USSU Services: U-Pass FAQ

U-Pass Questions and Answers

Q: Where do students obtain U-Pass stickers?
A: Stickers can be picked up or reactivated at The USSU Information Centre. These stickers will be placed on your student card.

Q: How much does the U-Pass cost each student?
A: Starting with Term 1 of each school year, each student is assessed a fee of $70.25 per term on their student account.

Q: What if a student loses their U-Pass sticker?
A: Students will receive a new sticker free of charge if theirs’ has been damaged. If they have lost their student card they will have to replace the card and pay a $15.00 replacement charge for the sticker.

Q: What if the student wants to give his/her sticker to another student who wants it but is not eligible under the terms of the referendum?
A: The U-Pass sticker is NOT transferable and any attempt to remove it from a student card will destroy it.

Q: Who is eligible for an exemption?
A: Exemptions include:

1. Students who live in on-campus residences.
2. Students who live outside the city limits during the term.
3. Students who hold a disability parking pass for the U of S.
4. Students enrolled exclusively in distance education courses or programs

Q: When do students need to apply for exemption?
A: Students who are eligible to be exempt from the U-Pass must apply at the USSU Main Office located in the Memorial Union Building from August 16 - September 3 or the USSU Exemption Office (next to the Information Centre in Upper Place Riel) September 7 - September 20. Please bring appropriate proof of status and completed Exemption Form by 4:30 p.m., September 20, 2010.

Students who are enrolled exclusively in distance education should not be assessed the fee by the University and so should not need to apply for exemption, but they should confirm that there are no fees on their account. If one appears, they should contact the USSU office immediately.

Q: If students applied for an exemption at the beginning of September must they apply again in term 2?
A: Students who believe they are eligible for an exemption need to re-apply every term.

Q: What steps do students need to take to apply for an exemption?
A: A form for all exemptions will be available at the USSU Main Office, or can be downloaded from the USSU web site starting August 16, 2010. The form indicates the information that must be provided to the USSU to qualify. This form must be returned to the USSU office by 4:30 p.m. on September 20, 2010. Please refer to the important dates page for Exemption Office locations.

Q: How do students with disabilities apply for an exemption?
A: Disability services is sending the USSU a list of the eligible students, their student numbers, and their date of birth. All students using the accessibility buses are covered by U-Pass, which will ensure they too benefit from the U-Pass.

Q: How do students living outside the city secure an exemption?
A: Students will need to provide 3 pieces of identification with their address and a phone number, proving that they are currently living outside City limits. Please note that the USSU assumes that there is a reasonable distance for students to commute into the city and that home addresses outside Saskatoon, say in Meadow Lake, will not be accepted as out of town residence.

Q: How do students involved in internship or study abroad programs gain exemption?
A: These students should never be assessed the fee. If it appears of their Student Account they should contact the USSU main office.

Q: How do students living in on-campus residences (Ogle Hall, Voyageur Place, and Lutheran Theological Seminary) gain an exemption?
A: Students must fill out a form if they want to be granted an exemption. The USSU receives a list that will be use for confirmation of your status in residence. You may also provide a copy of your lease.

Q: If a student is eligible for an exemption are they required to apply for one or can they have the pass?
A: If a student wants their U-Pass they do not need to apply for exemption but may instead go to the Information Centre to receive their sticker.

On November 5 and 6, 2008, undergraduate students voted whether or not to make the Universal Bus Pass (U-Pass) permanent. The question was: