Simon Fraser UniversityStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for Simon Fraser University. Free for students.

Unknown University in Burnaby, BC. Operating on a semester system.

Looking for dorms? Scroll for the dorm and housing breakdown below.

Free for all Simon Fraser University students. No credit card required.

30K+

Total Enrollment

University

Institution Type

17

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Fall Term 2026

The semester, explained for Simon Fraser University

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Fall Term 2026
Campus terms
20
Local details
14

Academic calendar

Fall Term 2026 runs Sep 1, 2026 – Dec 20, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

14 entries
  1. Fall Term 2026Relevant now
  2. Spring Term 2027
  3. Intersession 2027
  4. Summer Term 2027
  5. Summer Term 2027 Intersession
  6. Summer Term 2027 Summer Session
  7. Summer Session 2027
  8. Fall Term 2027
  9. Spring Term 2028
  10. Intersession 2028
  11. Summer Term 2028
  12. Summer Term 2028 Intersession
  13. Summer Term 2028 Summer Session
  14. Summer Session 2028

Add dates to DormWay

Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

20 terms

C

CJSF
The campus community radio station (90.1 FM).
Cornerstone
The commercial area at the top of the hill (UniverCity) featuring various restaurants and shops.
Courtyard
The Courtyard Residence, one of the newer housing options on campus.

G

GSS
Graduate Student Society, representing graduate students at SFU.

M

Mackenzie Cafe
A large cafeteria located in the Academic Quadrangle (AQ).
MBC Food Court
The food court located in the Maggie Benston Centre.
McT
McTaggart-Cowan Hall, a traditional-style residence building.

R

Ren
Renaissance Coffee, a popular independent coffee shop with multiple locations on campus.

S

SASS
Sociology and Anthropology Student Union, an example of a Departmental Student Union (DSU).
Science Fiction University
A nickname for SFU based on its brutalist architecture and frequent use as a filming location for sci-fi movies.
SFSS
Simon Fraser Student Society, the undergraduate student government.
Shell
Shellmont Hall, a traditional-style residence building.

T

The 143
The bus route connecting the Burnaby campus to Burquitlam SkyTrain station.
The 145
The frequent bus route connecting the Burnaby campus to Production Way-University SkyTrain station.
The DH
The main Dining Hall located near the residences, offering buffet-style meals.
The Hill
Refers to the main Burnaby Mountain campus due to its elevation.
The Peak
SFU's independent student newspaper.
The Pond
The reflection pond located in the center of the Academic Quadrangle (AQ).
The Towers
The three main residence towers: Hamilton Hall, Pauline Jewett House, and Barbara Rae House.
The Townhouses
The student townhouse complex located on the eastern side of the Burnaby campus.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

14 details
AQ
Academic Quadrangle, the central and most iconic building on the Burnaby campus.
BLU
Blusson Hall, home to the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Canvas
The learning management system used for course materials and assignments.
Compass Card
The physical card used to tap in and out of TransLink buses and trains.
dining_commons
Dining Commons
goSFU
The primary online portal for enrollment, grades, and financial accounts.
mackenzie_caf
Mackenzie Café
MBC
Maggie Benston Centre, home to student services, the bookstore, and a food court.
RCB
Robert C. Brown Hall, part of the main academic complex.
SFU ID
The official student identification card required for exams and library services.
SUB
Student Union Building, the hub for student activities and the SFSS.
TASC
Technology and Applied Sciences Complex (TASC 1 and TASC 2).
U-Pass
The universal transit pass loaded onto a Compass Card for unlimited local travel.
WMC
West Mall Centre, housing classrooms, offices, and the registrar.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Fall Term 2026 runs Sep 1, 2026 – Dec 20, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
20 approved campus terms and 14 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Class of 2030 · Simon Fraser University

You just committed to Simon Fraser University.

The four months ahead don’t need to be one giant open tab. Sign up and we’ll only email you when Simon Fraser University actually needs you to do something this summer — orientation, housing, course registration, immunization. That’s the whole product.

What we’ll email you about

  • Sep 4

    SFU Welcome Day

    Required · source

  • Sep 22

    SFSS Health and Dental Opt-Out

    Recommended · source

One email per real deadline. Source link cited every time. We re-check 7 days before each one fires.

Get the Class of 2030 essentials for Simon Fraser University

DormWay tells you when your campus asks you to do something this summer. Then it helps you do it. That's all.

DormWay’s AI organizes your school. It doesn’t do your work. Free for students.

Get to know your university

Assisted

Find a few communities to try at Simon Fraser University

These are things we discovered from public campus sources. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed

57 mapped items from 18 public sources

Interest filters
  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

Worth a look

Computing Science Student Society (CSSS)

A student-run society dedicated to promoting the interests of all students in the School of Computing Science through academic, social, and career events.

Open to all

Departmental Student Unions (DSUs)

Student-run societies that represent the interests of undergraduate students within a specific academic department or faculty, such as Biology, Chemistry, or Communication.

Open to all

Embark Sustainability Society

A student-centered non-profit that catalyzes student sustainability journeys by engaging SFU students in programs, events, and other initiatives.

Open to all

Source: embarksustainability.org · Verified 28 days ago

View Details

Ice Hockey Club

The SFU Men's Hockey club competes against other university hockey teams across North America.

Tryout required

Source: sfuhockey.com · Verified 5 days ago

Learn More

Easy to try first

Badminton Club

Promotes the sport of badminton by providing an environment where students, staff, and alumni can meet and play.

Drop in any time

Month of Welcome

A series of fun, informative, and interactive events celebrating the start of the Fall term for new and returning students.

Drop in any time

Resources & spaces

Health & Counselling Services

Provides free, confidential medical and counselling services to all currently enrolled SFU students. Services include doctor's appointments, mental health support, and wellness resources.

Open to all

Using DormWay at Simon Fraser University

What the product handles for students.

Syllabus to schedule

Upload any Simon Fraser University syllabus and get a complete semester breakdown in seconds

Workload planning

Balance your courseload with helpful workload distribution

Free student access

No premium tiers, no paywalls. Free for all Simon Fraser University students

Simon Fraser University on DormWay

Current DormWay activity for this campus

28

Active Students

20

Syllabi Analyzed

17

Courses on DormWay

Browse all courses →

Popular Courses

Browse all →
International RelationsIntroduction to Archaeological Method and TheoryIntroduction to Chemistry 120/121Introduction to Politics & GovernmentINTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY IIntroduction to Sustainability (Online)Investigating Politics: An Introduction to Political AnalysisJustice and Law

DormWay integrates with Simon Fraser University's LMS

Connect your learning management system for automatic assignment syncing

Canvas

Supported

Connect your Canvas account to automatically sync assignments, grades, and course schedules.

Life in Burnaby for Simon Fraser University Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Burnaby.

Timezone

America/Vancouver

Median Rent

$2,200

Cost of Living Index

145

Student Population

35,000

City Transportation

Walkability

75

Bikeability

70

Public Transit

SkyTrain Expo Line, SkyTrain Millennium Line, TransLink bus network

Nearest Airports

Vancouver International Airport (nearby)

Climate Averages

Climate

Oceanic

Avg Annual Temp

51.1°F

Avg Snowfall

15 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

North Lot

surface_lot • Fills around 9:30 am; real-time availability pilot active

Reconfigured in 2026 with dedicated permit and visitor areas

East Lot

surface_lot • Fills around 10:30 am

Includes dedicated areas for permit holders and visitors

Central Parkade

garage • High demand; located under Convocation Mall

Does not accept FlexPass; primarily for faculty, staff, and visitors

West Parkade

garage • Tucked away near West Mall Complex

Valid for Indoor Permits and FlexPass

South Lot

surface_lot • Fills around 11:30 am

Alternative when North and East lots are full

Campus News

Latest updates from Simon Fraser University

Seven SFU researchers honoured by the Royal Society of Canada

SFU celebrates four new Fellows and three new Members of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists inducted into the Royal Society of Canada for work in climate change, clean energy, and healthy aging.

Sep 9, 2026

Read More

SFU ushers in fall with fresh slate of new offerings

SFU welcomes over 28,000 students for the fall 2026 term, featuring the inaugural class of the SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine at the Surrey campus.

Sep 8, 2026

Read More

Reports of drug seizures by police rose during first year of decriminalization, SFU study finds

A study led by SFU health sciences researchers found a significant upward trend in police drug seizures without arrests during B.C.'s decriminalization pilot project.

Sep 9, 2026

Read More

Fake doctor reviews trusted more than real ones, SFU study finds

Research from the Beedie School of Business indicates that consumers often find AI-generated or fake medical reviews more credible than authentic patient feedback.

Sep 3, 2026

Read More

Upcoming Events

What's happening at Simon Fraser University

Drop-In Career Chats

September 14, 2026

SFU Sci-Space (AQ 3146), Burnaby

Drop-in sessions for students to discuss career and volunteer opportunities.

FHS Research Seminar - Cathy Slavik

September 14, 2026

9920 Blusson Hall and Zoom, SFU Burnaby

Seminar on health communication for impact: Developing tools and strategies for different risks, audiences, and decisions.

GSWS Feminist Book Club - The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich

September 14, 2026

SFU Harbour Centre, Vancouver

A discussion of feminist literature hosted by the Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies community.

In-person Burnaby Campus Tour

September 14, 2026

Student Central, Maggie Benston Centre, SFU Burnaby

A guided tour of the SFU Burnaby campus for future students and guests.

2026 Celebration of Teaching and Learning

September 21, 2026

SFU Burnaby Campus

An event celebrating excellence in teaching and learning within the SFU community.

Career Festival

September 22, 2026

SFU Burnaby Campus

A festival providing students with networking opportunities and career resources.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at Simon Fraser University

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

16 known dorm and housing options. Every known option is shown below.

Charles Chang Innovation Centre

Room types: studio, 2-bedroom, 2-bedroom with flex

Courtyard Residence

Room types: private room

Courtyard Residences

Capacity: 600

Room types: single

East Towers

Capacity: 588

Room types: double, triple

Graduate and Family Housing

Capacity: 90

Room types: studio, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom

Hamilton Hall

Room types: studio

McTaggart-Cowan Hall

Room types: not specified

New student housing (Phase 3)

Capacity: 445

Room types: studio, quad

North Towers - Barbara Rae (BRH), Doris and Jack Shadbolt (SBH), Pauline Jewett (PJH)

Room types: single

North Towers (Barbara Rae, Doris and Jack Shadbolt, Pauline Jewett)

Room types: single

Shadbolt House

Capacity: 482

Room types: single-occupancy

Shell House

The Towers

Room types: single

The Townhouses

Capacity: 96

Room types: single

Townhouses

Capacity: 384

West Towers

Capacity: 588

Room types: double, triple

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Unknown

Email Domain

@sfu.ca

Plan your semester at Simon Fraser University

Upload a syllabus, collect the important dates, and build a schedule around the work ahead.