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September 24, 2026
Issue 8
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Your Weekly Update
Residence News
| | Stay up-to-date with all the latest happenings in residence and on campus. | | |
   
 
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  Get involved and stay informed! | |
This week's newsletter is packed – from resources to help you find community to initiatives for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, there are plenty of ways to connect, learn, and grow in Residence and across campus.
Important updates include information about voting in the municipal election, opting out of your Residence Property and Liability Insurance, and more.
Read on to stay in the loop!
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The Shift Project at Queen's hosts initiatives, campaigns, and events that aim to break down barriers among students, build allyship, and work towards a campus culture where everyone feels like they belong.
Throughout the year, you will see posters pop up across residence buildings, featuring upper-year students sharing their advice and experiences on building an equitable campus and making friends.
The photo above features Syd – you'll hear more from them soon!
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Find your community!
If you're struggling to make new connections and find your footing, you are not alone.
Here are some tips for making new friends and connecting with like-minded people:
| | Will you be 18 years old on or before October 26? You can vote in the City of Kingston Municipal Election! | | |
If you are a student and consider your "home" to be the place where you live when you are not attending school, which means you plan on returning there, then you are eligible to vote in both your "home" municipality and in the municipality where you currently live while attending school – Kingston!
How do I vote?
Register to vote here: cityofkingston.ca/vote. This will ensure you receive a Voter Information Letter in the mail, allowing you to vote online and in person.
What if I don’t have a Voter Information Letter?
If you don’t have a Voter Information Letter, you can bring one of the acceptable voter identification documents listed on the City of Kingston Voter website.
You will need ID and proof of address if your Kingston address is not included on your ID (See above link for accepted forms of ID). You can find your confirmation of residence on the Housing and Ancillary Services Portal.
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Residence Property and Liability Insurance – Opt Out by September 30
Queen’s University provides Property and Liability Insurance for students living in Residence. This coverage is included in your Residence Fees and protects your personal belongings, as well as any loss or damage you may be held liable for.
If you already have your own property insurance, you may choose to opt out of the program by submitting proof of alternate coverage.
Opt out by September 30, 2026
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Upcoming Residence Events
Learn about academic support resources, study and connect in neuro-affirming environments, and celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival in Residence. Visit the Residence Event Calendar for all event details!
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Consent Colouring Take and Make
Thursday, September 24
5–7 pm at Ban Righ dining hall
Unwind with a colouring activity! Stay and colour, or pick up a colouring sheet and crayons to go.
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Global First Year Connect
Thursday, September 24
5–7 pm
Endaayaan – Tkanónsote Community Room
New country, new campus, new connections!
Join us monthly in residence in the Endaayaan – Tkanónsote Community Room for Global First Year Connect – a space for first-year international students to meet new people, build connections, have fun, and simply hang out with others who are navigating their first year too!
You don’t need to live in residence to join us! Come as you are, bring a friend, and make Queen’s feel a little more like home. No registration is required.
For more dates this semester, check out our Residence Event Calendar.
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Mid-Autumn Festival Lantern Making
Friday, September 25
5–7 pm
Ban Righ dining hall
Join us to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and create your own paper lantern!
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National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Booths
Monday, September 28 and Tuesday, September 29
11 am – 1 pm and 5–7 pm both days
Ban Righ dining hall
Residence Life and Services staff will be in Ban Righ dining hall during lunch and dinner times on September 28 and 29 to share information about the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Stop by to learn more and contribute to our student reflection and commitment wall.
Learn more about events and initiatives for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Queen's.
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Low-Sensory Study Night
Tuesday, September 29
6–8 pm
Endaayaan – Tkanónsote Study Room
Drop in and enjoy supported, low-sensory study sessions every other Tuesday with:
- Dimmed lights
- Minimal distractions
- Quiet snacks
- Fidget tools
- Study supplies
- Access to the Sensory Room
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Neuro-Affirming Social Night for Engineers
Tuesday, September 29
6:30–8:30 pm
Endaayaan – Tkanónsote Community Room
Come join us for parallel play, community, and snacks!
This event is open to all undergraduate engineers who consider themselves neurodivergent, think they may be neurodivergent, or just benefit from a neuro-affirming environment. Gather to hang out, watch (or play) some MarioKart, do puzzles, eat some food, and meet other neurodivergent students in a sensory friendly environment with access to a sensory room! Smith Engineering Neurodivergent Support Program staff will be on site to answer any questions and provide support.
Registration is not required but welcomed: Neuro-Affirming Social Night for Engineers
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Hillel's Monthly First-Year Drop In: Candy Bar & Friendship Bracelets!
Thursday, October 1
6:30–8 pm
Endaayaan – Tkanónsote Community Room
Meet other Jewish students on campus! Join Hillel Queen's for an evening of crafts and connection.
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SASS Booth
Thursday, October 1
6:30–8:30 pm
Leggett Hall
Visit the SASS Peer Volunteers to learn more about the resources and appointments available with Student Academic Success Services.
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Quiet and Courtesy Hours
Living in Residence means learning to enjoy your space while being considerate of your neighbours.
Quiet Hours are in effect:
- Sunday to Thursday from 11 pm – 8 am
- Friday and Saturday from 1 am – 8 am
Courtesy Hours are always in effect. Please be mindful of how your actions affect those around you.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to study, sleep, and relax without unnecessary disruption!
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Noisy neighbours?
If you find others in your community are being disruptive:
- Try and approach them respectfully and explain how the noise volume is impacting you.
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If you need further support, call in a noise complaint to your Residence Front Desk at 613-533-2531. The Don on call will come and address the issue.
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Uniformed staff from Campus Security & Emergency Services (CSES) regularly patrol Residence to ensure a supportive environment, with additional patrols on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. Reach the Emergency Report Centre directly at 613-533-6111.
For more details, please see your Residence Contract (sections 4.10.1, 4.10.2, and 4.10.8).
| | Your mental health matters – register for therapy groups! | |
PEGaSUS Group for survivors of sexual violence

PEGaSUS Group is a space for women and non-binary identified students who have experienced sexual violence. Through support and education, students will have the opportunity to develop skills and strengths that build resilience and foster a sense of self-empowerment.
Fall sessions will be held on Tuesdays from 4–5:30 pm, September 29 to December 1 (except October 13). Location details upon registration.
Registration closes after the second session.
Register for PEGaSUS
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Navigating First Year Frenzy

The first session begins next week! Join your Residence Mental Health Therapists for Navigating First Year Frenzy. Grab snacks, meet other first-year students, play games, and learn how to handle the transition into university life and manage overwhelm.
Fall sessions will be held every Thursday, 2:30–4 pm, October 1 – November 26 (except October 15).
Register for NFYF
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Mid-Autumn Festival!
Friday, September 25
4:30–9 pm
Ban Righ dining hall
Celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with a sampling of traditional Mooncakes during dinner. Available while quantities last!
Bonus: Join us for lantern-making from 5–7 pm (see details in the Residence Events section)!
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Join our Diwali menu tasting!
Do you celebrate Diwali? We are looking for 4–8 students to participate in a Diwali menu tasting on Tuesday, October 13.
If you are interested in participating and providing your feedback on dining hall menu features, please email dietitian@queensu.ca. Participants will be compensated with an honorarium.
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Enjoy more dining hall meals
If you would like more than 19 meals per week, you can top up to 21! Visit the Hospitality Services Office in Victoria Hall, room E022, to add 2 more meals per week to your meal plan for the remainder of the academic year. Applicable fees apply.
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Discovered the all-day waffle bar at Ban Righ yet?
In the seating area, you will find an all-day waffle bar where you can bake your own fluffy waffle with custom toppings. Choose from whipped cream, chocolate or caramel drizzle, and sprinkles!
Available daily from 11 am – 7 pm.
| | Learn more about the artwork, "Rooted Remembrance" by Mazinibii'ige, Kaiya Mongrain, here. | | National Day for Truth And Reconciliation | | |
Queen's University is honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation from September 12 to October 3.
In support of this important moment of reflection and learning, the university is offering activities and opportunities for the Queen's community to learn, engage, and act toward advancing reconciliation both on and off campus. No classes will be held on September 30.
We encourage you to attend the Sacred Fire on September 30 at 1 pm at Agnes Benedickson Field.
More events and initiatives include:
- Inendaagwad wiisiniwin: Food for Thought with Dr. Barbara Motthewenkwe Wall on September 24, 5:30 pm, at Duncan McArthur Hall Auditorium
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Harvest Moon Celebration with David R. Maracle on September 30, 8–10 pm, at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts. Free to students!
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Purchase your Orange Shirt
Orange T-shirts will be available for purchase until Wednesday, September 30.
Remaining purchase slots:
- Tuesday, September 29, 12–3 pm in the Queen's Centre Atrium (284 Earl Street)
- Wednesday, September 30, 11 am – 12:30 pm at Agnes Benidickson Field (ahead of Sacred Fire event)
Payment follows a sliding scale from $10 to $20 – please give what you can. There is also an option to “pay it forward” by purchasing a t-shirt for someone else. Payment will be by card only.
Learn More
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Participate in U-Flourish
Tell us what you need to succeed at Queen’s. The U-Flourish Well-Being & Academic Success Survey is a study that aims to better understand and address the needs of university students across Canada and the UK over time.
Participants can redeem one free hot tea/coffee from The Brew or a hot or iced tea/coffee from Common Ground during the survey period. You also enter a prize draw for the chance to win one of five iPads!
The survey is open until October 9th, 2026.
Check your Queen’s email for the link and learn more here.
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Connect & find resources on socials!
Prefer to get your updates on Instagram? Follow @queensures for residence updates and to discover events and services across campus.
Plus, our link hub features up-to-date resources in one easy place!
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