Back to school: A guide to student services and initiatives at KPU

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The fall semester is underway at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, officially ending the summer semester break.

For some students, this fall may be their final semester at KPU before graduating and entering a new stage in their lives. For others, this may be the beginning of their academic journey or another chapter in their post-secondary careers.  

Here is a breakdown of KPU’s services and initiatives for new and returning students to explore. 

Indigenous student services

Officially opened in 2010, the Gathering Place is located on KPU’s Surrey campus in the Main building. Its goal is “to create an inviting gathering place for all students” and provide a space that supports social and educational activities and recognizes the important contribution of Indigenous nations, KPU’s website reads. 

Lekeyten, KPU’s Elder in residence since 2015, helps promote understanding and respect for Indigenous culture and perspectives through sharing knowledge, traditions, and teachings with KPU students and employees. He also aims to support and encourage Indigenous students in their educational journey as a part of his role at KPU. 

Students can also complete a free online Indigenous student orientation, available on the university’s Community Moodle, to help provide a smooth transition into post-secondary studies. 

The Indigenous Book Club is another platform that gives students and faculty the opportunity to learn about Indigenous authors and their works. It is also a “space for new learning, respectful sharing and inquiry, and collaboration by bringing together students, faculty, staff, and Elders,” reads KPU’s website. Students can join the book club by filling out the form on www.kpu.ca/indigenous/book-club. 

To stay updated about community events and announcements, students can follow the Gathering Place’s Facebook page. 

KPU library

Libraries at the Surrey, Richmond, Langley, and Tech campuses are places to study, meet with classmates for a group project, and complete assignments. 

The library at the Surrey campus is divided into three floors, separated based on sound levels. The first floor, also known as the collaborative zone, allows for discussion and teamwork with peers. The second floor, or the quiet zone, features group study rooms and shared spaces for teamwork. The third floor is dedicated to individual and silent study. 

Students can reserve a study room at all four locations for a time limit of two hours. There are also tech-enabled study rooms, which feature LCD screens and sound-projecting options. 

One-day laptop loans are also available at all KPU library locations on a daily first-come, first-serve basis. As of September last year, laptops are no longer loaned on a semesterly basis. Students can also borrow various technical equipment including voice recorders, cameras, bluetooth speakers, and more by filling out an equipment request form. 

KPU library’s Summon Search is a tool for students to do research for their assignments. The fast search engine helps students access various books, articles, newspapers, conference proceedings, government documents, videos, and more. 

The libraries also extend their hours of operation during exam season. To learn more about the KPU library and what it offers, visit www.kpu.ca/library. 

Learning Centres

The four Learning Centres at KPU provide various services, including peer tutors and learning strategists, workshops, and writing help.

At KPU libraries, the Surrey campus’ Learning Centre is in Atrium A1650 on the main floor, while the Richmond centre is located in Room 1100. At the Langley campus, the Learning Centre is in the West building’s Room 2070, and the centre is in Room 606 at the Civic Plaza.

Peer tutors are KPU students who work with students to break down course material in addition to helping them prepare for exams. 

To book a session with a peer tutor, students can register via the KPU TutorOcean platform, enter the subject or course they need help with in the search bar, select the location they would like to schedule the session at, and choose an available tutor from the schedule panel.

On the same platform, students can also book an individual consultation with a learning strategist. Learning strategists are faculty members who work with students to help with studying for tests and exams, reading effectively, understanding assignments, and managing time. 

Students can also register for free online workshops that cover topics such as basic Excel skills, writing and editing e-portfolios, and formatting assignments with Word, among others. Those interested in attending workshops can visit www.kpu.ca/learningcentres/upcoming-workshops.

Zero Textbook Cost initiative

The Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) initiative aims to adapt academic programs so students can use the library and open educational resources (OER) instead of buying textbooks. 

Launched in 2018, KPU offers ZTC in more than 950 individual course sections, according to its website. There are also eight credentials that don’t require purchasing commercial textbooks. These programs include the bachelor of interior design, bachelor of arts degree in general studies, and associate of arts degree in sociology, among others. 

To find courses part of the ZTC initiative, students can visit one.kpu.ca, click “Register for Classes,” and then select “Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC)” in the advanced search when browsing for classes. 

Accessibility & health and wellness services

Accessibility services at KPU provide opportunities to make classrooms and campuses inclusive and accessible. They work with students and instructors to create accommodation plans, which can include removing disability-related barriers to tests and helping to make course materials more accessible. Students with general inquiries to KPU’s accessibility services can call 604-599-2828 or email access@kpu.ca. 

The university has recognized Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a tool for meeting its goal of expanding innovation in learning, teaching, and curriculum. UDL is a framework for inclusive learning and teaching, and it guides learning goals, materials, methods, and assessments for a diverse classroom, according to KPU’s website. 

Health and wellness services provided by the university feature six facets of wellness — emotional, financial, physical, mental, social, and spiritual. The webpage for the services also features resources KPU offers to aid each facet. 

TELUS Health Student Support provides all KPU students with 24/7 professional counselling to support their mental and emotional wellness. Students will be able to chat with one of the professionals after setting up their account on the TELUS Health Student Support app, available on the App Store or Google Play.

Pride at KPU supports 2SLGBTQIA+ students, staff, and faculty with on and off-campus resources. Its initiatives consist of the Pride Advocacy Group, Pride peer leaders, and the KPU Pride Society. Pride at KPU aims to increase awareness around sexual and gender-diverse issues, provide mentorship, host events, and create positive and supportive spaces for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. 

“About 14 [per cent] of KPU students identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, with some expressing that they struggle with feeling like they don’t belong and a lack of community, and are also more likely to report experiencing systemic barriers in and outside the classroom,” reads KPU’s website.

The Pride Centre is located at KPU’s Surrey campus in Birch 240. To join and connect with other members of the KPU Pride Society, students can email kpupridesociety@gmail.com

The Multi-Faith Centre at KPU offers sacred spaces for meditation and prayer for students, faculty, and staff of all faiths and secular beliefs. The centres are located in four KPU campuses — Fir 305 in Surrey, R1790 in Richmond, L1632 in the East building in Langley, and Room 514 at the Civic Plaza.

KSA services 

The Kwantlen Student Association is a non-profit organization, independent of KPU. Each KPU student is a member of the KSA, and as part of the student union, they have access to different resources, services, and advocacy opportunities. 

Some of the perks include free, on-campus lockers available for rent and discounts for Cineplex movie tickets and fitness passes to Club16 and She’s FIT!.

Students also have access to the KSA Food Bank, which provides food hampers on every campus. Students are eligible for two food hampers per month and can get them by filling out an online form.

Throughout the year, the KSA hosts events, workshops, cultural celebrations, recreational activities, and virtual events for students who prefer or need to engage remotely, KSA President Yashanpreet Guron wrote in an email statement to The Runner. 

“This fall, the KSA is focusing on enhancing student life by providing more accessible support services and creating opportunities for engagement, both online and on campus,” he wrote. “We understand that students are balancing a lot, so we’re working on offering programs that directly address academic, mental, and social well-being.”

The association also plans on increasing their social media presence and hosting drop-in sessions where students can ask questions, provide feedback, and collaborate with faculty, in addition to improving communication between students and the administration, Guron wrote.

“We’re working towards improving study areas, increasing the availability of microwaves and charging stations, and pushing for more sustainable practices within the campus facilities.”

There is also a lineup of student-run clubs available through the KSA, ranging from academic and cultural to recreational and special-interest ones. The Anime Club, KPU Sustainability Club, and Model UN Club are among the options available. Students can check out the full list of clubs on the KSA’s website, and are welcome to join any of them or start their own. 

“I wish more students knew just how much the KSA offers beyond events. We provide crucial services like the Health and Dental Plan, legal aid, and advocacy on issues that matter to students,” Guron wrote. 

Career Development Centre 

The Career Development Centre has released three new step-by-step roadmaps to support students’ career readiness at each stage of their educational journey. The first-year, final-year, and postgraduate roadmaps each consist of six to seven steps.

The first-year roadmap is designed to guide first-year students through different offerings and services at KPU. It helps students become active and engaged members of the university community before transitioning to career planning and job searching. 

“It emphasizes the importance of early engagement and self-awareness, leading to a more informed and strategic approach to career development,” says Chantal Rackley, career coach at KPU’s career development services. 

At the beginning, students complete a pre-pathway survey to measure what they know about KPU. After completing all the steps, students can do the same survey at the end to see what they learned in the process.

“The first few steps in the year-one roadmap focuses more on engagement and understanding what life as a student could be,” Rackley says. 

“Later on in the steps [is] some information about job search and some really great resources that the Career Development Centre offers to these students, including … resume handouts and resume feedback.”

The final-year roadmap focuses on post-graduation networking and researching opportunities, including pursuing further education. This roadmap emphasizes strategic career planning while continuing to engage actively in university life. It helps students to prepare for a smooth transition from their academic life to the professional world. 

The post-grad roadmap supports recent graduates and helps with the challenges of life after university. It offers two main paths depending on whether students decide to enter a workforce or continue with their further education, such as graduate school. 

To access the roadmaps, students can register at Career Connection, click on the resource tab, and find the roadmaps section.

“I highly encourage all students to choose a roadmap, whichever one that’s appropriate for you right now, and go through it step by step,” Rackley says. 

“Have fun with it, explore it, and of course, don’t forget to reach out to the Career Development Centre for all your job-searching and career-planning needs, that’s what we’re here for.”

Sports and Recreation

Sport enthusiasts can check out KPU’s fitness centres at the Surrey, Tech, and Langley campuses, or the Lotus Studio for yoga at the Richmond campus. 

The fitness centres provide benches and free weights, cardio equipment, and other additional exercise equipment for students to access for free with their student IDs.

Starting Sept. 16, fitness classes will be offered across all KPU fitness centres. KPU Richmond will offer gentle hatha yoga on Tuesdays at 12:05 pm and yin yoga on Thursdays at 4:35 pm at the Lotus Studio, located in Room 1320. 

Kickboxing will be offered at KPU’s Surrey campus on Wednesdays from 1:35 pm, and pre-registration will be required. Yoga flow will be offered on Thursdays starting at 12:05 pm in the Cedar gymnasium. 

Students can try each of these classes during “Free Fitness Week” from Sept. 16 to 20.

Students also have the option to join intramural sports and recreational sport leagues offered at the Surrey campus. Basketball, volleyball, badminton, and indoor cricket are some of the sports available for $10. 

Students can register as individuals or as part of a team at the sport and recreation desk at KPU Surrey in the Cedar building. Registration for all leagues closes Sept. 27. 

For more information about the schedule and other requirements, students can visit www.kpu.ca/sportrec/intramurals.

KPU Collective Peer Mentorship

Students can join a new KPU Collective Peer Mentorship Program launching this fall. 

The program helps students connect with those who are entering their first semester and receive guidance from mentors, who they will be paired with for the program. 

Each mentor will connect with eight to 10 students as well as with another mentor and their mentees. Together they will engage in different synchronous and asynchronous activities in a bi-weekly activity cycle throughout the semester. 

By the end of the semester, students will be able to create collective communities within their shared faculty and program, find friends, and establish connections.

For more information on how to join the peer mentorship program, students can visit www.kpu.ca/orientation/kpu-collective.