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Residence

Expires: April 30, 2028

1. 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 2021-2022 Student Satisfaction & Learning Survey data results, over half of students reported being very or moderately satisfied with the quality of and variety in programming1
  3. Residence Services is dedicated to fostering a safe and welcoming environment with a culture of respect and equity.
  4. Residence Services should communicate clear timelines with respect to notice of entry.
  5. Residents are able to schedule around maintenance staff entering their units and have the opportunity to be present during the 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 Residence Associations 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 Campus Services
    2. Campus Services will ensure Residence Services’ webpages have information on RAC/COC regarding Residence Associations advocacy opportunities.
  8. Residence Advisory Committee (RAC) is 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.
  9. Residence Associations represent and provide services 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 the Graduate Students’ Association;
    2. Coordinating social events;
    3. Providing services as needed.
  10. Members of the residence Associations require office space, living space, the ability to communicate with their constituents, and clear guidelines as to their jurisdiction.
  11. Residence Associations, through the Students’ Union, charge tenants a fee to participate in the association and gain the
    benefits of being a member of the Residence Association;
    1. Residence Associations, through the Students’ Union, will determine the Residence Association Fees that will be
      charged to tenants in Residences who choose to 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.
  12. 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.
  13. According to the 2021-22 Student Satisfaction and Learning Survey data results: Student mental health is
    recovering. With the exception of homesickness, students felts less often overwhelmed by feelings and experiences
    typically associated with languishing mental health relative to last year.12
    1. International students in residence report significantly lower levels of overwhelming anxiety than the 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.
  14. 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.
  15. As of 2023, Residences Services is raising the cost of the meal plan by 6%.
    1. According to the 2021-2022 Student Satisfaction and Learning Survey 56% of residents were dissatisfied with the food quality
      1. In 2022 satisfaction improved by 6%
    2. According to the 2021-2022 Student Satisfaction and Learning Survey 54% of residents were dissatisfied with the variety of meal plan options. 
      1. In 2022 satisfaction improved by 7%
    3. First-year residents and student leaders living are required to purchase the meal plan.
      1. Upper years living in Schaffer Hall are required to purchase the meal plan. 
  16. To keep up with costs of operating residences, occupancy needs to reach near full capacity. Fall 2022 occupancy for all residences was 82%.
  17. The Community Education and Learning team currently staffs an Non-Academic Cohort Leader - Indigenous Students that provides programming tailored to FNMI students in residence.
  18. 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.

2. 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 values such as dignity, respect, safety, equity, learning and community.
  4. The Students’ Union will advocate that Residence Services provide residents with a clear process to schedule around
    maintenance entering their 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 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 Joint 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 advocates for transparency and timely communication from Residence Services regarding any proposed changes to fees or charges related to residence living.
  11. The Students’ Union will work towards achieving a rent cost below 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 work towards to achieving a meal plan whose cost will 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 inclusive, 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 input on food options and delivery 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 competency and understanding of intersectional needs and experiences.
  17. The Students’ Union will advocate that Residence Services prioritizes occupancy planning and management as a key part
    of their operations, with a focus on maximizing occupancy rates and minimizing the need for fee increases, which place the burden of cost onto residents.
  18. The Students’ Union will advocate that all Indigenous educational content be guided and developed in collaboration with an FNMI staff member, elder or knowledge keeper. 
  19. The Students’ Union will advocate for the continuation of Indigenous programming and learning opportunities during
    Basecamp and Ascent.
  20. The Students’ Union will advocate that Residence services develops a list of recommendations to address concerns identified in the Student Satisfaction & Learning Survey.
  21. The Students’ Union will advocate for clear timelines on deferred maintenance in 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 regarding tenancy rights.

3. References 

    1. https://my.visme.co/view/6xqjkozr-owplnmyg6jx72zd6#s1
    2. Ibid. 
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