University of Victoria

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The University of Victoria (Commonly referred to as uVictoria or UVic) is the second oldest public research university in British Columbia. It is a research intensive university located in Greater Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (northeast of Victoria) with an enrollment figure of more than 20,000 students. The campus is known for its innovative architecture, beautiful gardens and mild climate. It attracts many students in part because of its size, its picturesque location, and its Cooperative Education, Earth & Ocean Sciences, Engineering, and Law programs. The university is also the province's second largest research institution and the nation's lead institution in the VENUS and NEPTUNE projects.

The university' is academically known for its research contributions through its School of Earth and Ocean Sciences which has helped predict and alleviate the impact of recent earthquakes around the world. The University of Victoria Law Programs has a long history of protecting human rights, the environmental and worked closely on a large number of precedent setting environmental, ecological and First Nations cases across Canada, and the globe.

The Victoria Vikings represent the University at the Canadian Inter-university Sport (CIS) division as well as through a variety of intercollegiate leagues. The Victoria Vikes have especially long and eminent ties to Competitive Rowing, and Basketball. The university's Cornett Building is an acclaimed example of architectural modernism on the campus. Home to many of the humanities, the Cornett Building boasts a long history of befuddling students who find themselves lost within its long corridors.

The University Of Victoria has been consistently ranked as Research University of the Year and as the Research University of the Decade by Re$earch Infosource. The University has climbed to 130th in the world and sixth place in Canada in the 2010 Times Higher Education's annual World University Rankings. UVic was the top-ranked university in Canada without an autonomous medical school by THES World University Rankings. The University has been home to more 40 faculty members who are Fellows with the Royal Society of Canada since the University of Victoria's founding.

History
University of Victoria was established on 1 July 1963 in Victoria, British Columbia when an existing college of the University of British Columbia gained autonomy as a university. The non-denominational university had enjoyed 60 years of prior teaching tradition at the university level as Victoria College. This 60 years of history may be viewed conveniently in three distinct stages. Between the years 1903 and 1915, Victoria College was affiliated with McGill University, offering first- and second-year McGill courses in Arts and Science. Administered locally by the Victoria School Board, the College was an adjunct to Victoria High School and shared its facilities. Both institutions were under the direction of a single Principal: E.B. Paul, 1903-1908; and S.J. Willis, 1908-1915.

The opening in 1915 of the University of British Columbia, established by Act of Legislature in 1908, obliged the College to suspend operations in higher education in Victoria. University of British Columbia was created in 1908. A single, public provincial university, it was modeled on the American state university, with an emphasis on extension work and applied research. The governance was modeled on the provincial University of Toronto Act of 1906 which established a bicameral system of university government consisting of a senate (faculty), responsible for academic policy, and a board of governors (citizens) exercising exclusive control over financial policy and having formal authority in all other matters. The president, appointed by the board, was to provide a link between the two bodies and to perform institutional leadership.

In 1920, as a result of local demands, Victoria College began the second stage of its development, reborn in affiliation with the University of British Columbia. Though still administered by the Victoria School Board, the College was now completely separated from Victoria High School, moving in 1921 into the magnificent Dunsmuir mansion known as Craigdarroch Castle. Over the next two decades, under Principals E.B. Paul and P.H. Elliott, Victoria College built a reputation for thorough and scholarly instruction in first- and second-year Arts and Science. It was also during this period that future author Pierre Berton edited and served as principal cartoonist for the student newsletter, The Microscope.

The final stage, between the years 1945 and 1963, saw the transition from two year college to university, under Principals J.M. Ewing and W.H. Hickman. During this period, the College was governed by the Victoria College Council, representative of the parent University of British Columbia, the Greater Victoria School Board, and the provincial Department of Education. Physical changes were many. In 1946 the College was forced by postwar enrollment to move from Craigdarroch to the Lansdowne campus of the Provincial Normal School (This is the current location of the Camosun College Lansdowne Campus). The Normal School, itself an institution with a long and honourable history, joined Victoria College in 1956 as its Faculty of Education. Late in this transitional period (through the co-operation of the Department of National Defence and the Hudson's Bay Company) the 284 acre (1,1 kmÂ²) now 385 acre (1.6 kmÂ²) campus at Gordon Head was acquired. Academic expansion was rapid after 1956, until in 1961 the College, still in affiliation with UBC awarded its first bachelor's degrees.



In the early part of this century, professional education expanded beyond the traditional fields of theology, law and medicine. Graduate training based on the German-inspired American model of specialized course work and the completion of a research thesis was introduced.

The policy of university education initiated in the 1960s responded to population pressure and the belief that higher education was a key to social justice and economic productivity for individuals and for society.

The university gained its autonomy in 1963 as the University of Victoria. The University Act of 1963 vested administrative authority in a chancellor elected by the convocation of the university, a board of governors, and a president appointed by the board; academic authority was given to the senate which was representative both of the faculties and of the convocation.

University of Victoria's Arms were registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority on April 3, 2001. The historical traditions of the university are reflected in the coat of arms, its academic regalia and its house flag. The BA hood is of solid red, a colour that recalls the early affiliation with McGill. The BSc hood, of gold, and the BEd hood, of blue, show the colours of the University of British Columbia. Blue and gold have been retained as the official colours of the University of Victoria. The motto at the top of the Arms of the University, in Hebrew characters, is "Let there be Light"; the motto at the bottom, in Latin, is "A Multitude of the Wise is the Health of the World."

Campus & Grounds
The main Campus is located in the Gordon Head area of Greater Victoria. With a total area of 403 acres (1.6 kmÂ²), the campus spans the border between the municipalities of Oak Bay and Saanich. The original campus plan was prepared by the San Francisco architecture and planning firm of Wurster, Bernardi & Emmons. The general concept of the original design is still being followed with the academic portions of the campus located inside Ring Road which forms a perfect circle 600 m (1969 ft) in diameter. Outside of Ring Road are the parking lots, Student Union Building, residence buildings, the sports facilities as well as some of the academic facilities that are more self contained (Law and Theatre for example). Some of the more prominent buildings on campus are:


 * Bob Wright Centre - the School of Earth & Ocean Sciences, the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling & Analysis, Chemistry and Astronomy labs
 * Business and Economics Building - besides the obvious, this building also houses the offices of senior university administrators.
 * Clearihue - Faculty of Humanities, including the Departments of English, Philosophy, Linguistics, Greek and Roman Studies, Medieval Studies, Slavonic Studies, History, Women's Studies, Pacific and Asian Studies, and languages. Also included are student computing facilities, the UVic Computer Store, and classrooms.  Clearihue is the oldest building on campus, originally constructed in 1962 and augmented by an addition in 1971.  It is named after Joseph Clearihue, who was chairman of Victoria College from 1947 until it gained university status in 1963.
 * Cornett - includes classrooms and the Departments of Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology.
 * Cunningham - includes the Department of Biology, a herbarium, numerous specialized research laboratories and the Centre for Forest Biology.


 * David Strong - classrooms, seminar rooms and the Mathews and McQueen auditorium.
 * Elliott - includes the Departments of Chemistry and Physics and Astronomy, as well as a number of classrooms and laboratories. The building is topped by the Climenhaga Observatory.
 * Engineering Buildings - includes the Engineering Office Wing, the Engineering Lab Wing and the Engineering/Computer Science building (ECS) - home to the Faculty of Engineering, which includes the Departments of Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
 * Fraser - formerly known as the Begbie building - houses the Faculty of Law, the Institute for Dispute Resolution and the Centre for Pacific-Asia Initiatives. The building also houses classrooms, seminar rooms, a moot courtroom and the Diana M. Priestly Law Library.
 * Hickman - formerly called the Centre for Innovative Teaching - includes "Smart" classrooms featuring closed-circuit cameras and remote projection systems to link teachers and students with other classrooms.
 * Human and Social Development Building - Classrooms and offices for Child and Youth Care, Dispute resolution, Health Information Science, Indigenous Governance, Nursing, Public Administration, and Social Work.
 * Ian Stewart Complex - the main fitness facility. Includes tennis courts, an ice rink, an outdoor pool and a gym.
 * MacLaurin - includes the Faculty of Education and School of Music, as well some classrooms and the David Lam Auditorium.
 * McKinnon Gymnasium - the School of Physical Education, the main Gymnasium and an indoor swimming pool.
 * William C. Mearns Centre for Learning
 * Medical Sciences Building - the Island Medical Program.
 * Petch Building - the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry, and School of Earth and Ocean Sciences.
 * Phoenix Theatre - the Theatre department.
 * University Centre - includes many administrative offices (Accounting, Payroll, Advising, Record Services) as well as the main public cafeteria, Maltwood art gallery and the Farquhar auditorium.
 * Sedgewick - Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives (CAPI), Centre on Aging, Centre for the Study of Religion in Society, Centre for Global Studies; administration offices.
 * Social Sciences and Mathematics - houses the Departments of Geography, Political Science, and Mathematics, as well as the School of Environmental Studies.
 * Student Union Building - popularly known as "the Sub", it houses a movie theatre, food services, a bookstore, and the headquarters of several clubs and campus organizations, including a radio station (CFUV). There is also a student pub, Felicita's, and a defunct nightclub, Vertigo, which is now study space.
 * Army Huts - nine single-storey wood-frame utilitarian Second World War buildings (1940) on the northern part of the University of Victoria campus are on the Registry of Historic Places of Canada
 * Halpern Centre for Graduate Students - colloquially known as "The Grad Centre" the building houses the Graduate Student Society (GSS) general office, "The Grad House" restaurant which is open to the public, and the David Clode lounge. There is also a meeting space (boardroom) that can be booked by contacting the GSS Office.
 * First Peoples House - Anthropological Building in dedication of the First Nations peoples of British Columbia, and of all Canada.

The university also offers on-campus housing for over 3,200 students. A extensive variety of housing is available, including single and double rooms, apartment-style housing with four people per unit (Cluster Housing) and family housing (Lam Family Housing). One of the oldest buildings is named for General Sir Arthur William Currie. Construction on the South Tower Complex was completed in January 2011.

Much of the university estate has been dedicated to nature, notably Finnerty Gardens and Mystic Vale, a 44,000mÂ² (11 acre) forested ravine. The campus is home to deer, owls, squirrels, the occasional cougar and many other wild animals native to the area. The large population of domestic rabbits, which likely descended from abandoned house pets from the surrounding community, is a memorable feature of the campus. As of May 2010, the University has begun trapping and euthanizing the rabbits as they have been known to put athletes at risk in the playing fields. It has been documented that local veterinarians have offered to perform neutering of the male rabbits. However the university believes that it needs to act quickly on the matter. As of March 2011, 500 rabbits have been killed, and only eight are known to remain.

Faculties & Schools
The University Of Victoria has one of the widest and richest calendar of faculties and departments in British Columbia. Below is a partial list of divisions and faculties within the University of Victoria System.
 * Education
 * Engineering
 * Fine Arts Includes departments of History in Art, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts and Writing.
 * Graduate Studies (Various Faculties)
 * Human & Social Development
 * Child and Youth Care
 * Dispute resolution
 * Health Information Science
 * Nursing
 * Public Administration
 * Social Work.
 * Humanities - Includes the departments and programs: English, French, Germanic and Russian Studies, Greek and Roman Studies, Hispanic and Italian Studies, History, Linguistics, Medieval studies, Pacific and Asian Studies, Philosophy.
 * Continuing Studies
 * Political Sciences & Economics
 * Medical Sciences
 * Science - Includes the departments and programs: Biochemistry and Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics, and Physics and Astronomy.
 * Social Sciences which includes the following: Anthropology, Environmental Studies, Geography, Psychology, and Sociology.

Peter B. Gustavson School of Business
Peter B. Gustavson School of Business - Formerly the Faculty of Business, renamed following a donation by local entrepreneur Peter B. Gustavson. This leading business School is one of the finest in Canada with a wide range of programs including the BCom, MBA and other business degrees, EQUIS accredited.

School of Earth & Ocean Sciences
The University's School of Earth & Ocean Sciences is the premiere underwater and marine institution in Canada and has produced a large number of influential findings in its history. The School of Earth & Ocean Science also collaborate with the VENUS and NEPTUNE research institutes. In addition to this the University was a founding member of the Western Canadian Universities Marine Sciences Society, UVic maintains this field station on the west coast of Vancouver Island, which is jointly run by the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary.

Law
UVic Faculty of Law is consistently ranked as one of the finest law schools in Canada and offers Joint M.B.A., M.P.A. degrees in association with the prestigious Juris Doctorate (J.D.) designation. In 2011 UVic Law was authorized to open a new research facility at Hakia Beach, BC in association with the Tula Foundation. UVic Law has been deeply involved with many of the Aboriginal, Ecological, and Environmental cases within British Columbia and continues this tradition today.

Engineering
One of the leading engineering institutes in the country allows students to specialize in the following disciplines: Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science and Software Engineering.

Libraries System
The University of Victoria Libraries system is the second largest in British Columbia being composed of three 'on-campus' libraries, the William C. Mearns Center for Learning/McPherson Library, the Diana M. Priestly Law Library, and the MacLaurin Curriculum Library. The Library System has undergone significant growth in recent years as more of the University's operating budget goes towards library purchases and research. The University of Victoria Archives contains priceless collections from Imperial Japan, to carbon dated original manuscripts of the Sancti Epiphanii. The collection also boasts extensive histories of colonial Victoria and the Colony of Vancouver Island among other documents. Recently, the library began to digitize some of its collections through the groundbreaking Summon Program, as well as adding a large art gallery. The UVic libraries collection includes 2.0 million books, 2.3 million items in microforms, plus serial subscriptions, sound recordings, music scores, films and videos, and archival materials.

Research
The University of Victoria is one of the foremost research institutions in Western Canada. From Climate Change to Life Sciences the University of Victoria is committed to the highest quality of research. In the 2010 Re$earch Infosource ranking of Canada's research universities, UVic topped all other comprehensive universities in Canada in two out of three measures of research performance over the last decade: growth in research income and growth in research intensity. The University maintains a field station on the west coast of Vancouver Island to conduct marine research. The facility is jointly run by the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary. Undergraduates at the University of Victoria have full access to research and learning at this facility. In 2011 the University, in collaboration with the provincial government purchased and modified a state of the art ocean vessel capable of launching 'deep sea submersibles' and conducting long range marine biology research expeditions. The 'floating laboratory' is undergoing upgrades and expansions currently and will be in service by late 2011. The School of Earth & Ocean Sciences is also home to the renowned VENUS and NEPTUNE research institutes responsible for seismic, oceanic and climate change research. Located in the Greater Victoria area the University's legal centre provides free legal assistance to the disadvantaged as well as dealing with important environmental cases in British Columbia. The uVictoria Law Center is the only full-time, term clinical program offered by a Canadian law school. The Program reflects the Faculty's emphasis on integrating legal theory, legal skills, and community service while providing students with unique education and research opportunities. The University Of Victoria is the only institution in British Columbia to own and operate a research park. Located in the Greater Victoria, British Columbia area the Vancouver Island Technology Park is a state of the art, 35 acre commercial research facility. The venture allows the University to work with leading technology and biomedical companies while provided students with unparalleled research opportunities. The facility focuses on fuel cell, new media, wireless, and life science/biotechnological research. The UVic Genome BC Proteomics Centre and a number of other research institutes are based out of the research park. The Capital Regional District is a major commercial hub for technology companies which benefit the university and entire region.
 * Bamfield Marine Research Station
 * SEOS Oceanic Vessel
 * VENUS/NEPTUNE
 * Centre for Law
 * University of Victoria Research Park

Admissions
Admission to the University Of Victoria is based on a selective academic system, and results in a majority of admissions from all across Canada and indeed, the world. UVic requires all applicants to submit gross percentage averages to be considered for admission. The University welcomes qualified applicants studying under IB programs, AP programs or other international distinctions. The University of Victoria maintains one of the most careful admissions processes in British Columbia, but is able to offer scholarships & financial aid to a large number of accepted students.

International Exchanges
The University Of Victoria has partnered with a number of world renowned research institutions to provide UVic students with the opportunity to gain valuable research experience abroad. Both UVic undergraduate and graduate students may travel abroad with UVic's many partner universities. This international exchange programs develops the collegial yet international atmosphere at the University of Victoria, and promotes an exchange of information.

Rankings
Maclean's Magazine, a major Canadian news magazine, has ranked UVic as one of the top three comprehensive universities in the nation for three consecutive years. Its Faculty of Law has also ranked first in the country, 8 out of the last 11 years. Currently, they are ranked 4th by Canadian Lawyer Magazine. University of Victoria's MBA program is consistently ranked among the top 10 of its kind in the nation. UVic is British Columbia's second largest research university, after UBC, and is one of Canada's top 20 research institutions. According to ScienceWatch, UVic is nationally ranked first in geoscience, second in space science and education, and third in engineering and mathematics for the period of 2000-2004.


 * 2004. Maclean's Magazine ranked UVic as 3rd in comprehensive university category.
 * 2005. Maclean's Magazine ranked UVic as 2nd in comprehensive university category.
 * 2006. Maclean's Magazine ranked UVic as 3rd in comprehensive university category.
 * 2007. Maclean's Magazine ranked UVic as 1st in comprehensive university category.
 * 2007. Academic Ranking of World Universities ranked the University of Victoria as 200-300th in the world.
 * 2007. THES-QS World University Rankings ranked University of Victoria as 213th in the world and 12th in Canada.
 * 2008. Maclean's Magazine ranked SFU and UVic as 1st in comprehensive university category.
 * 2008.THES-QS World University Rankings ranked University of Victoria as 244th in the world and 14th in Canada.
 * 2009. Maclean's Magazine ranked SFU and UVic as 1st in comprehensive university category.
 * 2009.THES-QS World University Rankings ranked University of Victoria as 241st in the world and 14th in Canada.
 * 2010. THE-WUR World University Rankings ranked University of Victoria as 130th in the world and 6th in Canada.

The Martlet
UVic's oldest and most recognized weekly student newspaper founded in 1948 is The Martlet. It is distributed all over campus and the Greater Victoria area. The paper is named after the legendary martlet bird, whose inability to land is often seen to symbolize the constant quest for knowledge, learning, and adventure. The Martlet is partly funded by student fees.

The University of Victoria Students Society (UVSS)
The Society represents the undergraduate student body, plans campus wide events and maintains the Student Union Building. The University of Victoria Students Society also conducts annual, university wide elections to select its new heads. The annual operating budget of the society is approximately $10,000,000.

The University of Victoria Graduate Student Society(GSS)
The GSS offers services and support for UVic's 3,000 Graduate students. The society publication is called "The Unacknowledged Source" and features content for and by Graduate students.

CFUV
A campus/community radio station serving Greater Victoria at 101.9 and, via cable on 104.3, Vancouver Island and many areas in the lower mainland and North Western Washington State.

Athletics
The university is represented in the Canada West Universities Athletics Association (CWUAA), Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS), and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) by the team Victoria Vikes.

The university currently has teams in the following sports:
 * Basketball (M/W)
 * Cross Country & Track (M/W)
 * Field Hockey (M/W)
 * Golf (M/W)
 * Rowing (M/W)
 * Rugby (M/W)
 * Soccer (M/W)
 * Swimming (M/W)

Sports Hall of Fame
The UVic Charter Inductees are as follows:


 * Lorne Loomer: Rowing Coach - Builder/Administrator
 * Wally Milligan: Men's Soccer Coach - Builder/Administrator
 * Gareth Rees: Rugby - Athlete Category
 * Ken Shields: Basketball - Coach Category
 * Kathy Shields: Basketball - Coach Category

Canadian Inter-University Sports(CIS) Championships

Men's basketball: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1997

Women's basketball: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1992, 1998, 2000, 2003

Men's cross-country: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998

Women's cross-country: 1981, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002

Women's field hockey: 1985, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2008

Men's soccer: 1976, 1988, 1997, 2004

Women's soccer: 2005

Canadian University Championship Titles

Men's rugby: 1998, 1999

Men's rowing: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2009

Women's rowing: 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

Men's golf: 2003

Fight Song
Notable among a number of songs commonly played and sung at various events such as commencement and convocation, and athletic games is 'Rack and Ruin' a reminder of the tradition of the founding Victoria College. "Rack and Ruin, Blood and Gore, Victoria College Evermore!"

Frosh Week
The first week of school and a celebration of admission to the University. The engineering faculty plans specific "extra curricular" activities for the aspiring engineers. During "Weeks of Welcome" second year students teach the fresh class of undergraduates how the University operates.

Martlet
The Martlet adorns many parts of the University of Victoria, including the crest, coast of arms, and flag. The legendary martlet bird's inability to land is often seen to symbolize the constant quest for knowledge, learning, and adventure. The oldest student newspaper on campus is named after the elusive bird.

Sport Clubs
UVic has 26 sport clubs which are administered by Vikes Recreation and run by students.

Presidents

 * W. Harry Hickman, 1963-1964 (Acting)
 * Malcolm G. Taylor, 1964-1968
 * Robert T. D. Wallace, 1968-1969 (Acting)
 * Bruce J. Partridge, 1969-1972
 * Hugh E. Farquhar, 1972-1974
 * Stephen A. Jennings, 1974 (Acting)
 * Howard E. Petch, 1975-1990
 * David F. Strong, 1990-2000
 * David H. Turpin, 2000-present

Notable faculty (past and present)

 * Alan Astbury, physics professor emeritus, he was part of the Nobel-prize winning discovery of a new subatomic particle, and eventually won the Rutherford Medal and Prize for physics.
 * Mowry Baden, sculptor, winner of the 2008 Governor General's Award in Visual Arts
 * David D. Balam, a Canadian astronomer, Asteroid 3749 Balam is named after Balam
 * Benjamin Butterfield, internationally acclaimed operatic tenor.
 * Brian Christie, Associate professor of Medicine and Neuroscience, and active researcher
 * Harold Coward, a world-reowned scholar in religious studies and a president of Academy 2 of the Royal Society of Canada
 * William Gaddes, noted Canadian psychologist and one of the first specialists in learning disorders in BC.
 * Werner Israel, a Canadian physicist, discovered the important phenomenon of mass inflation (Together with Stephen Hawking, he has coedited two important celebratory volumes).
 * Stephen Arthur Jennings, a mathematician who made significant breakthroughs in the study of modular representation theory
 * Mary Kerr, production designer for the 1994 Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremony.
 * Patrick Lane, a Canadian poet, the recipient of almost every major literary prize in Canada.
 * Hal Lawrence, World War II veteran and historian.
 * Marshall McCall, scientist, expert on the chemical evolution of galaxies.
 * Erich Mohr, researcher in experimental therapeutics for central nervous system disorders.
 * Julio Navarro (astrophysicist) involved in formulating a density profile for dark matter halos.
 * Jesse Read, musical conductor, composer, and bassoonist.
 * Otfried Spreen, neuropsychologist and aphasia researcher.
 * Don VandenBerg internationally acclaimed astrophysicist for his work on modelling stars.
 * Andrew Weaver, one of the world's leading climate researchers, member of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was co-awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, along with Al Gore and member of the British Columbia's Climate Action Team.
 * Anne Zeller, a physical anthropologist who specializes in the study of primates.
 * Giselle O. Martin-Kniep, an educator who focuses on learning communities.

Notable alumni
The university counts over 88,000 alumni. Some notable alumni follow.

Government/Public sector

 * George Abbott, British Columbia's Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation
 * Rona Ambrose, Federal Minister of Labour
 * Ric Careless, one of B.C.'s leaders in wilderness preservation, named Environmentalist of the Year (1991) by Equinox Magazine and River Conservationist of the Year (1993) by American Rivers.
 * Murray Coell, British Columbia's Minister of Labour, former Mayor of Saanich, British Columbia Municipality
 * Barbara Hall, former Mayor of Toronto (1994-1997).
 * Colin Hansen, British Columbia's Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier
 * Derrick Haro, Canadian Diplomat (1953-1993)
 * Gary Lunn, federal Minister of State (Sport).
 * Lorna Marsden, A former president of York University.
 * Barry Penner, British Columbia's Minister of Environment (former president of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER)).
 * Tamara Vrooman, former Deputy Minister of Finance of British Columbia and current Vancity CEO
 * Emmanuel Brunet-Jailly, public policy scholar, editor of the Journal of Borderland studies
 * Andrew Petter, Canadian constitutional law scholar, former Attorney-General of B.C., and current President of Simon Fraser University

Entertainment and Arts sector

 * Rick Gibson, sculptor and performance artist
 * Kim Adams, internationally known sculptor
 * Calvin Chen, completed his masters degree in Economics, he is currently a singer and actor as a member in the popular Taiwanese boy band Fahrenheit.
 * Aislinn Hunter, Canadian poet and fiction author.
 * Bill Burns, conceptual artist
 * Erin Karpluk, actress current starring as Erica Strange on CBC's Being Erica
 * Amiel Gladstone internationally produced playwright and director
 * Aaron McArthur, Global Television BC reporter
 * Peter Outerbridge, Genie-nominated actor in such movies as Kissed and Saw VI
 * Nilesh Patel (filmmaker)
 * W. P. Kinsella, Canadian novelist well-known for his novel Shoeless Joe (1982) which was adapted into the movie Field of Dreams
 * Jessica Stockholder, artist
 * Peter Verin, UVic's resident 'philosopher'.
 * Eva Markvoort Markvoort of ''65 Redroses
 * Hailey O'Neill, an amateur comedian that played a major role in comedic relief during CTRFE 2010.

Athletes/Sports sector

 * Kirsten Barnes, two-time Olympic gold medalist in rowing (Barcelona, 1992)
 * Gareth Rees, CEO for Rugby Canada and Canada's all-time leading goal scorer in Rugby
 * Kyle Hamilton, gold medalist at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the men's eights (rowing)
 * Ken Shields, former basketball head coach of Canadian National Team.
 * Alison Sydor, world mountain bike champion who won three world mountain bike championships gold medals (was awarded the Velma Springstead Trophy as Canada's top female athlete in 1995 and 1996)
 * Stephanie Dixon, swimmer, gold medalist in Paralympic Games Athena 2004 and Sydney 2000, other numerous medals in the Pan American Games
 * Ryan Cochrane, 2008 Olympic bronze in the men's 1500m freestyle.
 * Lauren Woolstencroft, eight-time Paralympics gold medalist in alpine skiing. Currently (2010) holds the record for most gold medals ever won by a Paralympian.
 * Steve Nash, two-time NBA MVP and member of the Phoenix Suns.

Business sector

 * Stewart Butterfield, Canadian-born entrepreneur and businessman, co-founded the photo sharing website Flickr and its parent company Ludicorp.
 * Jeff Mallett, former president and chief operating officer of Yahoo
 * Peter Ciceri, former vice-president of Compaq Computer Corporation, U.S.A
 * Richard Flury, former chief executive of BP.
 * Mark Hill, co-founder and former Vice-President of WestJet.
 * Bob Cummings, Executive Vice-President - Guest Experience and Marketing of WestJet.
 * Tim Price, chair and director of Trilon Financial Corporation.
 * Sheridan Scott, former head of Competition Bureau of Canada and a vice-president of Bell Canada.

Honours
The asteroid 150145 UVic was named in the university's honour on 1 June 2007. UVic was the first university in BC to have an asteroid named after it.