promotion of food security resources on-and-off the BCIT campus. This working group provides a centralized support for improved communication, collaboration and community building across campus. The working group advances initiatives related to food security and works towards a campus culture where student food insecurity is destigmatized.

The plants provided and their significance to Indigenous culture are described at: https://commons.bcit.ca/news/2022/05/indigenous-garden/

The BCIT Library has a special collection of information: drawers filled with dozens of varieties of seeds. Each spring the library offers seeds for flowers, herbs, vegetables, and showcases books to help with every aspect of growing a garden. Seed library users are encouraged to save seeds from the plants they grow and return them to support next year’s collection. https://commons.bcit.ca/news/2019/03/bcit-seed-library-is-helping-preserve-local-biodiversity/

The BCIT Student Association (BCITSA) is a non-profit student service and advocacy organization at BCIT with a mandate to enhance student life. Their programs and services (including food services) are designed to benefit and support all 48,500+ full-time and part-time students across BCIT’s five campuses. Students lead the organization and govern the affairs of the BCITSA. The Board of Directors is composed of 12 elected Student Executives and Student Councillors from each of the different Schools at BCIT. In 2019, a new VP Equity and Sustainability position was created.

The BCITSA values safety, inclusivity & accessibility, sustainability, transparency, growth & innovation. Their Mission Statement is to be an advocate for students and provide student-centered, responsive, and proactive services that support and enhance the quality of student life. Guided by the students’ voice, they endeavour to foster and create a culture that encourages diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice within their programs, services and operations.

Food insecurity has severe implications for one’s health and well-being. Post-secondary students are particularly vulnerable, with over 50% of students at Canadian post-secondary institutions experiencing moderate to severe levels of food insecurity. In a survey of BCIT students conducted from January to March 2023:

• One third of respondents were food insecure. This number rose to almost 47% of international students.


• 35% could not afford to eat balanced meals.


• 23% found that the food they purchased did not last and they could not purchase more.

The Food Support Hub run by the BCITSA is an all-encompassing service that includes several different avenues for students to access support. Services include immediate food resources such as the Food Pantry, Community Fridge, Emergency Food Support, and Nutrition Coaching, as well as information and referral to related services through the Community Food Network. The Food Pantry is a free initiative where BCIT students can obtain accessible, nutritionally, and culturally appropriate food. The Pantry is featured in IN 14: Food Bank.

More information on the Food Support Hub: https://www.bcitsa.ca/food-support/

More information on the BCITSA: https://www.bcitsa.ca

BCIT’s campuses as Living Labs of sustainability initiative is a pan-institutional, collaborative approach to hands-on learning that uses the campus as a vehicle to engage students, faculty and staff in solving real-world challenges.

In 2023, BCIT launched a Living Labs lecture series for students, faculty and staff. The lectures provide opportunities to present key considerations and share information with students, and ways for students to ask professionals about a project. Some of the lectures include site tours, which provide opportunities to visit projects on campus and learn about real-world issues and challenges in the field. Some of the subjects covered in 2023 include:

• Daylighting Guichon Creek: challenges and opportunities in the BCIT context


• Achieving net zero carbon emissions for sustainable buildings: case studies in design


• Showcasing sustainability and energy features in BCIT’s newest building – the Health Sciences Centre


• Designing a mass timber system for BCIT’s Tall Timber Student Housing

The series is featured at: https://www.bcit.ca/sustainability/living-labs/living-labs-lecture-series/

BCIT’s campuses are located on unceded Indigenous land belonging to the Coast Salish peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nations. BCIT has hosts numerous cultural events with an Indigenous focus and has many Indigenous art installations. 

The Keepers of the Land Mural

In 2023, a new mural depicting a sea and sky-scape of the traditional territories of the Coast Salish Nations was unveiled. The mural is by Kelly Cannell, a xʷməθkwəy̓əm artist with many art installations in the Greater Vancouver area.

In Kelly’s words: “This story tells the woven history of the land and its surroundings. Together, the three host Coast Salish nations are proud keepers of the land. It is my intention to capture our connection to this beautiful environment. When creating this design representing the Coast Salish Peoples presence was important. We as Coast Salish people identify ourselves by where we come from.”

“I have chosen to use the raven and eagle to symbolize the vision of BCIT. The raven is known as a mischievous and curious creature and symbolizes knowledge, prestige and a truth teller in visions. The eagle, one of the highest regarded symbols of the local First Nations, represents respect, honor, strength, courage and wisdom. Together the birds take flight from the mountain with their wings soaring over the sea.”

Kelly explains, “directly in the middle of this mural is a triangle. In our culture, a repeated triangle in weaving designs is known as the mountain and valley motif. Shown here alone is my representation of the local mountains. This solitary triangle also symbolizes the three host nations united as one. The wings of the birds become the water of the Salish Sea. Below are two salmon, a staple to Coast Salish food and culture. Presented in pairs, salmon represent good luck and symbolize life, prosperity, abundance, and renewal.”

The Keepers of the Land covers the entire wall of building NW6 – overlooking the newly completed Beedie Plaza and gateway to the Burnaby campus. It compliments the other Indigenous design elements nearby, such as the Indigenous paving pattern in Beedie Plaza, the Indigenous glazing motifs on the windows of the adjacent Health Sciences Centre (HSC), and the Indigenous mural inside the HSC.

Learn more and see video of the mural as featured on Global News: https://globalnews.ca/video/9879330/2023-vancouver-mural-festival-kicks-off-friday/

Cedar Weaving with Shy Watters

Knowledge Keeper Shy Watters of shishalh (Sechelt) Nation, who also has Squamish, Sliammon (Coast Salish) and Kwakwaka'wakw ancestry, shares her passion for cedar weaving with students, faculty and staff through workshops at the Gathering Place on the Burnaby Campus.

Shy weaves intricate designs and weaves patterns from her rich cultural background. Shy was interested in weaving and sought out knowledge keeper Fran Nahanee, who shared with Shy about how to culturally modify cedar trees and weave cedar hats, Fran lent a hat mold to Shy and that got her started. Shy has passionately been weaving red and yellow cedar for well over 20 years and continues to explore her art with tenacity and enjoyment. The innovative patterns used by Shy's cedar hats are popular and much of her work in sought after for cultural ceremonies.

Each workshop on cedar weaving takes participants through training on teachings and protocols that go with making and owning the work of art. In the last three years she has led workshops on:

• cedar baskets


• cedar bookmarks


• cedar roses


• mini cedar hats


• adult cedar hats


• cedar graduation caps


• dream catcher hand drums


• hand drum painting

Wellness Breaks with Una-Ann

Una-Ann is a Tahltan/Tlingit West Coast artist, from northern British Columbia. Una-Ann has worked as a Cultural Presenter and an Aboriginal Support Worker in the Langley School District for the past twenty-five years. Una-Ann has established herself as an artist and clothing designer. Incorporating her traditional designs with a contemporary flair, she works in various mediums. Una-Ann enjoys sharing her knowledge of Indigenous culture and West Coast art with others. Her artwork, clothing and accessories can be seen at Indigenous art exhibitions, conferences, arts & craft shows and cultural festivals.

Her Wellness Breaks for students, faculty and staff were held at the Gathering Place and she focussed on leather work and beading with projects including:

• Medicine Pouches


• Beaded Cuffs


• Rattle Bags

Coast Salish House Post

BCIT commissioned a local Squamish First Nations artist Aaron Nelson-Moody (aka Splash) to design and carve a traditional Coast Salish House post – now installed in the lobby of SW1 on the Burnaby campus. Various student service departments including Student Information and Enrolment Services, Program Advising, Registrar’s Office, International Student Centre, and the Indigenous Gathering Place (Mi Chap Tukw) are housed in SW1.

Splash is a renowned artist, storyteller, and teacher who has spent years working with community groups and schools. House posts are carved to reflect the character and values of the families and community they look over. Splash worked with BCIT staff to develop the design that tells the story of BCIT’s past, present and future. Also carved into the post is a QR code linking the traditional to the digital. The QR code was hand carved onto a copper outline of the Snewayelh, the hand-shaped logo for Indigenous Initiatives. Snewayelh means “teachings.” It symbolizes the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next. Students scan the QR code to access a website designed to respect Indigenous art and culture, and push the boundaries of technology - extending traditional storytelling into the digital sphere. A photo gallery of the installation of the QR code can be found at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bcit/albums/72157659014143653

The final product has a game-like quality. Users select tiles on the site, with no hint as to where that selection will lead. It’s a bit like a digital choose-your-own-adventure story. Sometimes it goes to content, sometimes not. As each tile is selected, the drawing transforms into an image of the finished artwork, symbolically mirroring Splash’s journey. https://housepost.commons.bcit.ca/

The need to explore reflects a basic tenant of Indigenous education—the hunt for understanding. Users aren’t given an answer. They must come up with the meaning for themselves. “That is what Native art is for,” says Splash. “In Coast Salish teachings, we encourage students to take an extra minute to go a little further to get to know what they want to know.”

Check out https://youtu.be/7g2ku5qT0ug for more information on our collaboration with Indigenous Artists to raise awareness and create a stronger First Nations presence on campus.

The BCIT Fish, Wildlife and Recreation (FWR) program is two-year Diploma that provides students with hands-on training in managing fisheries, wildlife, and parks and recreational lands. This program is widely renowned locally and internationally for its “field-oriented” learning and applied research. The FWR program offers a number of field trips and outdoor programs that follow Leave No Trace principles.

For over forty five years, the FWR program has been doing an annual field trip with second year students to Garibaldi Provincial Park in British Columbia (BC). This is a three day backpacking trip supported by BC Parks, the BC provincial government park agency. The students hike up a ten kilometer trail and camp for two nights and then hike back down the trail. During the field trip the students engage with staff from BC Parks including Park Rangers and park planners. They also are given time to experience the park through day hikes.

Prior to heading out on the first day the students are introduced to backcountry safety and Leave No Trace Principles. The students then apply these skills in their three days in the backcountry of Garibaldi Provincial Park.

https://www.bcit.ca/programs/fish-wildlife-and-recreation-diploma-full-time-7930dipma/

https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/garibaldi/

BCIT’s Policy 1010 Economic, Social, Environmental Sustainability articulates seven aspirational goals to help guide our progress towards advancing sustainability:

1. Become greenhouse gas neutral


2. Become a net energy producer


3. Achieve zero waste


4. Become water balanced


5. Become ecologically restored


6. Be equitable and socially responsible


7. Be accessible to all students and faculty

One goal is chosen to guide engagement each year. Goal 7 “Be accessible to all students and faculty” is the theme for 2024. Engagement activities are focused on providing students and employees opportunities to participate in learning activities and campus initiatives related to the new Accessibility Plan released in September 2023. Please see Innovation D for more information on the Plan.

https://www.bcit.ca/sustainability/operations/

The Sustainability Office and the Centre for Ecocities at BCIT offer sustainability-focused student employment opportunities. Opportunities vary based on current project needs. Students worked on several projects in the last three years including:

• Engaging with and providing support to the BCIT community on various sustainability initiatives including the UN Sustainable Development Goals and recycling and waste reduction information.


• Research and data compilation for a project exploring how living within the Earth’s carrying capacity can be measured and managed at the city scale. The purpose was to understand how a handful of high-consuming cities around the world are achieving absolute reductions in energy and material throughput and how this could be translated into policy and action in Canadian cities.


• Researching, writing, and distributing stories about the Centre for Ecocities and sustainability at BCIT.


• Providing social media support posting about various sustainability topics.