Summer Housing Handbook

Do you have questions about what you should bring or how you are going to get your mail while living on campus this summer? This page features the answers to common questions people have while staying on campus for a month or more.

If you are unable to find what you are looking for, or have feedback on what should be included on this page, feel free to email us.

Check-In and Check-out

Check-in time is 3:00 pm on the date of your arrival. For maps and directions visit the University of Victoria maps and buildings webpage.

Full payment is due upon check-in.

Check-out time is 11:00am on the date of your departure.

Cleaning

In each Cluster unit, and in specified areas throughout Residence, there are vacuums and basic cleaning materials available to use. Each person is responsible for cleaning his/her own private living area (bedroom).

• Residence - Hallways and washrooms in Residence are cleaned by University cleaning staff.
• Cluster - Staff do not clean Cluster housing units until all 4 people have vacated the unit and campus. As with living in an apartment or rental suite, it is the responsibility of all 4 roommates to ensure a unit is clean and livable during their stay. When each person departs, they should ensure their area is clean and ready to be occupied by others coming to live on campus.

Conflict Resolution

Freedom from bodily harm, threats and damage to personal property is a universal right. Any kind of abuse, harassment, offending noise or action will not be tolerated.

If offended by noise or the actions of another long term resident, the offended party should:

1. talk directly to the offender;
2. register a complaint with the Housing Office.

If the complaint is registered with the Housing Office, an Incident Report will be filed by the offended party and a Manager will investigate the situation. An Incident Report must include:

• name and contact information of the complainant;
• name or unit number of the alleged offender(s);
• date and location the incident(s) took place;
• nature of the complaint;
• what action has already been taken;
• reason why the behaviour is deemed unacceptable.

   

During the summer months complaints and issues arising between residents are investigated by the Manager Resident Student Affairs and/or Manager, Residence Administration to be determined if a meeting or eviction are required.

Additional complaints or concerns can also be made to Counselling Services, Campus Security or Equity and Human Rights.

Insurance

Insurance carried by the University covers only the buildings.

To protect yourself against loss, theft or damage you should purchase some form of Renter's Insurance on your personal belongings.

Internet

Internet (ResNet) service provides access to the UVic campus network, to Canadian and international research networks and to the commercial Internet.

You do not have to fill out a form to activate the service, but you do have to read and agree to the "Terms of Service" which can be found at the Computer Help Desk.

You will need to bring:

• your own computer which must be equipped with a 10BaseT Ethernet card (you can purchase at the UVic Computer Store);
• an ethernet cable.

Wireless service is available to UVic affiliates with their Netlink ID. Visitors can inquire about purchasing a Netlink ID in person with Computing Services located in the Clearihue Building .

For further details about the ResNet service visit the Computing Services web site: http://resnet.uvic.ca.

Keys

You will receive an exterior key to your building and an interior room key upon check-in. For safety and security reasons if a set of keys is lost a lock change is required and you are responsible for the lock change fees which are currently :

• Dormitory and Apartment $55.00
• Cluster $210.00

Laundry and Linens

All rooms have single beds (mattress size is 78"x39"). Sheets, blankets, pillows and pillow slips are provided. You are responsible for washing your own sheets and pillow case.

Washers and dryers are available on the first floor or basement of most Residence buildings. Students living in Gordon Head use the laundry rooms in Wallace or Poole. Students living in Cluster use the laundry rooms adjacent to the 54 and 58 blocks.

To use the laundry facilities on campus students will need to purchase a Smart Card. Smart Cards can be purchased at dispensing/re-load machines located in the Housing Office and outside of Caps Bistro in the Cadboro Commons Building. Additional re-load machines are located in each Cluster Laundry area and in the Ring Road Residence.

Initial cost of the Smart Card is $5.00 (cash only). Cards can then be loaded in increments of $10 to a maximum of $50. You can use Cash (no change given, exact amount required), Debit, Visa or MasterCard. The cards have no expiry date and balances are non-refundable. Lost cards cannot be replaced.

Cost is $1.80 for each wash or dry cycle and you can purchase super wash or extra drying time in $0.25 increments.

Individual boxes of soap can be purchased at the front desk.

Lockers - Storage & Bike

ALL ITEMS MUST BE REMOVED FROM STORAGE AND BIKE LOCKERS BEFORE LABOUR DAY.

Storage Lockers are available in one Residence building. Lockers in residence are available to summer residents. Please enquire with Residence Services for rental rates.

Individual secure bike lockers are available to rent for $80 for the summer months May-Aug.

You can also lock up your bike to one of the many outdoor bike racks, most of which are located under various building overhangs and walkways.

Lost & Found

Lost Keys

see Keys

Lost Meal Card

see Meal Card

Other Lost Items

First check with the department office where you think you might have lost the item.
General "Lost & Found" locations are the Housing Office and Campus Security. In most cases items are forwarded to Campus Security after being held for a few days in the "finding department".

Mail

Mail is picked up at the Housing Office. You must have photo ID to receive mail. Your address should appear like the example listed below:

For our courier address click here.

Maintenance

Facilities needing repair must be reported to the Housing Office as soon as possible.
The repair hotline number is 721-8650.
By calling the repair hotline you are giving permission for a Facilities worker to enter your unit.

Meal Cards

When staying in dormitory room more than 15 days, a mandatory meal package is included with the price. A meal card will be issued at check-in and can be used in the Dining Room. For a list of University Food Services outlet hours click here.

If you lose your meal card, notify the Housing Office immediately so it can be turned off and a replacement can be created. Replacement cards are $25.

Parking & Directions

All vehicles parking on campus from Monday to Friday between the hours of 7:00am and 6:00pm require a parking pass. Daily passes can be purchased at the kiosks in each lot and long term passes can be purchased through Campus Security. Parking Lots #1 and #5 are closest to Residence and Cluster housing.

Directions to campus and Maps of the campus can be found on the University of Victoria map page.

Room Moves

Due to the amount of conference groups in the summer months only certain rooms and buildings are available for people staying longer than 30 days therefore we may not be able to accommodate all requests to move rooms.

If you would like to request a room move, contact the Residence Admissions Clerk.

Television and Cable Service

There are cable hookups in every bedroom (Cluster and Residence), however individuals need to arrange for their own television and pay for cable service.

• Residence - TV's with cable service are available in the common area on each floor
• Cluster - hookups are available in the living room as well, however televisions are not provided

Visit Shaw Cable at http://www.shaw.ca/ or call 250-475-5655 to arrange service.

Telephone

Phone lines are available in each bedroom in housing and there are several providers, including Telus, Shaw and Vonage in the Victoria area.

Please note that the cellular reception within Residence buildings can be limited. Victoria area cellphone providers include Telus, Bell and Rogers Mobility.

What to Bring

There's not a whole lot of space in a your room, so pack smart!

• towels, face cloth, toiletries
  (toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, soap etc)
• robe and shower shoes
  (flip flops or sandals to wear in the shower and to the beach)
• rain jacket
• hangers for your clothes
• telephone or cell phone
• alarm clock
• flashlight
• address book
• laundry bag or basket
• laundry detergent
• bedding (Housing provides the basics, but you may want to bring your own comforter, pillow etc.)
• a power bar
• computer (if you have one)
• iron
• sports gear (frisbee, bike, baseball glove, etc)
• Fridge - If you wish to have a fridge in Residence room you can bring your own however the size is limited to 2.0 cu.ft. (bar size or counter top).

The following items are not allowed anywhere in housing:

• candles
• loud stereos
• pets
• halogen lamps
• illegal drugs

Students living in Residence cannot bring

• microwaves, hot pots, toaster ovens and any other cooking appliances are specifically not allowed in rooms

If you are renting a bedroom in a Cluster unit you will need to arrange for:

• pots and pans
• dishes
• cutlery
• toaster
• microwave
• coffee maker / tea pot / kettle