Information for Parents, Guardians & Supporters of Residents
Whether you are a parent, guardian, caregiver, family, or friend, you have played an important role – from protector, to teacher, to guide – in your future Algonquin College Student’s life. As they move into our Residence, it is important to remember that you will still be an influential part of their lives.
Living away from home can mean new friends, new employment opportunities and academic challenges. These experiences happen alongside learning basic life skills like cooking, cleaning, and living with a roommate in a new community. This transition can lead to huge personal and professional growth that can lead to milestones that will shape your student’s life forever. We know that this can be a stressful time for both you and your student, so we’ve pulled together everything that we think will be useful to you as you help your student transition into college life.
It’s important to remember that your student does not have to walk this journey alone. We are all here to help!
Move-In Guide
Check out our handy move-in guide for more information about how to prepare for move-in day!
Fees and Payment Deadlines
Help your resident stay on top of their fees to ensure that they always maintain an account in good standing. A helpful tip would be to set calendar reminders so both you and your resident remember when fee deadlines are upcoming.
Supporting Your Student Together
Our team works closely with Algonquin’s Student Support Services (SSS) and community resources to help your student navigate college life. If you are ever concerned about your student, we encourage you, to encourage them, to contact their Resident Advisor, Residence Coordinator, or one of the resources offered by SSS. It’s not uncommon for students to feel ashamed of accessing resources or like their problems aren’t ‘big enough’. Helping them to overcome those feelings can go a long way.
Please be aware that provincial privacy legislation limits the information we can share with you (or anyone) about your student. We want to work with you to support your student, though, so if you are ever concerned please don’t hesitate to reach out. We will be happy to provide you with general information about our policies and available resources. We can also always follow up directly with a student if concerns are brought forward (though we can’t report back to you).
If your concern is urgent or related to a safety issue, please call Algonquin College Security Services at 613-727-4723 ext. 5010 or, in an emergency, ext. 5000.
Living in Residence
There are many ways for your student to get involved while living in residence! Encourage your student to take a look at our events calendar regularly. Attending an event is a great way for your student to destress and meet new friends. They are also a great way for your student to connect with residence staff. If your student is a keen leader, encourage them to consider joining our Residents’ Council. This group of student volunteers meet regularly with our management team to share feedback, suggestions, and ideas. It is a great way to contribute to the community and build leadership skills! Our residence staff are split into three departments. Residence Life oversees events, leadership opportunities, individual and roommate conflict support, and the rules of living in residence. Administration Operations oversees applications, room assignments, our front desk staff, mail, communications, and financial accounts. Facilities Operations oversees housekeeping and maintenance operations. Our front desk is available 24/7/365 and is often the best starting point for any questions. They are also welcome to contact their Resident Advisor (RA)! When in doubt, our contact form can be used to ensure their inquiry goes directly to the appropriate staff: Contact Form. Provincial privacy legislation generally limits what we can share with you. Please encourage your resident to contact staff directly at any time with questions or concerns and we will be happy to assist. You are also welcome to get in touch and we can share general information about our policies and procedures with you as well as discuss possible next steps. If you are concerned about your student’s wellbeing please let us know. We will not be able to report back to you but we are always happy to do an extra check-in with a resident. If your concern is urgent or related to a safety issue, please call Algonquin College Security Services at 613-727-4723 ext. 5010 or, in an emergency, ext. 5000. Roommate conflict is a normal and natural part of sharing space. We encourage you to help your student view conflict as unavoidable, necessary, and if handled with care, helpful! You can learn more about maintaining a healthy roommate relationship and the steps the residence can take to support here: Roommate Guide They can also contact their Resident Advisor (RA) or their Residence Life Coordinator (RLC) for additional support at any time. Student life can be challenging at times and knowing they have your support will make a big difference for your student. We have a range of free resources on-campus to assist with academics, health, wellness, and social life. We recommend taking a look at Algonquin’s Student Support Services website for more details: Resources On-Campus Please also encourage your student to contact their Resident Advisor (RA) or Residence Life Coordinator (RLC) for support and assistance with accessing resources! The RCLS is the list of rules for living in residence and the process we follow when the rules may have been broken. You can find the document here: Residence Community Living Standards (RCLS) . In addition to robust safety and security procedures and strict access control, we have many different resources available 24/7/365. These include dedicated Residence Services Representatives (RSRs) at our front desk, Campus Security who conduct patrols and respond to calls, and a Residence On-Call Manager. Resident Advisors are on-duty until after quiet hours end each night as well to build relationships with students and help with any concerns. You can learn more about Security Services here: Security Website including information about their mobile app. Please encourage your student to download the app as well! Here are some of the most useful resources that are available to your student. Take a look at the Student Support Services website for more information about all of the services available at Algonquin College. Our community is comprised of individuals with varying levels of life experience, interpersonal skills, and resilience. Rest assured, Residence is a supervised community and we are here to support your student. Whether your student encounters a roommate issue or a particular challenge or hardship, highly trained professional staff are always available for guidance, resolution, and referral. An important piece of delivering the most appropriate support is to hear from the student themselves. We encourage students to exercise self-advocacy from a place of fostering personal growth and success, which we kindly ask for your support in that endeavor. Should an occurrence arise, you are welcome to contact us. Please know your insight and feedback is important to us. We ask that you allow us to proceed with your student in a safe and confidential manner, which may mean your own exclusion from the process. Your student is our client, and we must act with care, comfort, and consent. Further, we are guided by privacy laws that set limits on information exchange and require the student’s authorization to release information. Here are a few examples of privacy protected processes, where only the student is privy to participation; We are practiced hands when navigating the nuances of student communal living. Remember, we also have an obligation to all students in the same way we commit to assisting your student. You know what they say, ‘there are always two sides to a story’. We understand that you may feel the need to become involved, but we have a duty to maintain student privacy with the utmost diligence. We are pleased to know the student is well supported at home. Our best advice is to check-in with your student regularly and be that sounding board they need as obstacles arise, and be sure to send them our way to allow for that personal growth and success to thrive. How can my student get involved while living in residence?
Who works in the residence and how can my student contact them with questions?
Can residence staff release information to me?
How are roommate concerns handled in residence?
Who can help my student if they are struggling?
What is the Residence Community Living Standards (RCLS) and where can I view it?
What steps are taken to help keep my student safe in residence?
What resources are available to my student?
What if a situation arises and I feel the need to get involved?
Everything you need for residence all in one place!
Skip the hassle of packing bulky dorm essentials and have everything you need waiting for you on Campus when you arrive.
We’ve partnered with My Dorm Store to make move-in easy. You can shop for AC residence-approved items like bedding (guaranteed to fit our beds!), care packages, and room accessories, and have them shipped directly to campus. Your order will be waiting for you when you arrive on move-in day.
Connect With Us
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