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FAQs

Questions Parents May Have

The Costs Associated with Residence

The Application & Selection Process

General Questions About Residence

Questions Parents May Have

What safety features does the residence offer?

Our residence has many features that improve the safety of all students.

  • There are 12 Residence Advisors, or RA’s, and 4 Community Advisors, or CA’s that are student staff members that live in the building with the students and go through extensive training to help prepare them
  • A full-time manager lives in the building
  • Access to the building, suites and bedroom doors is done with electronic access cards that can be deactivated if lost
  • Security cameras are located in various areas of the building to monitor the residence
  • Access to the building is limited to the main entrance, which is staffed 24 hours a day and guests must sign in

Can my son/daughter have guests overnight or during the day?

Residents may invite guests into the residence; however, visitors to the residence must sign in at the front desk. In addition, to promote a strong community within the residence, over-night guest limitations have been put in place. Check Guest Policy for details. You can also download Residence Community Standards document for more information.

Is there parking available for residents?

The residence has dedicated parking on campus located right next to the residence and is available for an additional cost. No parking is allowed in the campus lots overnight with the exception of the residence parking lot.  Residence parking pass applications are available for download here.

How much does Residence cost?

The Residence fee includes accommodations, phone with local calling, utilities, 16 live-in staff, electronic access cards, close proximity to the campus and a residence community of students, most of whom are experiencing post-secondary school for the first time.  For current pricing please refer to the Fees section of this website

How do I get an Income Tax receipt?

The Georgian College residence is a “designated residence” for property tax and rent purposes, meaning that residence fees cannot be claimed on income tax returns. The only claim that is allowed is $25 for the year (with no receipt necessary), as directed by the Ontario government: for more info, see their 5006-N Completing your Ontario forms (student residence line 6114). For this reason, the College does not issue tax receipts for residence fees.

Is there visitor parking?

A limited number of metered parking spots are available in front of the residence. Visitors may also park in the campus parking spaces during the day and into the early evening. If you have an overnight guest and they require parking, you can purchase an overnight parking pass from the Residence Front Desk.

Will there be someone on site that my son/daughter can go to if there is a problem?

Twelve Residence Advisors (RA’s), and four Community Advisors (CA’s) live in the building with the students. All of the RA’s and CA’s go through extensive training to prepare them to be a leader for the students. The primary responsibility of an RA/CA is to facilitate the growth of the residence community and help each student achieve their personal goals, which is assumed to include academics. The RA/CA’s role can be challenging because most of the students under their responsibility are away from home for the very first time. Full-time staff are also available to support the RA/CA’s and provide guidance.

Are there laundry and kitchen facilities in the residence?

Yes, there are laundry facilities on the first floor. Twelve coin-operated washers and twelve coin-operated dryers are located in the laundry room. Two stoves with ovens, as well as an industrial sized stainless steel sink, are available in another cooking area located on the first floor. This is open to all members of the residence community.

How much does the washer and dryer cost?

Each costs $1.50 ($2.00 for front load washers) to operate a typical cycle. These machines will only accept quarters and loonies.  A change machine is available in the lobby of the residence

Do the accommodations come with a meal plan?

No. Meal plans are not included in the Residence fees. However, Meal plans are available on campus through the College’s food service provider Chartwells.

Are long distance phone calls included in the Residence fee?

Long distance phone calls are not included in the residence fee.  Long distance calls can be made with a calling card or prepaid calling card.

Are refunds issued if my son/daughter decides that Residence just isn’t for him/her?

A student is financially responsible for the full term of the Residence Contract until a suitable replacement, not currently living residence, takes over the financial responsibility for the term. The Residence Contract contains further details.

Can I bring the family pet to visit the residence?

No. Pets are not allowed in residence. This is an effort to keep the environment clean and free of allergens.

Will my son/daughter be evicted from the residence if he/she doesn’t keep their grades up?

A Resident has to be a student at Georgian College. If a student is not allowed to continue at the College for academic reasons then they will be required to leave the Residence as well. In other words, if a student maintains grades satisfactory to their Faculty, and they remain a student, they may continue to live in the residence. Grounds for eviction from residence are outlined in the Residence Community Standards.

Is the residence wheelchair accessible?

The Residence has two, 2-bedroom suites that have been designed for a person using a wheelchair. Each of the eight floors is accessible by elevator to enable a person using a wheelchair to access all student and common areas of the building.

How noisy is it in residence?

At times a residence environment can have a higher noise level than an apartment building of comparable size. This results from the fact that a residence is a dynamic community of students. Whereas most people in an apartment building remain in their own area, students in a residence are encouraged to interact for the purpose of making friends, learning and developing a community on campus. This leads to many benefits and on occasion increased noise. In an effort to control the amount of noise, standards outlining acceptable noise have been developed and are included in the Residence Community Standards. The RA’s on each floor monitor the community and from time to time will step in to ensure noise remains within acceptable levels.

It should be noted that noise affects each person in a different way. Some individuals may require an environment with less noise than others, which may mean residence is not the best place for them to live. While the vast majority of students can handle or adapt to the noise in a residence, some may find it very difficult. Careful consideration should be taken for how one will cope with the environment. Should a student have a problem with the noise it is best to approach their Residence Advisor to explain the problem.

Are there security cameras in the residence?

Cameras are located in some common areas on the first floor, in stairwells and some locations outside the building.

What should my son/daughter do if there is a conflict with their roommate?

Nearly every relationship encounters conflict at some point. Hopefully, all of the parties involved can find an equitable solution to the issues at hand. In an effort to facilitate conflict within the residence and to promote a positive community, the RA’s have been provided with conflict mediation training. If the people involved cannot find a solution initially, than it should be brought to the attention of a RA. It should be remembered that everyone involved in the conflict has to work together to provide a lasting solution.

How do I go about withdrawing my son/daughter from residence or from the waiting list?

If your son/daughter is on the waiting list, s/he simply needs to log into the residence portal, go to the application tab, select the application s/he wishes to cancel and click on the “Cancel” button.
If your son/daughter has been accepted into residence then s/he simply needs to send us a letter or fax indicating they with to decline their residence offer. Please note the letter must be signed by the student.
If your son/daughter is currently living in residence then s/he must complete a residence withdrawal form and submit it at the residence front desk.

Where can I find other options for off-campus housing?

Off Campus housing listings can be found on our website under the Off-Campus Housing section

Will there be anyone willing to help us move in?

Many people will be involved on residence move-in day to fulfill many tasks, from directing traffic, to assisting with unloading of cars, checking people in, controlling the elevators, staffing the Welcome Centre and just available to answer questions. We strongly encourage every student and their family to have all belongings well labelled and packaged to aid the move-in process. We also encourage students and family to handle their own belongs to ensure that items are handled with the utmost care.

My son/daughter is only 17; will she be treated different than someone older?

For the most part, students under the age of 18 will be treated like any other student in the residence. However, in certain situations we will take extra steps for students under 18. For instance, parents will be sent a copy of any letters sent to students as a result of a breach in the Residence Community Standards. Once a student reaches 18, no further letters will be mailed to the parent(s).

My son/daughter is on co-op in January, can s/he stay in residence while working a coop job?

Absolutely, many of our students are able to find coop positions in the Barrie and surrounding areas and choose to continue to live in residence during their coop.

My son/daughter will be away during his/her coop, can s/he just sign a 4 month contract?

That depends on the semester that your son/daughter is on coop. residence contracts are available for the fall/winter semester (Sept – April), the winter semester (Jan – April) and the summer semester (May – Aug). If your son/daughter has a coop during the winter semester there are a couple of options available to him/her.  If your son/daughter gets a coop in the Barrie area, then s/he can simply continue to live in residence while working at his/her coop. If your son/daughter gets a coop position that is too far to commute, then after s/he moves into residence s/he can complete a residence withdrawal form. Please note, that once your son/daughter has submitted a residence withdrawal form, we will search for a replacement, but can’t guarantee this will happen. If we are unable to replace your son/daughter with a new resident, then s/he would still be responsible for their full residence fees. Please contact Marina Tomchak at mtomchak@georgianc.on.ca or (705)730-5600 x7054 if you have any questions about this.

Is Georgian Green one of the College residences?

No, Georgian Green is simply a privately owned and operated apartment building the same as any other apartment building in the City. There is no affiliation between Georgian College and Georgian Green. Unfortunately, because of their prominent location across from the College and their use of the term “residence”, many people understandably believe they are [art of Georgian College. Georgian College currently just has the one residence hall and we follow the standard practices of our profession which are set out by the Association of College and University Housing Officers international (ACUHO-I)

The Costs Associated with Residence

How much will it cost for me to stay in the Georgian College Residence?

The Residence fee includes accommodations, phone with local calling, utilities, 16 live-in staff, electronic access cards, close proximity to the campus and a residence community of students, most of whom are experiencing post-secondary school for the first time.  For current pricing please refer to the Fees section of this website

Does the residence fee I pay include both bedrooms?

No, the residence fees you pay are for one bedroom in a 2 bedroom suite. You and your roommate will share the bathroom and kitchenette area.

Is there a mealplan available to students living in residence?

Mealplans are available through Chartwells Food services and an information sheet on their meal plans is available here. If you wish to purchase a meal plan please email mealplan@georgianc.on.ca.

Is there parking available for residents?

The residence has dedicated parking on campus located right next to the residence and is available for an additional cost. No parking is allowed in the campus lots overnight with the exception of the residence parking lot. residence parking pass applications are available for download under the Important Documents section of this website.

Do my Residence Fees include Internet?

The Residence does offer a High Speed Internet service called GConnect, which is included as part of your residence fees.

How may I pay for my Residence Fees?

You may pay your residence fees (including the application fee) by cash, money order, certified cheque, at a financial institution, or by credit card. Please note we DO NOT accept personal cheques. Please note we do not accept credit card payments over the phone. If you wish to pay by credit card (not in person) please complete a credit card authorization form and fax it to us at (705)730-5558. The credit card authorization form is available on our Important Documents page.

The Application & Selection Process

How many students do you pick for residence?

The Residence accomodates 525 students. Most suites are double rooms, but there are a few  triples.

I just received a letter from Georgian College thanking me for applying to Georgian but I did not receive an application to residence. Why not?

Application to Georgian College does not double as an application to Residence. You must apply online to be considered for a space in the Residence.

Can one male and one female live in the same suite?

We will not assign one male and one female to a suite, unless we have received a written request. Should you and someone of the opposite sex wish to room together then please submit a written letter to us by fax or e-mail. Once we’ve received such a request we will explore this option with all the people involved.

Is the 8 month term from September to April?

The 8 month term begins on move-in day (during the Labour Day weekend) and runs through to the day of your last exam in April. Please note that the Residence, along with the entire College, closes in December and doesn’t re-open until after the New Year. Please refer to the residence contract for specific dates.

I am from out of province and will be attending Georgian in September. I would really like to stay at the new residence. Can you tell me if the accommodation will be filled on a first come first serve basis, or will out of province students be given priority?

A lottery system will be used to assign first year students to residence. Students living at least 50 km away from the Barrie campus will be given first priority in this lottery. All applications should be submitted online before the deadline. Accommodation letters for the residence will be sent by email to your Georgian College student email address in late April/early May.

Can I apply to live in Residence now?

You can’t apply for residence until you have been accepted into a program at Georgian College.

When will students learn of their acceptance into Residence?

Upper Year (Returning) students will be notified in late March/early April whether they have an Offer of Accommodation and First Year students will be notified in late April/early May. Aboriginal, International students and students with disabilities should deal with either the Aboriginal Centre, the International Centre or the Centre for Access for information about their application status.

May I choose my roommate?

Yes, as part of the online application process one of the steps allows you to select your own roommate.  As long as the person you select selects you, you should be matched together.

General Questions About Residence

Is smoking permitted in the Residence?

No. Georgian College established a policy in 2001 ensuring a smoke-free environment in all of College buildings. Smoking is only allowed in designated areas on the campus.

What is included in each Residence room?

Residence accommodations include a fully-furnished private bedroom in a two-bedroom suite, a three-piece bathroom with shower unit, a kitchenette with a full-size fridge, a combination microwave/convection oven and a dining table with two chairs. Each bedroom is equipped with an extra-long double bed and mattress, a desk, dresser, rolling pedestal file drawer, colour television with satellite service and a telephone. Telephone service includes free local calls, and long distance calls can be made with a calling card. Each bedroom is also equipped with a data jack and cable for internet service through GConnect.

Can I apply for a job in the Residence?

The residence usually has a variety of positions available to residents for part-time employment.  Any available positions are posted internally in the residence as well as through the Career Development Centre on campus.

If I invite guests overnight and they are never any problems, can I exceed the limit?

The purpose of the “guest nights” is to prevent non-residents from living in the Residence at no cost. Having guests in the building on a continual basis often leads to problems between roommates and other members of the residence community. Our goal is to create a strong community for everyone living in the residence and the “guest night” limitation helps us achieve this goal. The Residence Community Standards are used to determine consequences for residents that exceed their maximum number of “guest nights.”

Can I move in early? What about just my belongings?

Unfortunately you can not move-in before the scheduled move-in day.  During the summer we operate as a conference centre and hotel and spend the time before you arrive getting the rooms and the building ready for you.  If you have belongings that you are shipping to the residence, please arrange to have them arrive after you have moved in as we do not have any storage space for personal belongings.

What to Bring

Below is an outline of certain items that you may find useful while living in Residence.

  • Alarm clock
  • Cell Phone
  • Computer/Laptop and Printer
  • IPod or other MP3 player
  • Backpack
  • Digital Camera
  • Clothes hangers
  • Email addresses of family and friends
  • Computer and equipment (see GConnect for more details)
  • Surge protected power bar
  • DVD Player
  • Pillow, linen, blanket and comforter for an Extra-long Double bed (Queen size sheets will fit, they are just a little wide)
  • Hair dryer, curling iron, flat iron, etc
  • Health Card, medications with instructions and health insurance info
  • Housecoat and slippers
  • Kitchen supplies (plates, bowls, glasses, kettle, toaster, microwave containers, cutlery, cookware, etc)
  • Laundry bag/basket and detergent
  • Pictures and posters (we supply for free removable sticky tabs that won’t damage the paint or wallpaper)
  • School supplies
  • Small stereo and headphones
  • Toiletries, towels and soap
  • Umbrella
  • Toothbrush
  • Toilet paper
  • Student Card
  • Recreation and entertainment equipment
  • Bicycle and lock – bike can be stored in your room (please do not ride them through the building)
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Iron and ironing board
  • Additional desk/reading lights – torchiere lamps are NOT permitted
  • Appliances that are permitted in the residence include: Blender, Bread Maker, Coffee Maker, Contact Grill (George Forman), Crock Pot/Slow Cooker, Electric Frying Pan/Skillet, Food Processors, Food Steamers, Juicer, Kettle, Rice Cooker, Toaster,
  • Toaster Oven

What Not to Bring

  • Appliances, including but not limited to: dishwashers, microwaves, freezers, washers and dryers, deep fryers, hot plates or other items with exposed elements and indoor grills are not permitted in the suites. Toasters or toaster ovens can be used in the kitchenette area of the suites
  • Candles and incense
  • Cigarettes, cigars and pipes — the Residence is smoke free
  • Draperies
  • Heaters and heat lamps
  • Pets
  • Waterbeds and other furniture
  • Water cooler
  • Bar Fridge
  • Barbeque
  • Deep Fryer
  • Fax Machine
  • Halogen Lamps
  • Space Heater
  • Telephone (one is already provided)
  • TV (one is already provided)