We have curated a collection of supports designed for specific equity groups. Recognizing that these categories are limited and intersections are common, please review more than one category if you can’t find what you are looking for at first.
This is not an exhaustive list, but provides a place to start.
If you would like to see something added to this list, please email studentadv.coord@sfss.ca
South Asian Diaspora Community Healing Space
South Asian Diaspora Community Healing Space is a support group for students who have cultural or personal ties to South Asia. The goal of the group is to provide a healing space for students who have cultural or personal ties to South Asia to connect with others and offer peer-to-peer support facilitated by HCS staff. Any students who self-identify as South Asian, have lived in South Asia, have family in South Asia, or have cultural ties or roots to South Asia are welcome.
International Student Services
Office: 778.782.4232
Iss_office@sfu.ca
ISS offers supports and services to international students and to students seeking info regarding international learning opportunities. ISS works with faculty wishing to develop international and intercultural learning opportunities.
The David Lam Centre has served as an active link between SFU and the wider community over the past two decades and has supported activities related to intercultural communication through the teaching of Korean, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese. It has also sponsored frequent academic and public events related to Asian art, literature, history, film and philosophy. Beyond this work the Centre has made its expertise and resources available in support of organizations that share an interest in fostering intercultural understanding.
Anti Asian Racism
Hearing news about anti-Asian racism and violence is upsetting and may affect members of the Asian community more acutely. If you are in need of support, please reach out.
Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry
SFU Students of Caribbean and African Ancestry (SOCA) formerly known as African Caribbean Heritage Students Association (ACHSA) was started in 1994 to bring together students of Black, African, and African Descent to promote the acceptance of the varied African Diasporic and Afro-Canadian culture at SFU. The SOCA Black Student Support Centre is located on the first floor of the SUB and provides support, community building, and a great place to meet other folks with similar backgrounds.
Club mandate: Celebrating African diversity and unity. ASA is a student group engaging students of African descent and all those interested in positive discourse on Africa. Our mission is to focus solely on Africa, its issues and progress.
Black Student Support Centre Coordinator
Contact Muna to discuss the SOCA BSSC in the SUB and to connect with more resources.
This award-winning online magazine, funded by the Government of Canada, offers a list of job postings and a free business directory for Black Canadian-owned businesses.
Tricia-Kay Williams is available to Black SFU students and recent alumni for ongoing, one-to-one counselling (for a maximum of 10 sessions / per issue).
Black Student Support and Healing Space
Black Student Support and Healing Space is a support group for Black students. The goal of this group is to create space for Black students to feel comfortable talking about Black experiences surrounding racism in a group setting.
Healing in Colour envisions a world where BIPOC, in all our intersections, have access to therapy that supports our healing and liberation.
Vancouver Black Therapy Foundation
VBT&AF is a non-profit organization committed to connecting black community members to mental health resources such as free therapy and advocacy service
Important reconciliation and decolonization work is being done across SFU by individuals, teams and departments as the university continues to transform and become a leader in Indigenizing our curriculum.
The Bill Reid Centre for Northwest Coast Studies (BRC) was founded in 2005 by Dr. George MacDonald, Bill Reid’s friend and colleague. The Centre aims to support reconciliation by creating a vibrant collaborative space founded on respect and admiration of differences, where Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars, artists, students, curators, and cultural practitioners come together to share their diverse ways of knowing, being and doing.
SFU Indigenous Studies, INDG(formerly First Nations Studies) is committed to providing you a progressive, comprehensive learning experience rooted in both traditional and contemporary Indigenous logic, practice and theory.
Indigenous University Preparation Program
The Indigenous University Preparation Program (IUPP) at Simon Fraser University helps you pave the way for a successful transition to undergraduate studies. Our program offers first-year academic credit courses that integrate humanities and social sciences with Indigenous perspectives.
Indigenous Language Academic Programs
The Indigenous Languages Program (INLP) works with First Nations speech communities and organizations to enable Indigenous language learning off-campus in First Nations languages communities. Since 1993 and in partnership with First Nations organizations, we have offered courses in some 18 languages in British Columbia and the Yukon. INLP resides in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) at SFU.
The Indigenous Languages Program (INLP) works with First Nations speech communities and organizations to enable Indigenous language learning off-campus in First Nations languages communities. Since 1993 and in partnership with First Nations organizations, we have offered courses in some 18 languages in British Columbia and the Yukon. INLP resides in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) at SFU.
The ISC works to facilitate a successful transition for Indigenous students through application and enrollment to the student support environment of the ISC and the SFU community. We offer an Indigenous, culturally respectful, relevant, responsible, and reciprocal learning environment.
ímesh, meaning “to walk” in Sḵwx̱wú7mesh snichim (Squamish Language), is a mobile app developed by the Bill Reid Centre intended to be a step toward decolonizing the university and the surrounding landscape. The goal of the app is to facilitate an embodied experience of the Indigenous art on campus, and to create a stronger awareness of the Coast Salish territories on which SFU is situated.
First Nations, Metis and Inuit Student Association (FNMISA)
The First Nation Student Association (FNMISA) is where the medicine happens. It is an Indigenous student-run association within Simon Fraser University. The FNSA’s purposes are to provide a variety of support functions to First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
The Office for Aboriginal Peoples (OAP) was established in 2009 and its first Director, William G. Lindsay, began his tenure in January 2010. The mandate of the OAP is to take the lead on implementing the Aboriginal Strategic Plan, a comprehensive document covering all things “Aboriginal” at SFU.
Supporting Aboriginal Graduate Enhancement Programs (SAGE)
SAGE is a peer-mentoring, inter-institutional initiative provided to graduate students across British Columbia. SAGE is hosted at the University of British Columbia in collaboration with Simon Fraser University and has “pods” at the University of Victoria, UBC Okanagan, University of Northern British Columbia, and University of Toronto.
Executive MBA in Indigenous Business Leadership
The SFU Executive MBA in Indigenous Business and Leadership (EMBA IBL) is offered as a cohort under the Executive MBA (EMBA) program and is the only accredited MBA program in North America addressing Indigenous business, economic development and entrepreneurship.
The Faculty of Education is committed to collaborative work with diverse Indigenous communities and organizations as well as with individual students and educators in a range of rural and urban locations. Our Indigenous focus is inclusive of Aboriginal peoples in Canada (First Nations, Metis, Inuit) as well as Indigenous peoples from other countries.
Native Youth Sexual Health Network
An organization by and for Indigenous youth that works on issues of sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice throughout the United States and Canada. Links to A First Nations Sexual Health Toolkit, Two Spirit Mentors Support Circle, and Indigenous Young Women’s Leadership Project are available at this site
International Student Services
ISS offers support and services to international students and to students seeking info regarding international learning opportunities. ISS works with faculty wishing to develop international and intercultural learning opportunities. See the following links for more information.
Advising
International Student Advising and Programs provides various options for advising for those with confidential questions about immigration-related or other personal matters (International Student Advisors/Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants).
COVID Support
If you are in self-isolation or need to self-isolate, connect with the SFU COVID Assistance and Remote Engagement Support (CARES) Program.
Health Insurance
Guard.me is a private health care service that SFU automatically enrolls International Students in and it covers you until you are eligible for the provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP) the third month after you arrive in Canada. This private plan often costs more than MSP, so International students should apply for MSP and opt out of Guard.me as soon as possible. Individuals are automatically re-enrolled if they do not opt out, even if they have MSP coverage.
You will need to complete an individual enrollment in MSP form (form 102), along with any required documentation.
If you are an international student enrolled in Guard.me: following the submission and processing of your form (typically a few weeks), contact Health Insurance BC (HIBC) at 1-800-663-7100 and request a letter confirming your enrollment. Once you receive this letter, upload it at www.guard.me/sfu to opt-out and receive a refund where applicable. If you receive your MSP card before the letter arrives, you may use that instead to opt-out. TSSU members may also be eligible to have their Guard.me and MSP premiums paid for by SFU.
See more information here from our friends at the TSSU.
Managers are available for individual support with managing school stress, finding housing, understanding documents, or understanding Canadian services.
Counselling
SFU and FIC students can connect with My SSP and request to make an appointment with a culturally relevant counsellor with similar lived experience. My SSP is available 24/7 by phone or chat and is accessible worldwide, with multiple language options available.
Connected Globally, Adjusting Locally
This is a group for international students from SFU and FIC to meet others, ask questions, and learn strategies to overcome challenges connected with online learning; including sleep, school/life balance, time management, procrastination, and motivation.
Meeting Others
The Global Student Center Lounge is a place to study, hang out with friends or simply take a break.
Out On Campus (OOC) is SFU’s LGBTQIA2S+ centre, brought to you by the SFSS with further support from the GSS. OOC provides a safer space for people of all genders and sexuality. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, OOC has created a Discord Server open to all SFU and FIC students, where you can connect to SFU’s queer community, access peer support from staff with mental health first aid training and other students, and join community-building events that will support your wellbeing and social connection. You can also sign up for their newsletter where you’ll receive regular updates about upcoming online events, links to online resources to support your mental health and wellbeing, and links to financial support available to you.
SFU Health provides trauma informed LGBTQIA2S+ gender-affirming care to support students’ diverse needs. Connect with an Access Case Manager at a Zoom drop-in for information about service options and providers, or make an appointment with Barb, Registered Nurse.
You can also visit:
Vaccines for Hep A/B/HPV are offered through SFU Health. Blood tests for Hep A may be required first. Prep/PEP can be prescribed by our doctors for free, if you are eligible, and the prescription can be picked up at our clinics. Learn more about PrEP/PEP
SFU Burnaby Washrooms
Find a universal/all-gender washroom on campus if you prefer to use gender-inclusive washrooms.
The guide Knowing Your Rights: A Toolkit for 2SLGBTQIA+ Folks In Navigating Criminal Justice, Health Care and Youth Issues, available for free online, covers everything from sexuality and gender charter protections to the right to gender-affirming medical care, legal accommodations, how to find a lawyer, and medical privacy rights for youth under 18.
The Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies
In addition to its regular programming and course offerings on LGBTQ issues and ideas, the Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies is committed to supporting local LGBTQ programs and organizations in the Lower Mainland, and in particular, the generation of queer intergenerational dialogue.
SFU Health is here to support you as you make informed choices and changes. If you’re interested in receiving hormone injections, talk to a doctor at our clinic first and afterwards, book with one of our nurses for weekly injections. Read more about hormone therapy.
LGBT Youth Line
www.youthline.ca
Peer support phone line for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, Two-spirited, queer and questioning youth.
1-800-268-9688
Trans Lifeline
www.translifeline.org
Peer support phone line run by transgender people for transgender people.
1-877-330-6366
Catherine White Holman Wellness Centre: Free Counseling and Legal Assistance
We provide low-barrier wellness services to transgender and gender non-conforming people in a way that is respectful and celebratory of clients’ identity and self-expression. Our centre is volunteer run, and all of our practitioners are volunteering their time, so that we can offer free services to people who need them, regardless of factors like citizenship, health insurance, or residential address.
Qmunity is what happens when queer, trans, and Two-Spirit folks looking for a sense of community come together to meet, guide, and support each other. They offer specific services for youth under age 25.
YouthCO is an organization of youth leaders within the HIV and Hep C movements. Our staff, volunteers, and Board members are all youth! Throughout our HIV and Hep C work, we work to be accountable to our values, and we take a peer approach to conversations about sexual health, harm reduction, and stigma.
Online counseling with a specific focus on serving the LGBTQ2+ community. Pro Bono and Sliding Scale options are available. The Community Access Fund is reserved exclusively for LGBTQ2IA+ folx, with priority being given to those living with multiple intersections, particularly BIPOC and Disabled folx. They welcome those experiencing financial barriers to accessing mental health services (including HRT and Surgical Readiness Assessments) to contact us to inquire about available funds.
Have we missed something awesome? Please let us know! Email suggestions to studentadv.coord@sfss.ca
Centre for Accessible Learning
Grievances with CAL
Located on the first floor of the SUB, this is a comfortable space dedicated for students with disabilities to build community. Contact Breanna at accessibility@sfss.ca!
Disability and Neurodiversity Alliance (DNA)
SFU Library
Accessible Parking
Campus Accessibility Maps and Info
Assistive Technology
Provincial Grants and Bursaries
Part-Time Students with a Permanent Disability
Loan Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers With a Permanent Disability
Canada RAP-PD and B.C. RAP-PD have the same eligibility requirements. You may be eligible for Canada and B.C. RAP-PD if you:
Have we missed something awesome? Please let us know! Email suggestions to studentadv.coord@sfss.ca
Regardless of your orientation or identity, the Women’s Centre is a space that is dedicated to providing education and services to all visitors, including allies. So, feel free to stop by anytime to ask us questions, access our library, eat your lunch on our couches, or just say hi to staff and volunteers.
The Women’s Centre provides services to students of all genders, including:
Pap/Smear tests
A pap or smear test is used to screen and help diagnose precancerous conditions of the internal sexual and reproductive health organs (cervix, vagina, rectum). Anyone with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 69 should be screened for cervical cancer every three years. Read more about cervical cancer screening here.
Most types of internal genital cancers can be prevented by getting your HPV vaccine.
SFU Health offers Gardasil-9 (HPV Vaccine) at $170.00/dose. This is a series of 3 doses recommended. Book an appointment with a nurse or speak to a nurse about any questions you may have by calling us at 778.782.4615. If you have not completed your HPV vaccine series, you may be eligible for a publicly funded vaccine. View our vaccine webpage for more information.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) & Testing
Symptoms can include burning, pain or discomfort when you pass urine, and frequent urination. If you think you may have a UTI, make an appointment to see a doctor and have urine test done in clinic at SFU or at LifeLabs (located across the Lower Mainland).
Mindful Medicine for Women of Colour
This is a group that explores issues related to diversity, equity, restorative justice, and self-care.
Sexual Violence Support and Prevention Office
Goals: 1) To offer survivor-centered trauma informed supports, referrals and information to Survivors of sexual violence and misconduct
2) To provide support, referrals and information to all those impacted by sexual violence and misconduct, including those who receive disclosures of sexual violence and misconduct
3) To eliminate barriers to supports and services for LGBTQ2S+ people, Indigenous people, people of colour, international students, sex workers, people with disabilities, and people from all ages, classes and cultures
4) To provide education and training to SFU’s three campus communities and Fraser International College (FIC) on responding to disclosures of sexual violence and misconduct, active bystander intervention, consent, media literacy, healthy relationships, Policy GP 44 and other related issues
5) To work closely and collaborate with on and off campus groups, organizations and other institutions of higher education to enhance our work
6) Policy Review: Participate in the periodic evaluations of Policy GP 44 and its related initiatives
Safe Walk
Burnaby: 778.782.3100
Surrey: 778.782.7070 Vancouver: 778.782.5029
The Safe Walk Program provides a security escort to support individual safe travel on campus 24/7.
Vancouver Crisis Hotline:
604-872-3311
BC 211: Dial 211
confidential, multilingual telephone service available 24/7
Trans Lifeline:
877-330-6366
Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre:
604-255-6344
Battered Women’s Support Services:
604-687-1867
KUU-US Crisis Line Society
Toll-free: 1-800-588-8717
– Youth Line: 250-723-2040
– Adult Line: 250-723-4050.
First Nations and Aboriginal specific 24/7 crisis line based in Port Alberni and serving the entire province.
