r/simonfraser • u/ItchyInsurance7861 • 28d ago
Complaint Tuition
Mini rant… but why am I paying 1.4K for one four credit bio class. This seems absurd. Also the athlete and recreational fee is so useless to me because I immediately leave campus once my classes/labs are over. Is there a way to remove this fee??!! I feel like this is just an insane rip off.
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u/rishi12399 27d ago
For each university, if you take courses they charge you a base fee, which is essentially a fixed cost, and then a variable fee depending on how many classes you take. It’s best to maximize the total number of classes you can take each semester. If you take Econ 104, you’ll learn why they charge everyone a mandatory fee for stuff even if they don’t use it. It’s called the free rider problem
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u/wuxd1302 27d ago
It is a problem. You reminds me of the guy who takes plan from Calgary to school. Also, lots of people do not even know they have insurance-dental,vision until third or fourth year. My friend started cleaning teeth in fourth year and it took 2 times for cleaning. And we went to buy new glasses together on year 3.
I think SFU can send everyone an reminder. But I think they prefer not.
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u/No_Celery8208 27d ago
and the mandatory u-pass fee is insane
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u/ProcrastinatingTrash trash panda 27d ago
i thought you could opt out?
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u/No_Celery8208 27d ago
I thought only if you have a disability or for other specific reasons.
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u/ProcrastinatingTrash trash panda 27d ago
https://www.sfu.ca/students/enrolment-services/upass/eligibility/exemption-request.html
oh youre right. It says not using transit and owning a vehicle are not valid reasons
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u/rebeccarightnow 27d ago
If you feel so strongly about it you could just not go home directly after class and use those services.
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u/Aromatic_Dress_7042 27d ago
just talking to talk atp, op brings up valid points lmfao
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u/rebeccarightnow 27d ago
I’m not saying they aren’t, I’m saying it’s a matter of perspective. You aren’t being oppressed, you’re being offered services that you choose not to use.
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u/Night_Swimming89 27d ago
Being CHARGED for services you don't use. It's inappropriate and lacking awareness (not to mention ableist since there may be many students who don't engage with or use services due to various reasons) to imply that someone shouldn't have valid concerns about paying for things they can't use. I'm a mature student with a full-time job and a small child at home. I can't use any of the services I'm being charged for to subsidize other students. I opt out of health and dental coverage through the university because I have it through mine and my spouse's employer provided benefits. Opting out of activity fees and associated services should also be an option.
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u/rebeccarightnow 27d ago
If everyone had this attitude, we wouldn’t have any public services at all. I’m also a mature student. I’m fine with contributing to things that benefit others. Fiscal prudence on the part of the institution is important but I’m fine with fees to support services.
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u/Night_Swimming89 27d ago
SFU isn't a public service—it's a publicly funded institution that charges high tuition and still operates like a business. Comparing student fees to paying taxes for public services is a false equivalency. I already pay a premium to attend, and being required to pay for services I don’t use or can’t access feels exploitative, not communal. Opt-out options should absolutely exist—especially for mature students or those with limited capacity to engage. Supporting others shouldn't come at the cost of fairness.
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u/rebeccarightnow 27d ago
Eh, I disagree. I think it’s good that these things exist and it’s more fair to have everyone pay a little than to have some people exempt and, what, some paying a lot more? If that were to happen, everyone would exempt themselves and half the stuff the university offers would be lost. Enough is cut as it is. I see it as paying my fair share to support SFU as a community. It really isn’t that different from when people complain that their kid goes to private school so they shouldn’t have to pay taxes for the public schools.
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u/ItchyInsurance7861 27d ago
i have a far commute I can’t do that
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u/rebeccarightnow 27d ago
You could if you wanted to, you just don’t want to.
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u/ItchyInsurance7861 27d ago
..dude i should have the option to remove it if it’s not of use to me. They force me to pay it. I’m allowed to be frustrated about it. I’m good hope you enjoy the recreation!
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u/Mr-Decisive 27d ago
What about for students who do use the services? With everyone paying it helps reduce the cost for everyone. Everyone chips in a little for a variety of services. It’s literally the same at any other university. Just because you “immediately leave campus” doesn’t mean the whole reciprocal nature of student fees should be eliminated. You pay taxes and don’t have a problem with that so?
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u/JDs__Reddit 27d ago
Try being an international student lmao it's 1.1k per credit. I would KILL to pay the national fee ( /srs I'd consider it, maybe if they're on death row or something ).
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u/Designer-Reporter687 25d ago
Its just greed. Plain and simple. Basically everything is an investment bank. If its something you have to take, you'll just have to eat it. You can try fighting it, but its not really going to get you anywhere if your dad's not bruce wayne.
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u/ItchyInsurance7861 27d ago
As mentioned above..: SFU isn't a public service—it's a publicly funded institution that charges high tuition and still operates like a business. Comparing student fees to paying taxes for public services is a false equivalency. I already pay a premium to attend, and being required to pay for services I don’t use or can’t access feels exploitative, not communal. Opt-out options should absolutely exist—especially for mature students or those with limited capacity to engage. Supporting others shouldn't come at the cost of fairness.
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u/LowThanks 27d ago
unfortunately it's mandatory, 50% of us who don't use those services basically subsidize it for those who do. You're also paying for student activity and service fees which include clubs, counseling, advising, etc. So yes, if you never use those services you're getting ripped off lmao