The Department of Housing and Residence Life Services provides a variety of resources and support services that enhance the student experience, allowing for personal growth and academic development.
Entering university is a significant transitional period in one’s life, and can bring about feelings and situations that you may not have encountered before. Familiarizing yourself with the resources available to you in residence can provide some reassurance that you will be well supported throughout your adjustment to life on campus. Below you can find some initial information about some of the key supports we offer to help set you up for success so that you can engage positively as a member of the residence community.
Residence Fellows
Residence Fellows are upper-year students who live and work on each floor in residence. There is at least one Residence Fellow assigned to each floor in the community. These staff act as role models and are available to provide you with support and resources during your time in residence. Residence Fellows will connect with students throughout the year, host various community events and learning opportunities, and act as community leaders.
Residence Fellows have been through the experience of transitioning to residence, and are there to make the adjustment easier for you. They work throughout the year to create an inclusive community that is conducive to learning, academic success, and personal growth.
Residence Managers
Our community has five full-time Residence Managers who are professional staff that supervise the Residence Fellows in their respective buildings. Residence Managers are also available to provide support to students, and play an important role in creating an inclusive and educational community. Residence Managers live on site and are on a rotating 24/7 on-call schedule to ensure that residence students have access to constant support.
Get in touch: your Residence Fellow can put you in touch with your Residence Manager as needed. You can see who the Manager for your building is here
Residence Counselling
Residence students have access to a professional counselling service that is available specifically for students who live on campus. The Residence Counsellors provide short term, confidential counselling for students to assist them in managing mental and emotional challenges and promoting healthy living. Appointments can be made online or over the phone, and a limited number of same-day appointments are available to support students in crisis. The Residence Counselling office in Renfrew House is also home to our Wellness Space, which students can visit to unwind and find resources and materials that promote wellbeing.
Get in touch: appointments can be made in person, online or over the phone- more details can be found here
Mental Wellness Mentors
The Mental Wellness Mentors is a peer-based mentorship program designed to support residence students in their transition to university. The Mentors are upper-year student staff who are trained to provide coping strategies and structured supports to assist students with mental wellbeing, self-awareness and transitional challenges. Students that join the program will meet with their Mentor one-on-one throughout the academic year to access support and focus on goal setting to help facilitate a smooth adjustment to life on campus.
Residence Case Manager
The Residence Case Manager supports student success and wellness by connecting you with resources based on your individual needs. There are many resources available to students both on and off campus, however, it may feel overwhelming to navigate these alone. The Case Manager’s role is to simplify the process of getting the help you need. You can think of this service as your one-stop shop for information about a variety of resources related to academics, community engagement, mental health, employment, finances and more.
Wellness Services Navigator
Not sure which resource is right for you? Try the online Wellness Services Navigator to explore your options. This tool can be used at any time and will prompt you to answer some questions about yourself and your circumstances in order to provide a list of resources that may assist in supporting your individual needs.