FAQ

The Students' General Association supports students in a variety of ways.  From health and dental benefits to academic support, the SGA/AGÉ is here to make student life easier. We lobby with all levels of government to achieve better support for post-secondary students, advocate for students within Laurentian, provide a food bank to those in need, as well as run fun and exciting events which maintain a vibrant social life on campus.

To see an in-depth breakdown of the fees the SGA/AGÉ charges full-time and part-time students please consult the Fees and Finances page. Please note that the fee descriptions are available but the amount for each fee is updated on an yearly basis. Fees support the services provided by the SGA/AGÉ for our students.

To keep up to date on all the events happening at the SGA you can follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @sga_age. We are very active on Instagram and are always posting the latest info about events there!

​

For bigger events like Welcome Week make sure to check your Laurentian email as regularly we send information regarding events through that channel as well. 

​

Have an idea for an event that you would like to see happen? Email vpstudentlife@lurentian.ca!

Visit studentbenefits.ca

1. Select Laurentian (SGA) then click 'Go'

2. Select the 'opt-out’ option on the left side of the screen and follow the instructions from there

Please note that  you must provide proof of insurance from another provider in order to be eligible to opt out. You have until September 30th, 2023 to opt out, if your opt out is successful you'll be able to pick up the reimbursement at the V-Desk or have it mailed to you.

Visit studentbenefits.ca

1. Select Laurentian (SGA) then click 'Go'

2. Choose 'login' from the left side of the screen

3. If you have not registered, click ‘register now’, if you have already registered click 'login'

After you have registered (or logged in) you can explore your benefits, download and print your benefit cards and submit claims online.

The Student Centre is a state-of-the-art facility where students can lounge and study. This building houses the    V-Desk, SGA/AGÉ office, Zena Café, Joro Photography, and a members-only area on the lower level. This VIP space is equipped with numerous amenities for members to enjoy including study rooms, a lounge area, games areas, a free library, board games, Nintendo Switch, foosball, pool, and ping pong tables, clubs’ room, lockers, and a microwave station. To find out more about what the Student Centre has to offer click here. 

When you arrive at the Student Centre, go to the V-Desk and ask the clerk for the game equipment you're seeking (Foosball, Pool, Table Tennis, Board Games, Nintendo Switch, etc.). They will ask you for your student card to check out the equipment. Once you are done, return all equipment to the   V-Desk and you will receive your

student card back. Please note the gaming equipment is reserved for SGA/AGÉ members and AEF members who opted into the Student Centre fee. 

If you would like to book the atrium for an event please contact Laurentian Conference and Event Services at 705-675-1151 ext 3002 or conferenceservices@laurentian.ca. Please cc sgacoo@laurentian.ca on your request. If the event requires a bar set up please include this information in your request. 

​

If you are interested in one of the rental spaces in the Student Centre please contact sgavpfinance@laurentian.ca

The SGA/AGÉ offers on-campus graduation portraiture through JORO Photography. There is no session fee and SGA/AGÉ members get 15% off any package order. Free retouching is even included with print package orders. Everything from scheduling sessions to reviewing proofs and ordering prints can be done through their website by clicking here. Once you have booked a time slot your session will take place in room SC208 in the Student Centre. You can pick up your photos from the V-Desk in the Student Centre once you have received notification that they are ready. 

To find out which student association you belong to look at your student card. SGA/AGÉ members will have our logo on the front of their card. AEF and GSA students will have a different logo. Students can also check their my laurentian portal here. Student association will appear below name and program. Please note that graduate students (Master's, PhD) are are not SGA/AGÉ members. Graduate students belong to the Graduate Student Association (GSA).

Advocacy is one of the main pillars in our mission. The main focus with academic advocacy is supporting students throughout the grade-appeal process or other issues which arise surrounding enrolment or fees for example. Connect with the Vice President Education to know your options or visit the Advocacy section to learn more.

In 2023 a university wide referendum on the U-Pass was held in which students voted on whether or not to continue the U-Pass service. It was stipulated on the ballot that opt-outs would no longer be an option if students decided to continue with the service. This referendum was approved by students with an in favour voting rate of 56%. Therefore opt-outs are no longer available for the U-Pass. 

Online and part time students can now opt-into the health plan at the beginning of the academic year. To opt-in to the health and dental benefits please follow the instructions below:

1. Visit www.studentbenefits.ca

2. Select Laurentian (SGA), then click ‘Go’

3. Select the 'opt-in’ option on the left sidebar and follow the instructions from there

4. Once the deadline to opt-in has closed, you will receive an invoice from the SGA with instructions on how to pay the opt-in fee

5. After payment is received, we will send you a confirmation email

Please allow 5-10 business days for your account to become activated. 

• Once your account is activated please follow steps 1-2, then, click ‘login’ on the left sidebar

• You will be redirected to the Drawbridge portal, please follow the instructions on the screen to complete your registration

At the beginning of the semester the SGA/AGÉ does not have a finalized student list, and unfortunately some students experience issues registering for the benefits during this time.

​

Please keep in mind that as long as you are paying full-time SGA/AGÉ fees (including the health plan), your benefits will become activated and you will be able to make claims for this time period as the plan is retroactive to September 1st.

Please continue to attempt to register every few days. If the end of September arrives and you are still unable to access the benefits, please email sga@laurentian.ca we will provide you with further assistance.

Study rooms can be booked by:

• Visiting the V-Desk

• Emailing sga@laurentian.ca

• Calling us at (705) 673-6547

Study rooms can be booked for a period of 3 hours which can be extended if the room is still available at the end of your session. While it is not required to book a study room, given the limited number of rooms available we do encourage students to make a booking if they want to secure a room. Please note only members can book study rooms. 

There are multiple ways you can get involved with the SGA. 

You can: 

1.  Apply for a job

2.  Volunteer at events

3. Join an SGA ratified club

4. Join the Board of Directors

5. Attend Board of Directors Meetings

6. Run for an executive position 

As per storage needs of the University, student's email will stay activated for up to 2 years after they graduate or stop attending the University, after that, the email will be eliminated from the system and you will lose access to it. We encourage students to forward all important emails and save the important contacts within those 2 years since everything gets automatically deleted after that time frame. No extensions to that period are granted after the 2 years.

Start here! The SGA is here to help you. If you dont know where to start or who to ask then call, email or visit the       V-Desk and we will help point you in the right direction! Our clerks our knowledgeable about not only our services but Laurentian at large. If they can't answer your questions or provide you with help then they are trained to know who to send you to or how to find out who can help you best.