Queen’s shares residence update for first-year undergraduates

Queen’s University has confirmed that up to 2,300 students will be able to live in on-campus residences this fall, while maintaining compliance with physical distancing and public health requirements.

“This is approximately 50 per cent of our normal capacity, therefore not every first-year student will be able to live in residence,” reads a statement from the University.

The University says that first-year students will be offered a residence room based on priority. “Priority groups will include: students in programs with on-campus classes, those admitted under specialized pathways, and students with learning needs or personal circumstances that create challenges or barriers to academic success in a remote learning context and/or require access to on-campus support services,” the statement reads.

According to the University, among the incoming class, only first-year nursing students will have in-person, on-campus learning this fall.

The University will only offer single rooms, which are among the most expensive on-campus housing options. “This includes single-plus room types (a washroom shared and accessible to only two students), as well as single rooms in buildings with communal washrooms, on both our main and west campus,” the statement read.

According to the University, single-plus rooms fees are $16,605, while single room fees are $15,607.

“While multiple occupancy room types won’t be available, we are exploring additional price options for single occupancy at lower rates,” the statement said. “Students looking for help financing their education can explore a variety of financial assistance programs administered by the Queen’s Student Awards Office.”

Upper year students that have already selected their rooms for the fall should also expect to be able to live on campus, the University says. “Your room assignment may change, and the move-in date may be adjusted to meet physical distancing requirements during the move-in process. If you choose to cancel your contract by June 30th, you will be eligible to receive your deposit back.”

The university says they are hopeful that in-person classes will resume on campus in the winter, and that they will be able accommodate everyone in residence at that point.

“As the situation continues to evolve, we will be guided by the advice of Kingst Frontenac Lennox & Addington Public Health regarding any occupancy limitations that may apply for the winter term. Our goal will be to offer residence spaces to as many students as possible and to assist all first year students with accommodation in Kingston.”

Applications and deposits for on-campus residence accommodation closed on Monday, Jun. 8, 2020. Applicants can anticipate their room assignments by July 29. Residence move-in begins August 30, 2020.

More details for students regarding this can be found on the Queen’s University website here.