Spreading the Word: Harm Reduction in Student Services
On October 24 and 25, 2018, Campus Living Centres was proud to partner with Seneca College Residence to host the award-winning Umbrella Project Training, a free two-day training focused on understanding theory and biases related to substance use, harm reduction, and conversation techniques with students who engage in substance use.
In partnership with Algonquin College, and Ottawa’s Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services, training included two full days: the first on ‘Understanding Substance Use and Harm Reduction’, and the second on ‘Motivational Interviewing Skills’. Presenters Amanda Neilson, Lisa Boulay, and Andrew Mendes from traveled Ottawa to deliver this training to over 30 student affairs professionals from CLC’s partner institutions, including Seneca College, Georgian College, George Brown College, Thompson Rivers University, as well as members of Campus Living Centres’ Off-Campus Housing portfolio.
In light of the recent legalization of cannabis in Canada, participants were able to partake in timely discussions around approaching student cannabis use on their campuses using a harm reduction approach. The teachings of harm reduction attempt to break down biases surrounded the negative stigma associated with substance use and addiction. “Trying to challenge these ideas that have become social norms requires a large team and many different levels of intervention, education, and change” said Amanda Neilson, Algonquin College’s Harm Reduction Consultant.
This training is a portion of the larger Umbrella Project toolkit aimed at substance use awareness, overdose prevention, early intervention resources, and student-focused educational tools. More information and resources about the Umbrella Project can be found here: https://www.algonquincollege.com/umbrellaproject/.
On behalf of Campus Living Centres, we would like to thank the Umbrella Project Trainers for sharing their skills and knowledge with our campus colleagues.
For more information about the Umbrella Project, please contact Amanda Neilson at neilsoa@algonquincollege.com.
For more information about this event and training, please contact Dimple Rai, Associate Director, Residence Life, at drai@campuslivingcentres.com.
Campus Living Centres’ 2nd Annual Mental Health Symposium
On May 24th, 2018 Campus Living Centres hosted their second annual Symposium on Mental Health & the Student Experience. The event brought together 80 student affairs professionals from over 20 Canadian postsecondary institutions.
With the purpose of creating meaningful dialogue and exploring the role of student services in mental health, the symposium was a full day of professional development, featuring nine presenters and keynotes. Topics included responding to mental health related deaths on campus, assessing data from the National College Health Assessment, exploring the duty of care in student support, and reviewing challenges and opportunities within colleges and universities.
Our keynote presenter, Dr. Edward Connors has extensive experience working with First Nations communities across Canada, specifically in the areas of mental health and suicide prevention. In addition to the keynote, Dr. Connors hosted an interactive cultural sensitivity workshop that trained non-Indigenous service providers to better understand the worldview of Indigenous student. As postsecondary schools see an increase in Indigenous students, it is becoming more and more important for student affairs to understand the perceptions and experiences of Indigenous students.
Campus Living Centres would like to thank all of the attendees and speakers at the symposium. It was a day full of learning and discussion that brings us all one step further in our quest in supporting students.
For more information about the symposium, please email our Director, Residence Life & the Student Experience, Greg Hum, at ghum@campuslivingcentres.com.
Algonquin College Residence Life Team hosts Canada-wide CLC Retreat
From left to right: Dimple, Andrew Mendes (Director of Operations at Rideauwood Addictions & Family Services) , Greg, Amanda Neilson (Harm Reduction Consultant, Algonquin College and Rideauwood Addictions and Family Services), Brittanie Walker-Reid, Residence Life Manager, Algonquin College Residence. We are standing in front of a diagram of the ‘Motivational Interviewing Spirit’.
The Algonquin College Residence Life Team will be hosting Residence Life Senior Staff on July 10-11 for the Campus Living Centres Residence Life Management Team Retreat. This Retreat is hosted on a yearly basis at different Campus Living Centres properties by the Residence Life arm of Campus Living Centres. The retreat contains an opportunity for Residence Life Senior Staff to connect, engage in professional development and prepare for the upcoming residence Life staff training conference where all resident advisors and community advisors are trained across the entire company.
For the very first time, the Algonquin College Residence Life Team, with the approval of Campus Living Centres has invited the Director and Assistant Director of Residence Life along with all its Residence Life Managers, Residence Life Coordinators and Residence Community Advisors from each of their properties across Canada to extend this retreat by 2 days to participate in the Algonquin College Umbrella Project’s two-day Harm Reduction Training.
Algonquin College Residence has been celebrated by Campus Living Centres and various other post-secondary institutions for their championing of the AC Umbrella Project having recently won the Ontario Association of College and University Housing Officers ‘Service Award’ (Source: ) and with the newly launched cannabis legislation, housing departments both inside and outside CLC are hungry for the Umbrella Project’s highly coveted expertise.
Amanda Neilson, Algonquin College’s Harm Reduction Consultant along with her colleagues from Rideauwood Addiction and Family Services will be presenting the two-day training on ‘Understanding Substance Use and Harm Reduction’, ‘Motivational Interviewing Skills’. This will include a discussion on how the new cannabis legislation relates to the housing field. The retreat will also be opened in the Mamidosewin Centre by its new official drummer as well as an indigenous elder to perform a land acknowledgement and speak to indigenous healing methods as they relate to harm reduction. On day two, the Mamidosewin Centre will guide the attendees on a walk through the AC Botanical Gardens.
For more information, please contact Brittanie Walker-Reid at: bwalkerreid@algonquinresidence.ca
For the original article, please click here
Campus Living Centres adds Southern Alberta Institute of Technology to its Management Portfolio
TORONTO, June 20, 2018 /CNW/ - Campus Living Centres (CLC) is pleased to announce that effective June 1, 2018 it has assumed the management of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology's (SAIT) 1171 bed residence. Students are housed in two towers comprised of studios, and two and four bedroom suites, located in the heart of campus.
SAIT Residence offers a vibrant, safe, and inclusive community that welcomes students from all over the world. In addition to the convenience of being minutes away from class, students living on-campus are supported in their personal and academic development by SAIT's Residence Life Team.
"SAIT attaches a great deal of importance to student satisfaction, and it was clear throughout our selection process that the student experience was at the core of everything CLC does," commented Livia Kolbe, Associate Director of Commercial Services, SAIT. Livia added, "We were impressed by their depth of experience, the vast resources they provide to on-site staff, and the exceptional feedback we received from their other clients."
"The addition of SAIT to our management portfolio presents a significant opportunity for us to strengthen our presence in Western Canada," commented Brian Freeman, Senior Vice-President Strategy & Development. He continued, "SAIT's selection of CLC to manage this vital campus asset affirms our position as leaders in the student housing business, and is a testament to our employees who go above and beyond in delivering an exceptional student experience on behalf of our clients."
About SAIT
Established in 1916, SAIT was the first publicly funded technical school of its kind in North America. Today, SAIT is a global leader in applied education and offers more than 100 career programs and more than 1,400 part-time courses. Action-based learning, solution-focused research and enterprising collaborations with industry partners ensure SAIT students are career-ready when they graduate. SAIT graduates are in demand with an average of 90% of the class of 2017 at work. In fact, there are now 17 programs at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology with 100% employment. SAIT is honoured to be selected by Mediacorp Canada Inc. as one of Alberta's Top Employers for 2018.
About CLC
Recognized as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies – Gold Standard, Campus Living Centres was founded in 1989 with the purpose of assisting postsecondary institutions with the planning, design, financing, and management of on-campus student residences. CLC is the largest operator of student housing in Canada, with a portfolio of approximately 20,000 beds.
SOURCE Campus Living Centres 
For further information: Clarence Chong, Campus Living Centres, P: 416.620.0635 x8160, E: cchong@campuslivingcentres.com
Original article: https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/campus-living-centres-adds-southern-alberta-institute-of-technology-to-its-management-portfolio-686015872.html
Campus Living Centres named one of Canada's Best Managed Companies Gold Standard Winner in 2018
Toronto, ON – March 8, 2018 – Campus Living Centres (CLC) was recognized for overall business performance and sustained growth with the prestigious Canada’s Best Managed Companies Gold Standard designation. The 2018 Best Managed program award winners are amongst the best-in-class of Canadian owned and managed companies with revenues over $15 million demonstrating strategy, capability and commitment to achieve sustainable growth.
Now in its 25th year, Canada’s Best Managed Companies is one of the country’s leading business awards programs recognizing Canadian-owned and managed companies for innovative, world-class business practices. Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates the calibre of their management abilities and practices.
Having qualified for the Best Managed designation four years in a row, Campus Living Centres is excited to be a Gold Standard Winner this year. CLC is the largest, and only vertically integrated student housing organization in the country. They are partnered with over 20 Canadian postsecondary institutions, and have completed 14 public-private partnership (P3) student developments to date.
“It’s much more than just financial performance,” said Lorrie King, Partner, Deloitte and Co-Leader, Canada’s Best Managed Companies program. “The ingredients to success also include overall business performance and sustained growth. It takes dedication and commitment from the entire organization.”
Applicants are evaluated by an independent judging panel comprised of representatives from program sponsors in addition to special guest judges. 2018 Best Managed companies share commonalities that include a clear strategy and vision, investment in capability and commitment to talent.
“We are excited to once again qualify for the Best Managed Designation, and achieve the Gold Standard Winner this year,” said Michael Paul, Senior Vice President, Campus Living Centres. “Our success is directly related to the efforts of our dedicated staff, and our collaborative approach to managing client relations.”
2018 winners of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies award will be honoured at the annual Canada’s Best Managed Companies gala in Toronto on April 11, 2018. On the same date, the Best Managed symposium will address leading-edge business issues that are key to the success of today’s business leaders.
The Best Managed program is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business, TMX Group and MacKay CEO Forums.
About Canada’s Best Managed Companies
Canada's Best Managed Companies continues to be the mark of excellence for Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $15 million. Every year since the launch of the program in 1993, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies have competed for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates their management skills and practices. The awards are granted on four levels: 1) Canada’s Best Managed Companies new winner (one of the new winners selected each year); 2) Canada’s Best Managed Companies winner (award recipients that have re-applied and successfully retained their Best Managed designation for two additional years, subject to annual operational and financial review); 3) Gold Standard winner (after three consecutive years of maintaining their Best Managed status, these winners have demonstrated their commitment to the program and successfully retained their award for 4-6 consecutive years); 4) Platinum Club member (winners that have maintained their Best Managed status for seven years or more). Program sponsors are Deloitte, CIBC, Canadian Business, Smith School of Business, TMX Group and MacKay CEO Forums.
For further information, please contact:
bestmanagedcompanies@deloitte.ca
About Campus Living Centres
Campus Living Centres was founded in 1989 with the purpose of assisting Canadian postsecondary institutions with the planning, design, financing, and management of student housing and conference facilities. As the largest operator of student housing in Canada, Campus Living Centres has a portfolio of approximately 20,000 beds, which includes a combination of both managed and/or owned student housing developments, and commercial real estate.
For further information, please contact:
Clarence Chong, Director, Marketing & Sales
cchong@campuslivingcentres.com
Algonquin College Residence Recognized as Ottawa's Favourite Student Living Facility
On Saturday, January 27th, 2018, Algonquin College Residence was recognized by the Annual Faces of Ottawa Awards as the city’s Favourite Student Living Facility. The ceremony is considered one of the largest award events in Ottawa that highlights the best local professionals and businesses in the area, including community contributors and services providers.
Over 150 awards were given out, and they were voted on by the people, tallying over 1 million votes collectively. More than 600 people attended the ceremony, including 10 of our staff from Algonquin College Residence, who were on hand to receive their award in person.
Campus Living Centres has been proudly managing the Algonquin College Residence since 2000.
Mental Health Academica
This summer, Campus Living Centres hosted their first ever Symposium on Mental Health & the Student Experience. Hosted at the George Brown College Student Residence, in Toronto, Ontario, the event aimed to open dialogue around the struggles students face while pursuing post-secondary education. Vice President of Student Affairs & Organizational Development, Joe Danis says, “We are fortunate to work with so many great people doing amazing things at post-secondary institutions across the country, it only makes sense that we bring everyone together to network and learn from one another.”
For more information, Campus Living Centres collaborated with the Academica Group to discuss the importance of mental health in student success. To read the article, please click here.
Campus Living Centres’ Staff Recognized For Their Excellence in Residence Life
During the 2017 Ontario Association of College and University Housing Officers (OACHUO) Spring Conference in Ottawa, two individuals from Campus Living Centres were recognized for their excellence in Residence Life.
Brittanie Walker-Reid, Residence Life Manager at Algonquin College Residence was presented with the OACHUO Mentor of the Year Award. Awarded annually, this award goes to an individual who continually encourages the development and growth of another member in the association.
Andrea Pape, Residence Life Coordinator at Seneca College Residence won an Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I) Scholarship. Through this scholarship, Andrea was given the opportunity to attend the ACHUO-I Annual Conference in Rhode Island in June. The Annual Conference is ACUHO-I's largest event, and brings together campus housing professionals from around the globe for four days of invigorating speakers, engaging educational sessions, and invaluable networking opportunities.
Committed to the engagement and support of students, Brittanie and Andrea are a part of our overall Residence Life team of over 400 staff. These awards illustrate their commitment to students and demonstrate the amazing work and progress of our Residence Life program.
Algonquin College Residence and Seneca College Residence are professionally managed by Campus Living Centres.
Algonquin College Residence Takes an Innovative Approach to Customer Service and Staff Engagement
Algonquin College Residence is taking an innovative approach to improving customer service, and engaging their staff in a training development opportunity. The Residence has offered an English as a Second Language (ESL) course for housekeeping employees who may not be fluent in English. Employees work with an ESL teacher once a week, for an hour.
The goal of Algonquin College Residence is to provide their entire team with the skills and tools they need to deliver a 5-star customer service experience during both the academic year and the summer accommodations season. In addition to enhancing the student/guest experience, this is also a great opportunity to provide staff with relevant language skills that they are able to use at work, and in their everyday lives.
Algonquin College Residence is professionally managed by Campus Living Centres.
Campus Living Centres is pleased to announce Dimple Savla as the new Associate Director, Residence Life & The Student Experience
Dimple comes from York University, where she gained a wealth of experience as a student, a student staff member, and most recently, as a Residence Life Coordinator. Throughout her time at York, Dimple made contributions to the Residence Life program through a variety of projects outside of day-to-day residence management. She was instrumental in the development of the Residence Curriculum, embracing Alf Lizzio's Senses of Student Success and the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I) Standards, to enhance the first-year student experience in residence. She co-authored two Case for Change Proposals on campus-wide First Year Experience, and Residence Living-Learning Communities, that provided a vision, framework, and recommendations to foster engagement, increase retention, and improve satisfaction for first-year students. In addition, Dimple oversaw the residence judicial board and contributed to the development of an enhanced Residence Orientation program. Last summer, Dimple was part of the Host Committee for the Ontario Association of College and University Housing Officers’ (OACUHO) Spring Conference hosted at York’s main campus for over 170 delegates from across the province. Dimple completed her Bachelor and Master of Education, with diplomas in Urban Education and Post-Secondary Education from York University.