August 27, 2026

Issue 4

Stay up-to-date with all the latest happenings in residence and on campus.

Wondering what happens after move-in on September 5?

Keep an eye out for posters on your floor that communicate when your first floor dinner and your first community meeting (we call it Uni 101) are happening, hosted by your Residence Don. During Uni 101, your Residence Don will welcome you to Queen’s, share some important information, and give you a chance to meet the other residents on your floor. 

Orientation starts off that evening on Tindall Field with Welcome Home Night. To learn more about orientation, you can visit the Fall Orientation Website. We will share more about what to expect in next week's September 3rd newsletter.

Before you get your keys

Prior to your arrival, please ensure that you submit your photo for your student ID card (see the email from the Registrar’s Office) and sign the Residence Contract during your move-in time slot selection process.



You will not be able to select a move-in time slot or check into residence if you have not completed these tasks.

Zone Cards & Move-In Map

During the week of August 31, you will receive an email with a zone card for your residence building. You will need to print the zone card in colour prior to your arrival. Coloured zone cards provide directions to your residence building unloading zone and the route to your designated parking lot.  

After you unload, you can park for up to 3 hours in your designated parking lot for free. Please set your coloured zone card on the dashboard of your vehicle. Let your family and supporters know they should plan to depart as soon as they can to make room for other students and their families arriving after you.

Don't use Google Maps, Waze, or other navigation apps on Move-In Day! Many roads will be closed or turned into one-way streets to ease congestion. By following your coloured zone card directions, you will save time and help to ensure a smooth Move-In. 

Download our Move-In Map for a preview of all the routes. If you are moving in on Friday, keep a close eye on your Queen's email for specific Friday Move-In instructions. 

Early Arrival Groups

If you are in a designated early arrival group, you have or will receive specific move-in instructions to your Queen's email.

Mail & Parcel Delivery

Planning to order mail or parcels to campus during the academic year? Please review the important information below to ensure timely and accurate delivery.

Your mailing address 

All student mail is delivered to centralized mail depots, not directly to individual residence buildings. When ordering or sending packages, please use the following address formats.

All students on Main Campus:

Full Name, Student Number

Watts Hall

23 Lower Albert St.

Queen’s University

Kingston, ON K7L 3V1

All students on West Campus:

Full Name, Student Number

Jean Royce Hall

535 Union St.

Queen’s University

Kingston, ON K7M 2B9

Urgent deliveries

A reminder that deliveries will not be accepted at the Residence Mail Depot before August 31, 2026. Please do not arrange for packages to arrive before this date. Any items delivered prior to August 31, 2026, may be returned to the sender. 

The Residence Mail Depot will begin distributing student parcels on September 6, 2026. 

We encourage you to ship time-sensitive items to your permanent address, bring essentials with you, or purchase them locally. We receive a high volume of parcels in the first month of the academic year, and our team works hard to process all parcels within 48 hours. Please avoid shipping medications, urgent course materials, or any items needed immediately upon arrival to the Mail Depot. 

Parcel pick-up

Once your parcel is marked as delivered by the courier, please allow 24–48 hours before attempting to retrieve it.

You will receive an email from the Front Desk once your parcel is ready for pickup. This email will include a Parcel Code which you must present, along with your Student ID, when collecting your parcel.

What to Bring

• A personal computer

• Bedding and a favourite pillow* — consider ordering from Campus Linens ahead of time

• Ethernet cable

• Wireless router (optional)* — more information at ResIT Services

• Small fridge* (3.5 cubic feet or smaller) — rent your dorm room fridge from Coldex!

• Reusable water bottle — Queen’s is a water bottle-free campus

• Reusable coffee thermos or mug

• Cloth or another type of safe, reusable mask

• Reusable shopping bags and storage containers

• Earplugs

• Bathrobe and container for soap, shampoo, etc.

• Shower flip flops

• Laundry basket or bag

• Desk lamp

• Hangers

• Memory foam

• Alarm clock

• Storage boxes for your room

• Favourite books and decorations

• Sticky-tack adhesive for decorations

• Dishware and eating utensils

• Small first aid kit, thermometer, hand sanitizer, flashlight and batteries

• Winter clothing (scarves, hats, coats, etc.)

• Semi-formal wear

*Some rooms may require different-sized bed sheets or may come with mini-fridges or wireless internet. Visit our building pages to learn more.

What to Leave at Home

• Beer bottles and drinking games 

• Alcohol and illegal drugs 

• Hotplates, toaster ovens, microwaves, rice cookers, and small cooking appliances – remember that Coldex microwave/fridge combination rentals are permitted as per your Residence Contract

• Candles, fireworks, or firecrackers 

• Halogen lamps or sunlamps 

• Large stereos 

• Furniture — rooms come furnished, and you are not permitted to remove any furniture from your room 

• Weapons of any type or size — martial arts weapons must be stored outside of residence) 

• Pets — with the exception of approved service animals, or if you're living in a pet-friendly unique community

• Single-use plastic water bottles, packaging, and cardboard

Please note Queen’s is a 

• Smoke and vape free campus

• Bottled water free campus 

Move-In Webinar Replay

If you missed the Move-In Webinar, you can watch the replay below. We discuss getting to campus, key pick-up, what to bring, how Move-In works, and other considerations for the big day.

Sign up for First-Year Intramurals!

One of the best ways to get active and get social is through our First-Year Intramural Sport Leagues – mixed leagues organized exclusively for incoming first-year students.

This fall, choose one of:

• Monday – Volleyball (Mixed)
• Tuesday – Basketball (Mixed)
• Wednesday – Dodgeball (Mixed)

How it works:

• Fill out the short sign-up form below to register your interest and tell us which sport you'd like to play.
• We'll use everyone's responses to build 8 teams in each league.
• You'll get a follow-up email confirming if you were placed on a team and next steps before the season kicks off.

Please note that we cannot guarantee a spot for everyone who fills out the form. However, there will be opportunities to join teams as free agents throughout the season.

Before you bring it: this week's sustainable move-in tip!

Did you know that even a handful of waste in the wrong place can contaminate an entire bin of recycling, sending it straight to landfill?  



Move-in comes with a lot of questions, including “Where does this go?” Before tossing something out, review the signage in the garbage room or ask a move-in volunteer what to do. You can also use the Waste Wizard to help. When in doubt, don’t just throw it out! Your help to dispose of waste properly makes a positive impact on our Residence community’s sustainability goals.  

Wasteless Move-In tips

Have you registered for Navigating First Year Frenzy yet?

Your first year doesn't have to feel like a free fall into chaos. Navigating First Year Frenzy is a weekly, therapist-led group where you'll meet fellow students, get real about what's ahead, and pick up strategies for navigating campus life. Snacks, laughs, and practical tips included.

Mobile Order with your Meal Plan!

Yes, your Residence Meal Plan works with our Mobile Ordering app! Simply download the app, connect your student account, and start ordering meals, snacks, and beverages from many food locations on campus. Ordering ahead makes it easy and convenient for you to grab food between classes.

Follow @queensfood on Instagram!

Be the friend who knows what’s going on in the dining halls! Whether it’s a special menu, fun pop-ups, or cultural events, never miss a moment to get together with your new friends by following @queensfood.

Do you have a food allergy or other dietary needs? 

• Ensure you have completed the Food Allergy and Dietary Needs Form before arriving to campus.  
• Book an appointment with our Registered Dietitian to discuss food options on the meal plan to meet your dietary needs and how to make safe and informed dining choices.  

Learn More about allergy and dietary supports

Fall Orientation

​​​​​​Fall Orientation is made up of University Orientation programming and Faculty Orientation programming. Both aspects of Fall Orientation support your transition to university and get you prepared for the school year ahead!

University District Safety Initiative

The University District Safety Initiative (UDSI) aims to decrease disruptive behaviours and strain on emergency services that have historically arisen when large street parties take place during Move-In,Fall Orientation, and other high-traffic periods. The City of Kingston has a protocol to address safety concerns regarding conduct in residential areas near the university, and will enact the University District Safety Initiative from August 28 at 12:01 am to September 13 at 6 am. Gord Downie Pier will be closed in the evenings starting at 7 p.m. and reopening at 6 a.m. each day from August 28, 2026 until the morning of September 13, 2026.