FASS One FAQs

find your answers here 

Learn more about FASS One and how to get involved.

FAQs

Where is FASS One offered?

The Surrey FASS FaM is open only to FASS students who are admitted to one of the 11 intended major areas in the FASS One program at the Surrey campus. The Burnaby campus offers the FASS Connections Mentorship Program and the FASS FaM as well, although slightly modified with a different delivery format. 

Can I take courses at other campuses?

Yes, you can take courses at all three of the campuses. However, in order to benefit from being a Surrey student, you are required to take a minimum of three courses at Surrey, at least two of which are FASS courses. That being said, many of the popular first-year courses in FASS are offered at SFU Surrey, so you will have a variety to choose from. Taking all Surrey courses in the first term provides you more opportunities to meet other students on campus, and may also save commuting time.

Will all the other first-year students be in the same courses as me?

No. You will be with other first-year students who have chosen the same intended major as you. For instance, if you chose Psychology at Surrey as your intended major when you applied, then you and all other students who chose this study area will be in the same PSYC 100 class. There are 11 major areas that a first-year student can chose from if starting at the Surrey campus.

I have already chosen a major or minor(s). Is FASS FaM still a good way to start a BA?

Yes, participating in FASS FaM is an excellent way to begin your university career. Since FASS FaM is developed to help you transition to university, you will be with students who have also chosen the same major or minor as you have, so you will have much in common. You can get to know your classmates outside of class in your weekly mentoring sessions and participate in fun activities. You can also talk about the lectures, study for exams together, and begin lasting friendships.

What are the requirements to be in a FASS FaM?

Students must first meet the University's admission requirements for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences in one of the 11 Surrey major programs. Once admitted, the student can register into the FASS FaM by emailing the coordinator at rbaik@sfu.ca. Please note that students must also take at least three courses at the Surrey campus to be considered a Surrey student. We encourage students to meet with the Arts and Social Sciences academic advisor at the Surrey campus to discuss options. Email rbaik@sfu.ca for more information or an appointment.

What does priority registration mean?

Priority registration means that, depending on which of the 11 intended majors you choose, your seat for the core course(s) will be reserved for you. You will know for certain that you will be able to register into your core course(s) when it's your time to register. And, as many of the courses offered at Surrey are also reserved for all Surrey students, you have a better chance of getting into a Surrey course.

Where do I find what textbooks to buy, and when should I buy them? 

Required Texts: A list of required text(s) is usually available on the course outline. There is a link to the course outline from the current calendar (Fall 2024) or through course search.

Buying Textbooks: This is a matter of preference. If you are certain of your courses, then you can bypass the line ups by buying early. This way, you can also get an early start on the course material. Never too early to get prepared for a course!

If you are unsure about staying enrolled in a course, you may want to wait until after the first class. You may or may not be able to get a refund if you drop the course after the first class. Some courseware packages are nonrefundable, so find out before you buy.

Why can't I see my class on my schedule? 

Some course are synchronous, meaning will meet online at a specific time, or asynchronous, with no online meeting at all. If you have enrolled in a distance ed class, then it will not show up on your schedule.

I'm going to be driving to the campus. How do i opt out of U-pass?  And how do i get a parking Pass?  

U-Pass: You cannot opt out, unless you are not eligible. Even if you are driving in, you still have to pay for U-Pass.

Parking PassApply for parking lottery online.

I already have health insurance through my parent(s).  How or when can I opt out of health and dental? 

Please review the Health and Dental Plan opt out information. There is a specific time period for opting out of the health plan.

When and where do i have to pay for tuition? 

Deadline to pay tuition and student fees is usually mid September for the Fall term.  A 2% late fee penalty will be assessed after the due date and on the first of each month thereafter. Find all posted deadlines on the website.

The easiest method of payment is through online banking. Choose Simon Fraser University as the payee, and the account number is your student ID with an added "0" at the beginning.  The account number requires 10 digits. https://www.sfu.ca/students/fees/howtopay.html  

You can also pay at the Registration and Information Service counters at any of the three campuses. No cash or credit card is accepted; only debit or cheques.

Is there tutorial in the first week? 

The best place to get this answer is to look at the course outline or do a class search and look at the Class Notes section. You may also get an email from your course instructor about this. Check your email often, especially in the first week. The decision to hold tutorials is up to the instructor, and students should not assume that there will not be a tutorial in the first week.

When and where do I get my SFU photo ID? 

Your SFU ID is important!  To obtain your card, go to the Registrar & Information Services office at any campus with appropriate identification (such as a driver's license, passport, birth certificate, BCID etc.) to request your ID Card.  You will need your SFU ID card to: 

  • Verify your identify for exams (mid-terms as well as finals)
  • Prove you are permitted to use U-Pass BC on TransLink public transit
  • Check out materials including computers from the Library
  • Obtain free entry to SFU Varsity games and to qualify for student discounts)

Your FASS One contact

Rosaline (Rose) Baik
Email: rbaik@sfu.ca
Phone: 778.798.9384
Office: Room 5169, Galleria 5

Advising appointment for the following inquiries:

  • Academic standing
  • Course selection and planning
  • Declaring a major
  • Transferring to another program or faculty
  • Repeating courses
  • Academic difficulty
  • Resources/services
  • Any question