Support and Advocacy at SFU
There area few specific people who are dedicated to supporting students through challenging situations and navigating SFU’s policies and procedures.
- The SFSS Student Advocate: works on behalf of undergraduates.
- The GSS Advocate: works on behalf of graduate students.
- The Ombuds Office: NEUTRAL party who serves both students AND the University.
- Human Rights Office (HRO): The HRO handles complaints from students, staff, and faculty under SFU’s human rights policy which prohibits discrimination and harassment.
- SFU Bullying and Harassment Central Hub: Support and services are available to anyone impacted by bullying and harassment at SFU. Bullying and harassment includes any inappropriate conduct or comment by a person towards a member of the University Community (student, staff or faculty) that the person knew or reasonably ought to have known would cause the member of the University Community to be humiliated or intimidated.
- Office of Student Supports Rights and Responsibilities: The Office of Student Support, Rights & Responsibilities is a resource for students, faculty and staff. Students can find out about their responsibilities and rights as members of the SFU community, and learn about the supports available to them. Faculty and staff can share concerns and consult with the office to ensure appropriate responses and level of supports are provided to students.
Legal Assistance
- SFSS Free Legal Clinic: Have a dilemma for which you need legal counsel? Need papers notarized? Our clinic provides those services free for graduate or undergraduate students at SFU.
- Law Students’ Legal Advice Program: LSLAP is a non-profit run by law students at the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the University of British Columbia. They provide free legal advice and representation to clients in the Lower Mainland who would otherwise be unable to afford legal assistance. They started a new “Animal Law Clinic” Program in October 2020 too!
- Indigenous Community Law Clinic: The Indigenous Community Legal Clinic (ICLC) is an educational legal clinic of the Peter A. Allard School of Law at the UBC that provides legal services to the Indigenous community. They may be able to provide advice, assistance and representation to eligible clients who cannot afford a lawyer and who self-identify as Indigenous persons.
- Legal Aid BC: Every year Legal Aid BC helps tens of thousands of British Columbians with serious family problems, child protection matters, immigration issues, and criminal law issues. They do this by providing a range of services that help people resolve their legal problems. Services are offered at legal aid locations throughout the province. Eligibility is tied to financial income.
- Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS): CLAS is a non-profit law firm serving people in BC since 1971. We provide legal assistance and work to advance the law to address the critical needs of those who are disadvantaged or face discrimination. Through their program ‘Stand Informed’ CLAS directly supports those who have experienced sexual assault with free legal advice.
- Stand Informed (sexualized violence legal support): Stand Informed provides up to 3 hours of free and confidential legal advice to anyone in British Columbia who has been sexually assaulted.
- Access Pro Bono BC operate a free lawyer referral service and several pro bono programs serving the critical legal needs of people and non-profit organizations across BC.
- BC Human Rights Clinic provide free legal services to people who need help with a provincial human rights complaint.
- Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) – UBC Chapter: Pro Bono Students Canada is on a mission to provide free legal support to people and communities facing barriers to justice.
- Tenant Resource and Advisory Centre (TRAC): TRAC is a non-profit organization that provides free legal education, representation, and advocacy on residential tenancy matters. A leader in tenants’ rights since 1984, TRAC’s mandate is to enhance legal protections for all tenants living in British Columbia.
- Justice Education Society: The Justice Education Society (JES) is a non-profit organization that empowers people to access and deliver justice in Canada and globally.
- Legal Help BC: Get answers to frequently asked legal questions.
- Dial 211 on the phone to speak with a Resource Navigator and find specific resources to help you address your situation. This is a free service in British Columbia run by United Way BC.
Accessibility
- Centre For Accessible Learning: CAL provides disability related information and support to the SFU community and campus visitors, and act as liaison between students and faculty in the implementation of disability-related services and accommodations. We facilitate student growth and leadership skills. The Centre advocates on issues related to diversity, educational equity, and academic achievement.
- SFU library: provides services specifically for students with disabilities.
- Campus Community Shuttle: this free shuttle can help you get across campus more easily. (Continued Status for 2021/2022 confirmed!)
- Disabled Parking: Some spaces have been designated as reserved spaces for those with physical limitations and are reserved 24 hours daily. If you have a long-term or short-term mobility limitation (eg. a broken leg or ankle etc), you can apply for special parking.
- FIRST: You will need a special form completed by your doctor to get a SPARC placard.
- SECOND: contact SPARC BC and pay $26 (hardship assistance is available through SPARC). This can be done in person in Burnaby or by mail.
- THIRD: contact SFU Parking and Sustainable Mobilty or work with your CAL Advisor.
Campus Life
Student Learning Commons (SLC)
– Burnaby/Vancouver:
learning-commons@sfu.ca
778.782.4648
– Surrey:
slc-surrey@sfu.ca
778.782.7614
The SLC offers expert and friendly help with academic writing, learning, and study strategies in an environment of collaboration, discussion, and peer learning.
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