Corporate body

Student Services

• Student Affairs (1966 - 1971)
• University Services (1971 - 1976)
• Campus Community Services (1996 - 2003)

1964 -

Student Services began in 1964 as a series of administrative units in the Registrar's Office. In September 1965 Norman Barton, the Registrar, resigned and Lolita Wilson, Dean of Women, stepped in as the temporary Acting Registrar. In December 1965 D.P. Robertson was hired as the new Registrar and the Board of Governors asked Wilson to administer and develop a student affairs program as the Dean of Student Affairs. As Dean she reported to the Vice-President, Academic and represented student concerns on the Faculty Council. Under Wilson's management Health Services, Residence, Housing, Student Employment (Canada Manpower), and the Chaplain's Service became formal offices. Her responsibilities grew to include Counselling Services, clerical work for Canadian University Students Overseas, the International Office, the Day Care Centre, and foreign students. For a brief period, the Simon Fraser Student Society existed as a parallel office of Student Affairs, but gained autonomy in 1967 after registering as a society.

In 1971 Student Affairs underwent a number of administrative changes as various services became increasingly autonomous under the leadership of directors and coordinators. The office was renamed the Division of University Services, which more accurately reflected its role serving the entire university community including faculty and non-academic staff. The position of Dean of Student Affairs was discontinued and Wilson returned to teaching and research as the Assistant to the Vice-President, Academic where she was responsible for institutional research relating to students. Stephen Stratton (the former Acting Dean of Education) assumed the position of Director of the Division of University Services and reported to the Vice-President, Development (soon after renamed Vice-President, University Services). Stratton resigned after one year and was replaced by Stanley Roberts who took on the new title of Vice-President, University Services. As Vice-President, Roberts reported directly to the president. By 1972, University Services had also taken on responsibility for the University Theatre, the Student Placement Office, the Reading and Study Centre, University News Service, the Resources Office (until 1977), and the Centre for Communication and the Arts. Alumni Affairs was added in 1973 (until 1975) while Athletics and Recreation were added in 1974.

In 1977 Roberts resigned and the position of Vice-President, University Services was discontinued. University Services was renamed Student Services and William (Bill) Stewart assumed control as Director of Student Services. Stewart had served under Roberts as Assistant to the Vice-President, University Services from 1973-1976. As the new Director, Stewart continued to report directly to the President until 1981. From 1981-1993 he reported to the Vice-President, Administration except for a brief period when he reported to the Executive Director, Administration Services (1986-1989). From 1994-1995 Stewart reported to the Associate Vice-President, Academic. Stewart served as Director of Student Services for 20 years, during which a number of units/offices in University Services were reorganized. In 1981 the University Theatre was removed from Stewart's responsibility followed by the Reading and Study Centre and Financial Aid (both in 1986), while Food Services (1986) and Traffic and Security (1989) were added.

In 1996 Student Services was renamed Campus Community Services (CCS) which reflected the role of the student services offices working together to provide assistance and programming for students, faculty and staff at the university. Michael Dinning, previously Director of Recreational Services and Athletics, succeeded Stewart as Director of Campus Community Services. He reported to the Dean of Student Services and Registrar, who in turn, reported to the Associate Vice-President, Academic from 1996-1998 and the Vice-President, Academic & Provost from 1998-2005. Campus Community Services established a mandate to “ease the transition of new SFU students through orientation services; offer a wide scope of activities, programs and services that assist students with their academic and social success throughout their time at SFU; and provide students with a variety of opportunities to explore career options and better prepare themselves for life in the larger community when they leave SFU.” Campus Community Services offices included Recreation and Athletics; Centre for Students with Disabilities; Chaplaincy (Interfaith Centre); Childcare Society; Health, Counselling and Career Centre; Nightline Crisis Counselling; the Peer Helper Program; First Nations Student Services; Orientation Services; Residence and Housing; Student Employment Centre; and the Volunteer Resource Centre.

In 2003 Campus Community Services was dissolved and was renamed (once again) Student Services. Dinning became the Associate Dean of Student Services, reporting to Ron Heath, Dean of Student Services and Registrar. Student Services was restructured as an "umbrella office", overseeing individual units that include Academic Resources; Student Accounts; Admissions; Athletics; the Childcare Society; the Centre for Student Disabilities; Financial Assistance; the First Nations Students Centre; Health, Counselling and Career Services; the Interfaith Centre; Orientation; Recreational Services; Residence and Housing; Senate; Student Development and Programming; Student Academic Affairs; Student Recruitment; and the transit program U-Pass. In September 2005 Heath's title was simplified to Registrar and he currently reports to the Acting Associate Vice-President, Students and International (AVPSI).