Residence Contracts
Your Residence Contract is the agreement you sign with Student Housing & Community Services before accepting a room in residence. It contains important information about the rights and responsibilities of living in the residence community, as well as information about the meal plan (which is mandatory for some residents).
Residence Standards are an important part of your contract, and are used to create a safe environment for students and to foster mutual respect and understanding between each of members living in residence.
Summer Session
Residence Standards
Mutual consideration and agreed upon standards of living are essential to residence life. The well being of the residence community rests on balancing the needs of individual students and the needs of the larger residence population. This balance is best achieved when all individuals are aware of their rights and accompanying responsibilities to themselves, to others and to the community. UBC is committed to providing a residence environment that is:
- Safe and secure.
- Supports academic pursuits.
- Supports personal growth.
Residence Standards need support from everyone. This means cooperating with residence staff who investigate violations, participate in standards investigations when necessary, and zero tolerance for behaviour that is disruptive or dangerous.
Your rights
The following principles describe the rights and responsibilities of individuals within the residence community:
- Every person can expect consideration and respect for their feelings and needs and in return has the responsibility to show respect for others.
- Every person can expect to live in an environment where possessions and space are shown respect.
Standards violations
Residents who violate Residence Standards can expect disciplinary action, most often applied by the Residence Life Manager.
Investigations
- The Residence Advisor completes an initial incident report and meets with the student (s) to discuss the report.
- If the facts are disputed or not reasonably clear, the student (s) must provide their own written account of the incident to the Residence Life Manager within 24 hours.
- The Residence Life Manager reviews the documentation, discusses the incident with the student (s) and renders a written decision.
- Choosing not to attend the meeting may cause a decision to be made without the benefit of the student (s) input and may result in forfeiting the ability to appeal any of the outcomes. If the student (s) would like to submit a written account of their involvement instead of arranging a meeting, they need to do so by the deadline indicated by the Residence Life Manager.
Consequences
- Residents found in violation of Residence Standards may receive a warning or standards points.
- Residents who dispute the facts or deny responsibility may file an appeal.
In addition to the assignment of standards points, other discretionary conditions or learning opportunities may also be required and form part of the sanction.
Standards points
Residents found in violation of Residence Standards may be warned or assigned one or more standards points by the Residence Life Manager. Standards points can accumulate and remain on record for 12 months from the date of the incident.
Three standards points = probation
Four or more standards points = resident contract may be terminated, resident may be evicted and denied future visiting privileges
Appeals
Residents whose actions are found to be in violation of Residence Standards and who are sanctioned by the Residence Life Manager may file an appeal. Submitting an appeal will not temporarily halt or delay a scheduled contract termination date (if applicable). The appeal must fully explain the resident’s qualifying criteria and reasons for an appeal.
- Appeal must be filed within 72 hours of receiving the decision.
- Appeal must be submitted in writing.
- Disagreement with the decision is not basis for appeal.
And the appeal must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- The appellant can provide a compelling reason why evidence crucial to the case was not available to be introduced during the original investigation.
- Some aspect of the administration of the investigation prevented the appellant from presenting a fair and complete case.
- The appellant can demonstrate that some evidence was not given adequate consideration.
If an appeal is granted, the Residence Standards Appeal Committee will consider all submitted documentation. Before rending a final decision, there may be a meeting with the Residence Standards Appeal Committee, student (s) involved, and the Residence Life Manager to further review the incident. Students must present their account of the events individually, not as a group. After the review is complete, the Residence Standards Appeal Committee may advise the Residence Life Manager to modify, cancel, or uphold the decision regarding any or all persons involved in the incident. This decision is final.
To participate in the appeal process, the appellant should respond to all communication from the Housing Office and the Residence Life Manager within the stipulated deadlines relating to this incident and attend all meetings scheduled to support the incident investigation. Appeals related to incidents such as violence or threatening behaviour may be heard directly by the Residence Appeals Officer without convening the Residence Standards Appeal Committee, at the discretion of the Residence Appeals Officer.
Resources
Consult your Residence Life Manager for more details or contact Student Housing and Community Services.