It is important to remember that this is a challenging and exciting time for your student. They’re juggling competing priorities—classes, friends and extra-curricular activities, not to mention the typical challenges of early adulthood—and can become distracted.
However, if you’re feeling worried or concerned because your student hasn’t returned your calls, here’s what you can do and how UBC Student Housing can help.
Urgent health or safety concerns
If you are concerned that your student is at risk, and you think an urgent health or safety check may be warranted, you will need to call 911 or the local police detachment (RCMP) at 604 224 1322. The police will attend and we will assist their efforts to locate and ensure the safety of your student. Please note that residence staff are unable to complete check ins of this nature.
If your student hasn’t returned your calls
If you do not think an urgent health or safety check may be warranted, but repeated efforts to contact your student have failed, and you are growing concerned about their wellbeing:
before 10:30 pm – Please call your student’s residence front desk. Within the following 24 hours, our staff will send a note to your student to inform them that you have phoned about their wellbeing and that you have requested they contact you.
after 10:30 pm – Please call the local police detachment (RCMP) at 604 224 1322. The police will attend and we will assist their efforts to locate and ensure the safety of your student.
Difficult transitions to life at UBC
On the other hand, if you are in touch with your student, but you are concerned that they are experiencing difficulty transitioning to UBC, you can contact your student’s Residence Life Manager (RLM). While RLMs are not able, without your student’s permission, to share specific information about your student with you, the RLM will listen and take your concerns seriously—and they will talk with you about our typical assistance in the circumstances you are describing. Additionally, our staff will reach out to your student, talk with them about how they’re doing and offer to help them access relevant campus services, supports and resources.
Find contact information for your student’s Residence Life Manager.
Your student’s privacy
We take parent, family, and friend concerns seriously, and we will follow up with your student. But please keep in mind that UBC is required to respect your student’s privacy. Without your student’s permission, we are not able to share information with you or phone you with an update about your student—even in the above situations.