10 residence myths uncovered

Parties till dawn, waiting lists to get in and a meal plan that inspired the term mystery meat: These are past snapshots of residences across Ontario that aren’t necessarily true today. Today’s residences reflect students whose goals are more earnest and academic than those of past students. Read on—we’ve debunked 10 of the myths surrounding residence life.

Myth 1: There’s a long waiting list to get in.
Colleges and universities prepared for the double cohort by building and/or obtaining new residences. As a general rule, first-year students with a letter of acceptance have automatic acceptance into a residence. “It may not be the residence of your choice, but you’re guaranteed a room,” says Jana Luker, dean of students for the University of Toronto.

However, each school differs. For instance, the University of Waterloo did have a 600-person waiting list. At the University of Western Ontario, first-year students were guaranteed a room, but they could only provide upper-year students with rooms if they had a scholarship or were chosen. “They are allowed to stay in residence as long as they maintain that scholarship,” says Susan Grindrod, associate vice president of housing and ancillary services at UWO. There’s also a lottery, or students can remain in residence if they volunteer in orientation week.

Myth 2: There won’t be any compensation if there isn't any space available.
Wilfred Laurier in Waterloo had about 100 students waiting to get into residence, but they offered first-year students incentives not to accept a spot in residence, such as a computer, food credit on a Laurier meal card and credit to use in the school’s bookstore.

Other schools, such as McMaster University in Hamilton, have incentives for those students they can’t accommodate. For students who live in Hamilton and the surrounding area, McMaster offered a $1,000 credit on books and tuition if they withdrew from residence.

To find out what this means for your student specifically, take a look at specific college or university Web pages for details.

Myth 3: It’s easy to get kicked out of residence.
Students who endanger the safety of others or themselves, steal, use drugs or anything else blatantly disruptive will get tickets out of residence.

But it’s never a surprise, says Grindrod: “We have a progressive system—you first get a letter of warning on probation. So unless you pull the fire alarm, you can make a mistake and recover.”

Myth 4: Eating in the cafeteria means mystery meat galore.
“To boomer parents who went to school 30 years ago, 'cafeteria' had a whole different meaning than it does now,” says Grindrod. At Western, as well as many other larger institutions, salad bars, sandwich bars and options for vegetarians are the mainstay. “There are lots more choices than you would have had years ago,” she says.

Dining halls are also open later than in the past, so those who stay up cramming can eat at the crack of dawn or late in the evening.

Myth 5: There’s no opportunity for work.
Taking on the added responsibility of becoming a don or resident advisor isn’t an option until second year. After all, it takes time to learn the ropes. At Western, dons get two weeks of training. Dons are paid with free meals and residence. Residence advisors report to the don and receive about half the compensation. There is front desk staff and live-in residence managers. For the most part, residences are run by students.

Myth 6: Frosh week is from hell.
When you think of frosh week, do you envision panty raids, all-night drinking binges and beer funnels? Scratch that image from your mind. Western became the first university in Ontario to go "dry" (alcohol-free) during orientation about three years ago. “It’s in anticipation of the younger student—we’re more focused on faculties and giving students what they need to feel comfortable in their new environment,” Grindrod says. “There are tours, and the focus is more about learning than partying.”

Grindrod adds that with the cost of education higher than it ever has been, students want to learn about all of their available resources and are more serious about their college/university experience than past generations have been.

Myth 7: All residences are segregated by gender.
Most college/university residences have or are switching to co-education buildings and floors.

At Western, most residence halls changed over about 10 years ago. You’ll be happy: Students tend to not date people they live with. They consider them more like brothers or sisters, Luker says. Although some colleges/universities have a few same-sex residences remaining, it seems for the most part that co-ed is the way of the future. Luker is aware that co-ed washrooms may unnerve some parents, but she assures, “it doesn’t lead to rampant  promiscuity.”

If students want to have an overnight guest of any gender, they must have permission from their roommates. But they don’t need a note from home.

Myth 8: The college or university can tell me how my kid’s doing.
“Some parents are surprised that we don’t lock the doors, and we don’t know where their son or daughter is,” says Luker. She explains that although parents may foot the tuition bill, the residence contract is signed with the student. Parental questioning is well-intentioned, she says, but by law she can’t reveal anything to parents.

Myth 9: My kid’s stuck if she doesn’t like her roommate.
When there’s trouble brewing between roommates, there’s always help. “Nine times out of 10, if the roommates sit down and talk with the don, things work out,” says Elizabeth Leal, director of residence life at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Most times, students can work out their differences and get back to studying.

Myth 10: Under no circumstances can students leave residence before the end of the school year.
Leal explains that the residence contract is a legally binding contract between the student and the school. However, if the student leaves classes early or has medical reasons, exceptions are made. Students can often move out of residence without financial penalty if they can find another student to take their place.

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