Residence Connection

A newsletter for parents & supporters of students living in Residence at Queen's University

Helping Your Student Make New Connections

Staff across Student Affairs are here to support and connect your student to campus services and resources. They are available to help them build community, promote their well-being, and develop their academic, leadership and career planning skills, so they are well-prepared to thrive this year and beyond!

If your student is feeling lonely, here are some tips you can share with them: 

• Recommend they get out their room regularly, particularly if they're in a single room, and explore different locations for studying and socializing.
• Our Residence OnQ page is an excellent resource for details about events in Residence and beyond where they can connect with peers.
• Navigating First Year Frenzy is a weekly group led by our Residence Mental Health Therapists where students will meet their peers and pick up strategies for navigating campus life. Snacks, laughs, and practical tips included.
• Yellow House Student Centre for Equity and Inclusion is a comfortable and accountable space where students who identify as QTBIPoC can feel safe, create community, feel empowered, celebrate their identity, and flourish.
• At Four Directions Indigenous Student Centre, Indigenous students can find study spaces, laundry, a cozy living room, cultural activities, advising, as well as social, academic and well-being programming.
• Queen's University International Centre (QUIC) has a lounge and study spaces. Students are invited to hang out, play board games, study, meet peers, access advisors or join information sessions, workshops, and events.
• Faith and Spiritual Life offers opportunities for connection and socializing, including soup lunches, Lego in the Lobby, and Knit Happens.
• The Student Experience Office runs programs, drop-in sessions and the QSuccess First-Year Mentorship Program.
• The Allyship & Belonging Student Calendar lists events across campus for equity-deserving students and/or allies.
• Every faculty has an active student society that runs events and conferences.
• Encourage your student to get involved in activities and topics that interest them. There are hundreds of student-run clubs.
• Athletics & Recreation offers drop-in recreation programming, intramural sports, and Group Fitness programs.
• Another way to make friends is to try out a part-time job with a university department, an AMS student-run service, or in the community. There are many jobs, as well as volunteer opportunities posted to My Career.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, we recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

In support of this important time of reflection and learning, the university will be offering activities and opportunities for your student to learn, engage, and act toward advancing reconciliation both on and off campus. No classes will be held on September 30.

An important aspect of Truth and Reconciliation work is committing to awareness and self-education of the complex histories and ongoing issues facing Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island (North America). With this, we will be encouraging your student to wear an orange shirt and direct them to educational resources.

Academic Support

• Student Academic Success Services (SASS) can help your student develop their university-level academic skills. Your student can book a one-on-one appointment, attend workshops, or explore online resources.
• If your student needs class or exam accommodations related to a disability, they are encouraged to register ASAP with Queen’s Student Accessibility Services (QSAS).
• Students can request academic consideration if extenuating circumstances come up that affect their academics.

Residence Property and Liability Insurance Opt-Out

Queen’s University is pleased to offer Property and Liability Insurance for students while living in Residence. Through the program, integrated into your student’s Residence Fees, they will receive insurance that covers their personal belongings and protects them against loss or damage they may be liable for. Students who maintain their own insurance throughout their residency can elect to “opt-out” of the program by providing proof of alternate property insurance.

Opt-out by September 30, 2025

Health & Wellness Supports

There are many supports available on campus to promote student health and wellness. Students can:

• Book an appointment with Student Wellness Services (SWS) for medical care, mental health services, accessibility support, and/or wellness coaching.
• Get any vaccines they need, including Meningitis B, which is strongly recommended by KFL&A Public Health, and not part of the provincial routine vaccine series.
• Transfer their prescriptions to a local pharmacy.
• Access 24/7 crisis resources, including Empower Me.
• Join a therapy group, such as Navigating First Year Frenzy.
• Visit the Campus Observation Room (COR), an on-site, overnight, non-medical detox service for students who have had too much to drink.

Meet our Residence Mental Health Therapists

Nadia Sawaya Fehr

Terra Sweigard

Our Residence Mental Health Therapists, Nadia and Terra, are here to help your student navigate their experiences in Residence and at Queen's. As registered psychotherapists, they offer one-on-one professional mental health support.

Your student can schedule an appointment through the TELUS app.

Navigating First-Year Frenzy

Your student is invited to join Navigating First-Year Frenzy, a supportive space led by our Residence Mental Health Therapists designed to help first-year students thrive! Nadia and Terra will guide students through stress reduction, adjusting to academic demands, navigating campus, and mastering the art of adulting.

Thursdays, October 2 – November 27 (excluding October 16) 

2–3:30 pm

Your student can register through the TELUS app.

Looking to Send Mail to Your Student?

Packages must be received and processed in our mailrooms before being released to your student. Please use the format and central addresses below:

For ALL students who live on MAIN campus

Name, Student Number

Watts Hall

23 Lower Albert Street

Queen’s University

Kingston, Ontario

K7L 3V1

For ALL students who live on WEST campus

Name, Student Number

Jean Royce Hall

535 Union Street

Queen’s University

Kingston, Ontario

K7M 2B9

Please note: Processing times vary. We suggest that you do not send time-sensitive packages, such as medications, through the mail. If your student requires medication, have the prescription sent to a local pharmacy.

Campus Gifts Makes Sending Care Packages Easy

Stay connected with your student throughout the year by sending them care packages! Campus Gifts makes it easy. Our online platform offers a selection of gift boxes and care packages that students can pick up right on campus – no shipping!

Meal Plan Hacks 

We want your student to get the most out of their meal plan this year!

Our three All-You-Care-To-Eat dining halls are the foundation of the Residence Weekly 19 Meal Plan, where we offer a variety of diverse food offerings and provide healthy, balanced meals on our 5-week menu cycle.

The “trade a meal” (TAM) option provides students with the flexibility to choose a fixed combo in select retail food locations on campus. TAMs are optional for use and may be subject to change at any given time. As a convenient alternative to the Weekly Meal Plan, TAMs are deducted from the Weekly 19 dining hall allowance.

Meal swipes can be used up to three times per day, for a maximum of 19 meals per week over the academic year. Weekly meals reset to 19 every Monday at 12:01 a.m. Redeemed TAMs are deducted from your student's weekly 19 dining hall meal allowance and can be used up to twice a day, for a maximum of 175 times over the academic year.

Learn More

Does your student have a food allergy, other dietary needs, or do they simply need support with their Meal Plan?

Students are encouraged to reach out directly to our Registered Dietitian. They can email dietitian@queensu.ca and/or book a meeting online to discuss available supports.



Our Registered Dietitian helps students learn how to optimize their Residence Meal Plan, reduce risk, make informed choices, and navigate dining safely in this new setting.

Safety in Residence & in the Kingston Community

At Queen's, we are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment where every student feels respected and valued in Residence, across campus, and in the broader community. We promote safe behaviours and responsible citizenship throughout the year.

To prioritize personal safety, your student can:

• Download the SeQure App for quick access to campus safety and security information. SeQure features campus and local emergency response contacts, crisis alerts, Walk Home contact, Blue Light locations, support services, and much more.
• Access secure bike storage on campus and register their bike to minimize risk in case of bike theft.

Together against hate



Hate, harassment, and discrimination have no place on our campus. We all play a role in challenging hate and promoting safety and respect for all members of our community.

Your student can access resources to help confront, cope with, and report acts of hate, harassment, and discrimination.