Here Are All of the KSA Services You Pay for But Might Not Use

Guess what? You’re probably spending money on a bunch of stuff you’re probably not even aware of.

At KPU, tuition fees that go to the KSA pay for access to a wide variety of products, services, discounts, memberships, and other things that most students never end up using. Here’s everything you might be missing out on.

MultiPass

You may have heard of this one because it’s one of the more expensive fees that actually helps get a lot of students to school every day. The MultiPass allows KPU students unlimited rides on any Translink bus, Skytrain, or Seabus in any zone at any time, and also provides access to HandyDART services for people with disabilities.

The Multipass program does more, though. Any KPU student has unlimited access to the KPU shuttles and free bike locker rentals. It also provides discounted pricing for trips on the West Coast Express, a $5 monthly membership at Steve Nash Fitness World, and a free 20 minutes of ride-sharing services through Car2Go.

The only downside is that, under KSA’s contract with TransLink, it’s very difficult to opt out of the $51 per month fee, even if you’re paying for a car and don’t use these public services.

Active KSA

Active KSA organizes fun events throughout the semester that KPU students can sign up for, ranging from free hikes to on-campus sports to discounted indoor activities. Examples include indoor paintballing on Oct.19, bowling on Oct. 24, and archery on Nov. 26.

A wide variety of on-campus wellness and fitness classes are available for students and faculty for free as well. Classes include Hatha and Power Yoga, TRX suspension training, mindful movement and Zen Yoga, and more. On top of all of that, discounted personal and small group strength training and other courses are offered.

The REBOOT Program

Students also have access to free computer software support through KSA’s REBOOT program. Technicians will help students with backing up personal data, virus and spyware removal, operating system installation, and diagnosing issues with hardware. If you need new hardware to fix your computer, they will provide free estimates and get you a good deal on replacement parts.

The REBOOT program is available on the Surrey campus in Cedar 1225 from Monday to Thursday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. On Richmond campus, it’s available in Room 1280 at the same times from Wednesday to Friday.

If you cannot access the REBOOT program during these hours, contact them at reboot@kusa.ca or give them a call at 604.599.2348 to get in touch with a technician.

Health and Dental

The most expensive service KPU students pay for is extended medical and dental coverage. However, considering the services provided, including free teeth cleanings, it’s pretty obviously worth it to students who actually take advantage of the services they are paying for.

There are quite a few benefits provided by the KSA Student Health and Dental Plan. Eight per cent of an ambulance trip can be covered by 80 per cent to a maximum of $250 per occurrence. The services of various types of mental health practitioners—including any registered clinical counsellor, psychologist, social worker (clinical or otherwise), member of British Columbia Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, and Canadian certified counsellor—can also be reimbursed by 80 per cent. So can medical equipment prescribed by a physician, orthopaedics ($150 per foot), dental accidents, and equipment like braces, crutches, splints, and trusses. Prosthesis, artificial limbs or other prosthetic appliances are covered too.

The list goes on. Student Health and Dental also covers travel insurance, accidental death or dismemberment, and critical illness as well as a mental health assessment through the KSA website. This can be used for reference to additional resources catered to your medical needs.

The Peer Support Program 

The Peer Support Resource Centre is another service that you get access to for being a KPU student. According to the KSA’s website, the student-led initiative aims to “foster optimal mental health and holistic well-being within our KPU community.”

Volunteers at the Peer Support Resource Centre do this in different ways. They offer group social and wellness activities through their Chatterbox program, one-on-one support services, referrals, resources, and mental health awareness events on campus.

You can learn more by visiting the resource centre (Birch 230) on Monday to Thursday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. They are also running their Pieces of Mind Mental Health Conference on Wednesday, October 23 from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm in the Spruce Atrium. It is free for all students and faculty.

On Campus Locker Services

Did you know that you can get a free locker every semester? If you’re tired of carrying around heavy books, laptops, school supplies, and whatever else, head down to Members Services with your student card to sign up for the price of a lock, which you can buy on the spot if you don’t already have one. Make sure to renew it every semester, though. If your locker is not cleared out after a certain date, they will cut the lock and donate your locker’s contents!

KPU Tech Discount Auto-Repair

At the Cloverdale Trades Campus, students can get their cars fixed by other KPU students. Pay for new parts at just above cost without having to pay for labour in order to save a lot of money on repairs.

Off Campus Housing

The KSA has recently partnered with Off Campus Housing 101, which provides a free website for students looking for off-campus accommodations. Visit kusa.och101.com to check the current listings around KPU.

BC Bookwork

Textbooks can add hundreds of dollars to the cost of each semester. This online service helps students buy and sell used textbooks in order to save money. Registration for the service is free for KPU students.

Student Rights Centre

As a KPU student, you are entitled to ensure that your rights are being maintained and protected. That can be overwhelming to do alone, so the Student Rights Centre does most of it for you. It assists students involved in conflicts with administration and faculty, academic conflicts, misconduct accusations, and complaints about KPU staff. Learn more about the services they provide at www.kusa.ca/studentrights/, where you can also submit a KSA advocacy request.

KSA Student Food Bank

Post-secondary education gets expensive and can limit our ability to work full time as students. When money gets tight, the KSA doesn’t want you to have to sacrifice your access to food. Their anonymous food bank system provides emergency groceries to students on all campuses. Simply fill out a request form at http://www.kusa.ca/foodbank/.

There you have it. Oh, you can also get free condoms and menstrual products as a KPU student. That’s pretty cool! Head down to the Members Services office at your KPU Campus to grab some.