Residence Connection

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

Fall on Campus – Indigenous gathering space — Learn more about this gathering space for learning, ceremony, and reflection.

Have Fun. Be Safe.

We are reminding students that being responsible members of the Residence community and citizens of Kingston is gathering safely and respectfully, and taking care of themselves and their peers over Queen’s Homecoming (October 17–19) and Halloween.

• The City’s University District Safety Initiative (UDSI) is in effect from Friday, October 17 at 9 pm to Sunday, November 2 at 6 am.
• This online info hub outlines how students can avoid court and fines (up to $2,000!) under the city's Nuisance Party Bylaw, alcohol-related offences, and/or non-academic sanctions under the Student Code of Conduct.
• Students have been cautioned that causing building damage or tampering with the fire and life safety system (including equipment, ceiling tiles, exit signs, or pulling fire alarms) violates the Residence Contract. These behaviours can result in eviction from Residence or other sanctions.
• Students are encouraged to follow Safer Substance Use Strategies.
• A Big Breakfast will be served in the Leonard and Jean Royce dining halls on Saturday, October 18 from 7:30 am – 11:30 am.
• The Campus Observation Room (COR), Queen’s overnight on-site non-medical, confidential detox service for students who have had too much to drink, has extended hours over the next few weeks.
• How to Decide Where to Go resource and Health Resources Map can help students find medical treatment options, if they need them.

Navigating Communal Living

Living in a high-density community can be a big adjustment for many students, and occasional disruptions, such as fire alarms, are part of the experience. These alarms are often triggered by everyday mishaps, like steam from kettles or burnt popcorn. We encourage you to remind your student that, with so many people sharing the space, navigating communal living while balancing personal needs takes time. If your student is experiencing any challenges with the adjustment, please encourage them to reach out to their Don or Residence Life Coordinator for support.

Academic Skill Building and Support

Student Academic Success Services (SASS) offers a wide range of academic skills programming to help your student thrive in their studies. Here are a few event highlights to empower your student this term!

Anti-procrastination Skill Share

October 21

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Stauffer Library, Room 108

We all struggle with procrastination, but your student can beat it—and we’re going to show them how! Whether it’s Netflix, TikTok, or cleaning their space that gets in the way of their to-do list, we have the answers. We encourage your student to join us in designing a personalized anti-procrastination plan and get expert tips on tackling their priorities this semester.

Focus and Flourish Booth

October 20, 12:00 pm, Stauffer Library

October 22, 10:30 am, Mitchell Hall

Students can visit the booth and explore simple strategies for coping with academic stress, avoiding burnout, and practicing self-care during busy academic times.

Health and Wellbeing on Campus

As we enter the flu respiratory illness season, it’s important for our students to do what they can to stay healthy and avoid falling behind in classes, missing events, or missing time with others. Student Wellness Services is offering free flu & COVID-19 vaccines to students. Find clinic dates/times and book flu and/or COVID-19 vaccine appointment today! Student Wellness Services (SWS) has guidance for students on when to self-manage symptoms and when to seek medical attention.

• Your student can book an appointment with a physician or nurse on campus if they need medical care.
• 1 in 2 sexually active people will get a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) before age 25, and most won’t have symptoms. Your student can give themselves peace of mind and and book a free STI quick test clinic appointments with Student Wellness Services.


Thrive Week kicks off November 3-7. Students can participate in a series of events focused on building positive mental health for students, staff, and faculty. 

Upcoming Events in Residence

Encourage your student to get involved in residence programming! Date and location details are available on OnQ. Here are some of the upcoming events you can share with your student:

Care Package Making

October 17, 6 pm – 8 pm

Victoria Hall Upper Commons

Off Campus Living Advisor (OCLA) Booth

October 20, 2 pm – 5:30 pm

Ban Righ East Foyer

October 22, 11 am – 2 pm & 4:30 pm – 8 pm

Victoria Hall Upper Commons

October 23, 6:30 pm – 8 pm

Victoria Hall Upper Commons

October 24, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm

Ban Righ East Foyer

OCLA Housemate Search Social

October 20, 5 pm – 6:30 pm

John Deutsch University Centre (JDUC), Room 348

Off Campus Housing Chat

October 21, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Dunning Hall, Room 12

Residence Diwali Celebration

October 21, 7 pm – 9 pm

Jean Royce Private Dining Room, Room C116

Gender Splendor

October 22, 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Yellow House at 140 Stuart Street

Juice & Paint Night

October 22, 7 pm – 8 pm

Endaayaan – Tkanónsote Community Room

Queen's Jeopardy

October 22, 7 pm

Mackintosh-Corry Hall, Room 216

Navigating First Year Frenzy

October 23, 2 – 3:30 pm

Register on the TELUS CHR app

Tricolour Tote Bag Painting

October 24, 6 pm – 8 pm

Ban Righ private dining room

Staying Connected

Our Residence Life & Services team uses regular in-person floor meetings, activities, newsletters, and our digital communication platform OnQ, to connect with students, build community, and inform them about upcoming events, activities and need-to-know information.

If your student is experiencing any challenges, please encourage them to seek support from their Don, professional residence staff, a Residence Mental Health Therapist, or from Student Wellness Services.

Students can provide Don feedback in an upcoming survey by sharing their confidential thoughts and experiences so far. This valuable input ensures our residence student communities receive the right support.

The full-time Residence Life & Services staff works hard to ensure students living in residence feel a sense of belonging, are supported academically, and are provided with opportunities to build resilience.

To reach someone on the professional staff team, please email reslife@queensu.ca.

October Dining Halls News

October is Sustainability Month and Fairtrade Month. We kicked off a series of sustainably focused events with Field to Fork, featuring menus prepared with local farm ingredients. 

Theresa, our Registered Dietitian, hosted a Fairtrade Tabling event that educated students on the importance of fairtrade practices, what it means to be a designated fairtrade campus, and where to find certified products on campus. Students were invited to play Fairtrade trivia, and treated to tiramisu, made in our campus bakeshop with fair trade coffee. We also had a Fairtrade coffee bar where students could build their own beverage with an assortment of flavoured drizzles and whip cream.  

Meal Plan Hacks

Use the app: Leonard dining hall, our largest on main campus, can often experience high traffic between classes. Students on a tight schedule are encouraged to dine at Ban Righ or Jean Royce dining halls or use the Transact Mobile App to schedule a retail meal for pickup. The app can be used to redeem Flex $ or TAMs at retail food locations across campus. 

More Food Locations: NEW this year, KHAO, our new Asian Fusion restaurant, and Clove & Spice, our Shawarma location, have opened on the first floor in the newly renovated JDUC building. These 2 locations allow students to use the Flex $ and TAMs connected to their meal plans to enjoy more variety of campus. Bento, located on third floor, also accepts Flex $, for a wide variety of sushi and bowls. 

Top Up Your Plan: Students who are mainly eating at campus dining halls or with food allergies or dietary needs who may require additional chef support outside of retail food locations, can top up their 19 weekly meals to 21 anytime for additional healthy all-you-care-to eat dining hall meals to fuel their studies. *Prorated rates are based on the date of top up. 

Students can Top Up their plan on the Student Residence & Dining Portal. 

Reload Flex $: Flex $ allows your student to purchase snacks and beverages on the go from campus retail food locations. Flex $ carries over to the next academic year and can be topped up anytime. BONUS: The more you buy, the more bonus Flex $ you earn!

Reload Now 

Send Your Student a Care Package: Wish your busy student good luck on exams and keep them fueled with a Campus Gift’s care package! From baked goods to gluten-free boxes, we have lots to choose from for a snack break from their busy study sessions!

Order Now 

Catch up on Previous Issues

If you missed last month's parent and families newsletter, you can catch up on previous Issues of Residence Connection here.

You can also subscribe to The Pulse, Student Affairs’ monthly e-newsletter for parents and families. Stay in the know about upcoming dates and deadlines, events, services, resources, and more!