Residence

1. Expires: April 30, 20232028

   11. Facts

   1. Residents require livable spaces in compliance with the Province of Alberta’s Minimum Housing Standards.
   2. Residents pay for and expect the quality services and programming that come with the value-added experience of living in residence.
      1. According to the 2018 Residence Services Resident2021-2022 Student Satisfaction and& Learning Survey data results^[1]:results, Overall, onlyover half of students livingreported in residence are somewhat tobeing very or moderately satisfied with the quality of and variety ofin programming offered in residence.¹
   3. Residence Services is dedicated to fostering a safe and welcoming environment with a culture of respect, equity,respect and growthequity.^[2].
   4. Residence Services should followcommunicate clear deadlinestimelines with respect to inspections and notice of entry.
   5. Residents need to beare able to schedule around maintenance staff entering their units and have the opportunity to be present during move-in,the interim,time that maintenance staff are present. 
   6. Campus Services do not do inspections that require the student to be present. They have to be able to enter suites to do
      maintenance, however, at times, these visits can't practically be arranged when the student is present, particularly if the repair requires immediate attention.
   7. Residents and move-outResidence inspections.
   8. Residents, student leaders and employeesAssociations should feel that they have some control of their environment through consultation according to the Student Participation Protocol.
      1. Residence Associations should be equipped with the tools and resources necessary to advocate effectively to Residence Services and AncillaryCampus Services
      2. Campus Services will ensure Residence Services’ webpages have information on RAC/COC regarding Residence Associations advocacy opportunities.
   9. Residence AssociationsAdvisory areCommittee Student(RAC) Representativeis the committee that ensures open and effective communication between student
      residence associations and senior Campus Services administration in relation to issues which have a direct impact on the student experience, including budgeting and rent issues.
      
   10. Residence Associations and should have the opportunity to make decisions on behalf ofrepresent and provide programsservices to all students living in their residence. This includes, but is not
       limited to:
       1. Representing the students to Residence Services, the Students’ Union, and servicesthe forGraduate theirStudents’ constituents.Association;
       2. ResidenceCoordinating social events;
       3. Providing services as needed.
   11. Members of the residence Associations require office space, living space, the ability to communicate with their constituents, and clear guidelines as to their jurisdiction.
   12. Residence AssociationAssociations, financesthrough requirethe transparentStudents’ Union, charge tenants a fee to participate in the association and efficientgain feethe
       benefits collection,of financialbeing regulationa andmember administration,of andthe supportResidence Association;
       1. Residence Associations, through the Students’ Union, will determine the Residence Association Fees that will be
          charged to tenants in orderResidences who choose to function.participate in a Residence Association; and
       2. The University has agreed to collect the Residence Association fees (the “Residence Association
          Fees”) in conjunction with other fees that the University collects from its tenants.
   13. Shared residence on University properties are exempt from the Residential Tenancies Act.
       1. Residence Services needs to be consistent and transparent with all landlord-tenant matters and consistently apply the principles and practices of natural and restorative justice.
   14. According to the 2018 Residence Services Resident2021-22 Student Satisfaction and Learning Survey data results: YearStudent overmental year,health residentsis
       recovering. self-reportWith considerablethe to great levels of stress, loneliness, homesickness, isolation, depression, and overwhelming anxiety.
       1. Non-cisgender students report significantly higher levelsexception of homesickness, loneliness,students anxiety,felts less often overwhelmed by feelings and depressionexperiences
          typically andassociated significantlywith lowerlanguishing levelsmental ofhealth acceptance comparedrelative to theirlast cisgenderyear.¹ peers.
       2. International students in residence report significantly lower levels than domestic students in feeling that someone in residence cares about their well-being.
       1. International students in residence report significantly lower levels of acceptanceoverwhelming for their cultural identityanxiety than domesticthe students.average student living in residence
       2. BIPOC students report significantly higher levels of loneliness and feelings of isolation and exclusion than the
          average student living in residence.
       3. According to Campus Services 2022-23 Residence Rates, the meal plan rate spending on the plan cost $4,548 or $5,211 and the Rental total ranges from $5, 010 - $15,056.
          1. These rates respectively represent a 3% and 2.25% increase in price from the 2021-22 year Residence Rates.
       4. As of 2018,2023, Residence Services is raising rent costs by up to 5% annually for 3 years, with any additional increases needing to be approved by the Board of Governors.
       5. As of 2018, ResidenceResidences Services is raising the cost of the meal plan by up to CPI annually for 3 years, with any additional increases needing to be approved by the Board of Governors.6%.
          
          1. StudentsAccording in residence reportto the largest2021-2022 concernStudent regardingSatisfaction theand mealLearning planSurvey is the quality56% of residents were dissatisfied with the food offered.
          quality
          1. StudentsIn in2022 residencesatisfaction haveimproved anby overwhelmingly negative response to the value of the meal plan.6%
          2. AsAccording to the 2021-2022 Student Satisfaction and Learning Survey 54% of 2019,residents Residencewere Servicesdissatisfied iswith conductingthe anvariety occupancyof managementmeal reviewplan options. 
             1. In 2022 satisfaction improved by 7%
          3. First-year residents and creatingstudent anleaders occupancyliving managementare strategicrequired to purchase the meal plan.
             1. SeveralUpper residencesyears living in EastSchaffer CampusHall are strugglingrequired withto occupancy,purchase withthe ratesmeal consistentlyplan. around
             70%,
             with
          some
          as low as 40%.
       6. To keep up with the costs of operating Residenceresidences, Services,occupancy residences needneeds to be operating atreach near full capacity.
       Fall 2022 occupancy for all residences was 82%.
   15. The ResidenceCommunity Education and Learning team currently staffs an AboriginalNon-Academic ProgrammerCohort Leader - Indigenous Students that provides programming tailored to FNMI students in residence.
   16. In response to the UASU advocacy, Residence Services committed to significant reforms in regards to Sexual Violence training and education in residence which took effect on Fall of 2022. The reforms include:
       1. The Residence Care Coordinator delivered a presentation at the Joint Executive Training this year that focused on where disclosures should be directed, and what survivors can expect from residence following a disclosure.
       2. 2-3 professional staff from the Community Social Work Team and the Sexual Assault Centre were available in a comfortable space connected to the Pavillion during the Keynote.
       3. All students moving into residence were required to complete a Mandatory Move-In Module, part of which included information developed about consent and how residence responds to disclosures.
       4. Coordinated with Sexual Assault Centre to provide 1:1 virtual roleplays to all RAs and SRAs working in residence by October 1st.

   22. Resolutions

   1. The Students’ Union will advocate for accessible, affordable, clean, comfortable, and secure residences for students.
   2. The Students’ Union will advocate for quality and inclusive residence services and programming that are catered to
      equity-denied groups. These programs and services should provide valuable learning outside of the classroom and align with the needs of the community.
   3. The Students’ Union will advocate that Residence Services continually work to foster residence community culturesvalues withsuch coreas principlesdignity, ofrespect, safety, equity, inclusivity, respect,learning and growth.community.
   4. The Students’ Union will advocate that Residence Services provide residents with sufficienta noticeclear andprocess detailto regardingschedule all around
      maintenance requestsentering andtheir unit inspections,unit(s), allowing residents to be present during the time of entry.
   5. The Students’ Union will advocate that Residence Services provide opportunities for stakeholder input in large and day-to-day decision making through consultation according to the University of Alberta Student Participation Protocol.Process Handbook. 
   6. The Students' Union will advocate that Residence Services include residents and student leaders in consultation processes regarding changes to food provider services in residence.
   7. The Students’ Union will advocate that Residence Services effectively involve the Students’ Union and the Vice President Student Life in the trainingJoint Executive Training of associated student leaders in residence and provide them with the necessary tools and resources to best fulfill their mandates.
   8. The Students’ Union will advocate that Residence Services collect ongoing feedback and evaluate effectiveness of the Joint Executive Training sessions to inform and improve future training programs and ensure that the needs and perspective of leaders are continually considered in shaping the student experience.
   9. The Students’ Union will advocate for the fair treatment and support of Residence Associations, and that they be included for high level decision-making processes that impact residents’ experiences, so that they can best fulfill their mandates.
   10. The Students’ Union willadvocates advocatefor thattransparency theand timely communication from Residence Services regarding any proposed changes to fees or charges related to residence fee schedule be consistent with respect to expenses and approved in a transparent manner.living.
   11. The Students’ Union will opposework towards achieving a rent cost increases abovebelow the agreed 5% unless increased funds are shown to directly benefit students living in residence.
   12. The Students’ Union will advocate for a predictable funding model for rent costs, reflective of the entirety of a resident’s time on campus.
   13. The Students’ Union will opposework towards to achieving a meal plan whose cost increaseswill not increase above CPI unless increased funds are shown to directly benefit students living in residence.
   14. The Students’ Union will advocate that Residence Services provide qualityinclusive, high-quality, and nutritious food options that meet the dietary needs and restrictions of all residents.
   15. The Students’ Union will advocate for residence services to offer multiple opportunities for residents to provide feedback and increaseinput theon perceivedfood valueoptions associatedand withdelivery the meal plan.methods.
   16. The Students’ Union will advocate for increased mental health supports for students living in residence, with a focus on hiring service providers with cultural mental health supportscompetency and intersectionality.understanding of intersectional needs and experiences.
   17. The Students’ Union will advocate that Residence Services continuallyprioritizes consultoccupancy planning and management as a key part
       of their operations, with residentsa focus on maximizing occupancy rates and Residence Associations regardingminimizing the Occupancyneed Managementfor Planfee andincreases, preventwhich placingplace the burden of cost onto residents.
   18. The Students’ Union will advocate that theall AboriginalIndigenous Programmereducational content be guided and developed in collaboration with an FNMI studentstaff member, elder or knowledge keeper. 
   19. The Students’ Union will advocate for the continuation of Indigenous programming and thelearning programmingopportunities offered is relevantduring
       Basecamp and valuableAscent.
   20. The Students’ Union will advocate that Residence services develops a list of recommendations to FNMIaddress studentsconcerns identified in residence.the Student Satisfaction & Learning Survey.
   21. The Students’ Union will advocate for clear timelines on deferred maintenance in residence.residence be sent to the Residence
       Advisory Committee. 
   22. The Students’ Union will advocate that the Government of Alberta provide capital funds towards the development of additional student housing, only when such capital funds demonstrate a commitment to affordable housing.
   23. The Students’ Union will advocate that shared University residences be included under provincial regulation or legislation.legislation regarding tenancy rights.
   1. ↑ Johnson, J. (2018). 2017-2018 Student Satisfaction & Learning Survey Overview. PowerPoint presentation at the Joint Residence Oversight Committee, SUB 2-275
   1. ↑ https://cloudfront.ualberta.ca/-/media/ualberta/office-of-the-provost-and-vice-president/vice-provost-and-dean-of-students/documents/reports/rltfreportfinal-march2017.pdfmy.visme.co/view/6xqjkozr-owplnmyg6jx72zd6#s1