Back to the grind: A guide to KPU’s student resources and services

With the fall 2025 semester starting up, new and current Kwantlen Polytechnic University students are heading back to the institution’s five campuses, ready to take on a fresh school year.

Being a university student means juggling many responsibilities, including studying for exams, managing several assignments at once, and delivering important presentations.

At KPU, there are various campus services and initiatives designed to support students and lighten their workloads.

Here is a guide to the services and initiatives the university offers to students.

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Learning Centres

The Learning Centres offer students a range of services to support students during their time at KPU. The centres provide free peer tutoring, interactive workshops, academic resources, and mentorship for students requiring additional guidance. There are four Learning Centres at KPU, located on the Surrey, Langley, Richmond, and Civic Plaza campuses.

The centres will host academic skills workshops from September to November. KPU students can choose from workshops covering topics such as time management, overcoming procrastination, and university essay writing.

To book a session with a peer tutor, students can register online via the KPU TutorOcean scheduling platform.

For more information about KPU’s Learning Centres and what they offer, visit www.kpu.ca/learningcentres. 

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Zero Textbook Cost initiative

The Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) initiative at KPU launched back in 2018. The program is designed to help reduce the cost of learning for students and remove barriers to post-secondary education.

Rather than textbooks, ZTC courses and programs use library and open educational resources, instructor-made materials, and free online resources. KPU has developed more than 3,500 ZTC course sections taught by over 480 instructors since the initiative’s launch, including eight credentials that don’t require the purchasing of commercial textbooks, according to a KPU press release.​ More than 75,000 have benefited from the ZTC program at KPU.

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

Starting in the fall 2025 semester, the ZTC initiative has been expanded to include a new designation: Low Textbook Cost (LTC). The LTC designation applies to courses with learning materials that total $40 or less before taxes and are based on the retail price at the KPU Bookstore. Students can select “Low Textbook Cost (LTC)” when registering for or browsing classes.

Fitness Centres

KPU Sport and Recreation’s Fitness Centres are open to all current students, who can receive free memberships with a valid KPU ID. The three centres on the Surrey, Langley, and Cloverdale campuses are equipped with cardio equipment, squat racks, and free weights, among many other features. They are open Monday through Friday and are either closed or have reduced hours on the weekends.

​KPU Richmond has a Lotus Studio for yoga classes, and the Surrey campus has a gymnasium where students can play basketball, volleyball, and badminton.

Sport and Recreation also offers Zumba and cardio kickboxing fitness classes for students.

For information about the Fitness Centres and classes, visit www.kpu.ca/sportrec. 

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Indigenous Student Services

Indigenous Student Services at KPU aim to support and create a welcoming environment for all Indigenous students.

The KPU Surrey campus also features the Gathering Place at the east end of the Maple building, which welcomes all students. The Gathering Place serves as a “space that supports the social and educational activities associated with attending KPU in an environment that recognizes the important contribution of the Kwantlen, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Qay’Qayt, Katzie, and all other Indigenous Nations,” the spot’s website reads.

Lekeyten of Kwantlen First Nation has served as KPU’s first Elder in residence since 2015, supporting Indigenous students during their time at the university. His responsibilities include meeting with students to offer support, encouragement, and culturally sensitive counselling, assisting in spiritual or emotional student crisis situations, and participating in classroom discussions, among others.​

​For more information about Indigenous Student Services at KPU, visit www.kpu.ca/indigenous. 

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Accessibility Services

Accessibility Services at KPU are designed to ensure that students have access to inclusive campuses, classrooms, and opportunities.

Some of these services include assisting with the transition from high school to university, creating an accommodation plan for students, connecting students with KPU services such as the Learning Centres, and offering grants to students with disabilities.

Do you need accommodation for writing an exam? This university department can adjust where and how exams are taken for students. Do you need accessible course materials in braille or e-text? KPU Accessibility Services can assist with that.

​Accessibility Services can also help with interpreting or transcribing services in the classroom and other university activities.

​The goal of Accessibility Services at KPU is to collaborate with and support students in any way they need. To find more information, visit www.kpu.ca/access. 

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KPU library

KPU has libraries on the Surrey, Langley, Cloverdale, and Richmond campuses. The Surrey campus library has three levels. The first level is a collaborative learning zone for group study, the second is a quiet learning zone with computer labs, and the third is a silent learning environment.

The KPU library also allows students to borrow equipment, including calculators, cameras, adapters, and bluetooth speakers. There is an online equipment request form that students can complete and submit to reserve equipment from the library.

Students can also connect with one of the KPU librarians to help them with their research for class, such as by assisting in finding sources and resources. Students can connect with a KPU librarian by booking an appointment online, using the AskAway chat, filling out an email contact form, or visiting the library in person.

The library also offers private study rooms for students to book and use individually or with others. A study room can be rented out 14 days in advance, accommodating up to six people. Students also have the option to rent a tech-enabled room, which are equipped with LCD screens and have options for projecting sound. 

For more information about the KPU library and its resources, visit www.kpu.ca/library. 

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Action Plan

KPU’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan launched at KPU this July. The plan includes 80 recommendations that focus on creating a supportive environment among KPU employees.

There are nine themes that make up the EDI plan, including topics such as education, training, and resources; complaint reporting and processes; health and wellness; and leadership, among others.

The plan is designed to collaborate with other KPU frameworks, including the Accessibility Plan and published findings from the university’s Task Force on Anti-Racism.

​For more information, visit www.bit.ly/EDIatKPU. 

Kwantlen Student Association

In addition to university resources, the Kwantlen Student Association also provides students with support and initiatives.

​The KSA is KPU’s student union that aims to prioritize student interests. It organizes events, supports clubs, and provides resources and services to enhance student life.

Vice-President Student Life Ishant Goyal says the changes the KSA plans to make this semester are to revive the KSA street team, initiate conversations with KPU about the challenges students face, and enhance food options on campus. The association also aims to promote the KSA team’s availability, so that students can feel motivated to reach out and ask for assistance at any time.

The KSA has many events and plans for KPU students next semester, which include organizing giveaways and planning trips to Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Suspension Bridge. The KSA also provides students with a health and dental plan through insurance provider Gallivan.

“We are looking to include something new this year for Halloween, [giving] away chocolates during that time,” Goyal says. “We did give out Christmas baskets last year. [It was] a popular thing, so we are probably going to bring that back in the fall semester.”

Goyal adds that the KSA will be offering new swag items, such as water bottles, lanyards, and stickers.

“We’re going to be focusing on more, I would say, practical items for students.”

He says he wishes students knew more about the discounts and services the KSA has to offer, which include discounted Club16 and She’s FIT! fitness passes and Cineplex movie tickets, as well as lab coat rentals, gift card deals, and fresh produce from the sustainable agriculture department at KPU.

Goyal says there are also over 35 active clubs that students can join this semester, including ones focused on fitness and academics.

He says the KSA is happy to support students’ needs in any way it can.

“Students are welcome to go by [the KSA] executive office [on the Surrey campus] or email us, and we’re happy to help them in their academic life and support them in whatever capacity we can.”

For more information about the KSA, visit www.kusa.ca.