The Ring

The Ring is the University of Victoria’s community newspaper. Its purpose is:

• to advance the mission and objectives of the university as articulated in the strategic plan
• to inform members of the campus community about news and events of interest to them and
• to help build a sense of community among faculty, staff and students at UVic.

Learn more about The Ring and access the print archives and advertising rates and schedule.

Latest stories

Changing the narrative for Indigenous youth

UVic social work student Santanna Hernandez's path to university was full of twists and turns—much like the Columbia River cutting through her hometown of Trail, BC. Now a mother of four, Hernandez will graduate from UVic in 2019 and is currently applying to medical schools.

Syrian quartet at UVic

The dramatic story of a Syrian guitar quartet escaping the ongoing destruction of the Syrian civil war for a year at UVic and a fellowship funded by the Artist Protection Fund offers a remarkable message about the power of music, hope and determination.

Day of Remembrance and Action

On Dec. 6, 1989, an armed gunman entered Polytechnique Montréal and shot 28 people, murdering 14 women and injuring 10 other women and four men. On Dec. 5, 2018, almost 30 years after the massacre, UVic came together for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women—a day to remember the women who died in the massacre as well as countless others who have suffered violence.

Whale bones and orca history

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how do you quantify the experience of holding a whale skull? Students in one history course recently had just that kind of heft added to their learning at the Royal BC Museum, examining the museum’s whale specimens.

In memoriam: Howard Petch

It is with great sadness that the university community marks the passing of Dr. Howard Petch, former President of the University of Victoria, on November 26 at the age of 93. Petch was the university’s fourth President, and is well-remembered for his 15 years in office guiding the campus through an era of immense change, and prioritizing programs and values that have become the defining characteristics of UVic today.

New study on charitable sector

The Victoria Foundation released new research on Nov. 27 about the economic and social impact of registered charities in our region. The new study, conducted by three UVic researchers, reveals that the civil society sector generated over $4 billion in economic activity in one year alone.

A second Giller Prize for Esi Edugyan

Internationally acclaimed UVic writing alumna Esi Edugyan has won the 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize for her latest novel, Washington Black. Edugyan wins $100,000 on this, the 25th anniversary of Canada’s richest literary award—and also earns the distinction of being one of only three authors to twice win the Giller Prize, alongside M.G. Vassanji and Alice Munro.

Premier announces new student housing project

Premier John Horgan’s sunny announcement that the provincial government will back UVic’s ambitious new $201-million campus housing project—providing an additional 620 beds for students living off campus—met with roaring applause at a news conference Nov. 15.

November Ringers

Bill Gaston (writing) has won the 2018 City of Victoria Butler Book Prize. Separately, Brad Buckham (engineering) and David Nelles (School of Earth and Ocean Sciences) were honoured with a Teaching Award of Excellence by Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia at their annual conference last month.

Sustainability field school

As an innovator and advocate of experiential learning, Cam Owens elevated awareness about the value of field schools when he joined UVic’s Department of Geography in 2012. Seven years later, the department has added five field-based schools to its undergraduate program and the popular Sustainability Field School has two programs: the Cascadia Field School and the Urban-Europe Field School.

Day in the Life: Alicia Kaiser

When Alicia Kaiser arrived at UVic in 2007 to pursue her degree in English and professional writing, she didn’t have a clear plan for the future. Eleven years later, she has found her niche as a member of the university's core communications and marketing team, and UVic's first and only digital signage coordinator.

CUE at UVic a top priority

UVic continues to make a difference in local and global communities with community-engaged initiatives that take place on campus, throughout BC and around the globe. Community-university engagement is a core value at UVic and one of the top six priorities of our new strategic framework.

Building Reconciliation Forum

UVic is this year's host for the fourth annual Building Reconciliation Forum (Nov. 15-16), in partnership with Universities Canada. This year’s theme is Ts’its’u’ watul tseep, meaning to help one another. Free public events include an Indigenous artisans market on Nov. 16 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. in First Peoples House.

Spirit Bear's Guide to Reconciliation

Cindy Blackstock will present "Spirit Bear's Guide to Reconciliation" at UVic's First Peoples House on Nov. 14. On Nov. 13, as part of Fall Convocation, UVic will acknowledge Blackstock for her many achievements, presenting her and Spirit Bear with honorary degrees.

From the Olympics to the Phoenix

"The Drowsy Chaperone" is the biggest song-and-dance show the Phoenix has presented in well over a decade: so much so that an entire set of dance shoes were needed for the 19-person cast. On now until Nov. 24, 2018.

Provide feedback on Strategic Enrolment Plan

After 10 months of working group and committee meetings and a range of engagement opportunities for different university constituencies, UVic’s first Strategic Enrolment Plan (SEM) is ready for broad campus feedback. Faculty and staff are invited to an open house session on Dec. 3 to learn more about this important initiative, ask questions and provide input.