Quick tips for new and returning students

Looking to get your Student Identification card?

Wondering about wireless access and obtaining your class books?

Be sure to read through these helpful tips and information for new students!

Getting From One Campus to the Other

Travelling between our two campuses is fast and easy with the free Concordia shuttle bus. The shuttle bus takes students directly from one campus to the other in approximately 20 minutes. Consult the shuttle bus schedule page for regularly updated bus times and information. Click here to view the campus maps online.

Birks Student Service Centre

The Birks Student Services Centre is located on the ground floor of the LB Building in room LB 185. At Birks, you can obtain official documents for a variety of academic purposes. They offer a number of services, including tuition and fee payments, issuing of Concordia Student ID cards, official transcript requests, Quebec Provincial Residency and Permanent Code information, as well as the processing of paperwork for exam deferrals, degree transfers, re-admission, late completions, re-evaluations and appeals.

F.A.S.T. Services

To help you move quickly through your student services needs during the first few weeks of the term you can also visit the Front-line Administrative Services Team (F.A.S.T.) set up within Birks, as well as in the atrium of the LB building. At the F.A.S.T. kiosks you are able to create your student ID card, obtain general student account information, as well as receive assistance accessing the wireless network on your laptop or mobile device. Visit F.A.S.T. for more information.

Concordia Student ID card

Your Concordia student ID card is your school identification. You will need an ID card to borrow materials from the libraries, to take the shuttle bus from one campus to the other, and to prove your identity at final exams. Obtain your Concordia student ID card at the Birks Student Services Centre or from a F.A.S.T. kiosk in the atrium of the LB building.

In order to have an ID card made, you will need to bring:

1. A piece of photo identification (such as a provincial driver’s license or passport)
2. Your Offer of Admission or a class schedule

Student Bus Pass

How to get your OPUS card:
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) offers a reduced-fare monthly bus/metro pass. Here is how to get your OPUS card:

1. Go to the STM website and obtain the OPUS form.
2. Take the completed form to Birks to be stamped verifying full-time study
3. Bring your stamped OPUS form, along with proof of residence and OPUS card fee, to one of the designated STM stations to have your photo taken

For more information on where to have your OPUS card made, as well as fees and travel fare details, please consult the STM website.

Agenda

Every year the Concordia Student Union (CSU) provides students with a free agenda. You can pick yours up from the CSU office on the seventh floor of the Hall building (H-711) during the first few weeks of classes. For a complete list of all the important term dates to enter in your agenda, see Academic Calendar Dates.

Wireless Access

You can access wireless internet from your laptop or mobile device around both campuses; simply log onto the Concordia University network using your Concordia Netname and password. If you need assistance logging onto the network, contact the staff at Instructional and Information Technology Services (IITS)

Required Booklist

Near the beginning of the semester your professors will start to make the lists of required textbooks available online. You can find out what books you will need two ways; by accessing the Booklist on the MyConcordia Portal (under the “Academic” tab) or by going to the Concordia University Bookstores website and simply keying in your student ID number.

Concordia University Bookstores

Concordia has two bookstores, one on each campus. The SGW bookstore is located on the main floor of the J.W. McConnell (LB) building, and the Loyola bookstore is located in the Communication Studies and Journalism (CJ) building. Along with your textbooks and coursepacks, the bookstores carry binders, notebooks, pens and pencils, so there is no need to run across town to get the basics. As a proud new Concordian, you can also grab some Concordia gear: t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies and bobbleheads – just to name a few.

Visit the bookstore website for more information.

Course Reserves

The Concordia University Libraries keep course materials on reserve so that students can access textbooks, class notes and multimedia resources throughout the term. Course reserves have shorter loan times, but can be a great alternative to investing in some materials.

Concordia ComputerStore

Students can purchase a wide array of hardware and software at our two ComputerStore locations. If you’re looking for a new computer, portable media player or printer, the ComputerStore is sure to have something for you. The ComputerStore’s trained technicians are available to assist you with all your high-tech questions. For locations, store hours and more information on products and services visit the ComputerStore website.

Engineering and Computer Science Calculators

For those of you studying in the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, you must have one of the department-specified calculator models to be used during the exam period.

The approved models are the Sharp EL-531 W and the Casio FX-300MS. Any calculator other than these models will not be accepted. In order to prove that your calculator is an officially accepted model you will need to receive an approval sticker from the ENCS department (EV 2.189).

Class Location

The MyConcordia portal has your class schedule and locations. Log onto MyConcordia portal to select “Academic” and then “My Class Schedule.” You can also find out at the Information Desk in the Hall Building lobby, or by phoning 514-848-2424 ext. 8767.

Obtaining a Locker

Students can sign up for lockers as of the first day of classes. Please log onto the MyConcordia portal, then select "Other services" then "Get a Locker".