July 31, 2015

 

 

SFSS Advocacy Success: SFU Library To Open 24/7 During Summer Exams

 

July 30, 2015 – Burnaby, BC — The SFSS advocacy committee has worked with staff from the SFU library to increase availability of services during exams, resulting in an extension of the W.A.C. Bennett Library hours during the summer exam period to 24/7 status from Aug 7th – Aug 22nd.

 

“We have been working with the SFU library to enhance availability of services and facilities for students during these crucial exam periods,” explains Brady Yano, SFSS VP University Relations, “and our efforts have paid off. This is the first time the library services are to become available 24/7 during summer exams, and with the help of the team at the SFU library, we can evaluate the interest from SFU students in this initiative.”

 

The SFSS has had previous success advocating for extended library hours. The first 24/7 extended library hours were the result of SFSS advocacy efforts in Spring of 2012, and the success continued into Fall of 2012.

 

“We knew in 2012 that students needed access to space for studying late at night. It needed to be warm, safe, well-lit, and have computers. Students weren’t asking for overnight research assistance or reference service, just for the space to be kept open. The fact that the 24/7 hours have remained in effect for three years and is now expanding to include the summer term proves that students need and appreciate space at the Burnaby campus,” added Marc Fontaine, Build SFU General Manager who advocated for SFU library extended hours in 2012.

 

Since 2012, the student need for space and access to facilities has been steadily growing, as shown by the annual SFU Undergraduate Student Survey that places facilities as one of the top two student concerns, next to student life, every year since 2008.

 

“The SFSS is working hard to increase its proactivity, to provide real solutions for real student needs, and the SFU staff and administration have proven to be a great partner, working with us to effectively remedy select student issues,” said Yano, adding that the need for more student space and increased access to facilities is a persistent and growing problem for the burgeoning SFU student population.

 

For more information, please contact the SFSS Communications Department, 778.782.6565, communications@sfss.ca.