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Capilano Students' Union

If you want to learn more about the Capilano Students’ Union (CSU), you can skip the rest of this page and go straight to the CSU web site at http://www.csu.bc.ca . The CSU has lots of things to offer students that can make life easier and school more enjoyable.

For one-on-one, detailed information about the Capilano Students’ Union, please stop by the CSU front office, Room 116 in the Maple Building.  You can reach the office by phone at (604) 984-4969. Drop by any time for a quick tour of the comfortable lounge and front office in Maple; also feel free to use the Treehouse in the Library building (LB131) for studying or small group meetings. You will also find lots of information in the Student Handbook and Day Planner published by the CSU every year. Make sure you get your copy for a suggested donation of $0.50.

Every student registered for credit at the North Vancouver campus of Capilano University is a member of the CSU. This non-profit organization is controlled by a democratically elected board of students. The CSU’s Board of Directors is totally independent from the administration of the University. The CSU employs three full-time staff members, one part-time staff member, and several student employees to assist the elected Board of Directors in running the organization, advocating on behalf of all students, and delivering a wide range of services.

The most popular and widely-used services of the CSU include:

  • a student handbook and day planner produced every year (available at CSU office).
  • a semesterly used book sale where students can purchase used texts for 70% of retail price as well as consign their used textbooks from previous semesters.
  • a free on-line directory of available rental housing and home stay accommodations.
  • a free on-line tutor listing service that tutors and students can use to connect with each other.
  • the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) that provides students with discounts at hundreds of locations locally, nationally and internationally.
  • a variety of long distance calling cards that are available at discounted rates, as well as prepaid minutes for your cell phones
  • constituency spaces available on campus that include the Queer Centre (LB191), Women's Centre (LB137), and First Nations Lounge (BR160). For the room codes, contact the CSU front office and one of our friendly staff members will provide them to you.
  • locker rentals which are are available in the Library and Fir buildings for $10 per semester
  • economical faxing, printing, photocopying, and binding services
  • the U-Pass, a four-month transit pass that is valid across all zones of the Metro Vancouver area

The CSU works to protect the rights of students and to advocate wherever decision-making affects the quality of life for students at Capilano University. For example, the CSU appoints student representatives to university committees to ensure that student perspectives are a part of the university's decision-making processes. The CSU also organizes social, political and cultural events and provides a variety of low-cost services to members.

The CSU is dedicated to advancing the interests of students by working to achieve a system of post-secondary education which is accessible to all. Capilano students are also members of the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), an alliance of over 400,000 students across Canada. Through the Canadian Federation of Students the CSU works to advance post-secondary education policies in areas such as tuition fees and student financial assistance.

It's easy to get involved with your Students' Union: join a committee, consign your old texts in the Used Book Sale, work on campaigns to keep post-secondary education accessible or run for an executive position. There are lots of opportunities to be part of something fun. Remember that the whole organization is run by students, for students – you may recognize some of your friends or classmates in the office. See you in the Maple building!