Simon Fraser University

 

What Computing ID and password do students, staff and faculty use to log into SFU systems?

 

Use your SFU Computing ID that you receive when you become an SFU student or employee, to log into Webmail, the Student Information System, myInfo payroll system, WebCT eLearning system, mySFU, campus labs, Library databases, and more. All these systems can be found via links from the main SFU website.

 

When and how do new undergraduate students get SFU computing IDs?
  1. Receive an offer of admission from SFU
  2. Accept the offer of admission by paying a deposit of $100
  3. About 10 weeks before your first semester you should receive email at your non-SFU contact address saying that your SFU computing ID is ready for you to activate. I.e. you should receive this email around June 19 for the Fall semester, Oct 19 for the Spring semester or Feb 19 for the Summer semester.
  4. If you pay your $100 deposit less than 10 weeks before your first semester, 5-7 business days later you should receive email saying your SFU computing ID is ready to activate.
  5. Once you have received email saying your SFU computing ID is ready, go to http://my.sfu.ca/AccountActivation and follow the instructions to activate your SFU Computing ID

 

When and how do new graduate students get SFU computing IDs?

 

The process should be the same as for undergraduate students. However in practice it is more variable. Contact your department if you have paid your $100 deposit and there seems to be an undue delay in you receiving email saying that your SFU computing ID is ready for activation.

 

When and how do new employees get computing IDs?
  1. After your initial hiring information has been processed by your department and Human Resources, you will receive email at your non-SFU email contact address saying that your SFU computing ID is ready for you to activate.
  2. Go to http://my.sfu.ca/AccountActivation and follow the instructions to activate your SFU Computing ID
  3. Or visit Academic Computing Services (ACS) in Strand Hall 1st floor, or at Harbour Centre or Surrey Campus, with picture id, to activate your SFU computing ID.
What happens if I am already an employee when I become a student, or I am already a student when I become an employee?

 

You should already have an active SFU computing ID. It will now allow you to access systems you could not previously get into, such as the Student Information System or the myInfo payroll system.

 

If you become a new student, you'll be able to access the Student Information System once you have paid a $100 deposit and it is approximately 10 weeks before your first semester, OR it is 5-7 days since you paid your $100 deposit and is within 10 weeks of your first semester.

 

If you become a new employee, you'll be able to access the myInfo payroll system once your department and Human Resources process your hiring information.

 

Where can students get help?

 

Go to any campus and visit the staffed computer labs. On Burnaby campus these are at AQ3148 and in the Library (main floor). From off-campus or after the labs are closed, contact 778-782-3230 or help@sfu.ca.

 

What should I do if I can't log into a particular SFU service?

 

Try logging into any SFU service (try SFU Webmail.) If you succeed, your SFU Computing ID and password are working. If you can't log into any SFU service, phone 778-782-3230 or e-mail help@sfu.ca.

 

If you can log in to some services, then the problem is likely specific to the particular service you are having trouble accessing. Look in the home page of that service for an email address or phone number to contact.


I received an email asking me to provide my SFU Computing ID and password. Why?

 

SFU, like many other universities, has been the subject of a number of "phishing" attacks. Phishing is an attempt to acquire sensitive personal information, such as usernames, passwords and banking information by masquerading as a trustworthy party in an electronic communication. Phishing is typically carried out by email or instant messaging and often directs users to enter details at a website or in a email reply.


You can find more information about phishing here.