Parents, Guardians and Families

Smiling man with dark hair and grey beard, arms crossed, wearing a plaid shirt

Information and resources for parents, guardians and families of students living in residence at UBC.

Residence is so much more than a place for your student to sleep and study. Students and alumni tell us that living on campus helped them become better students and feel like part of a community.

Research shows that students who live in residence tend to be more successful in their academic studies, have increased self-confidence, and develop stronger life skills compared to students who commute.

The UBC Residence Life team is here to help support your student’s residence experience and academic achievement, along with their personal growth and wellbeing.

Hello from our Director, Student Residence

Lakshmi Sangaranarayanan, Director, Student Residence

Lakshmi Sangaranarayanan

Hello, I am Lakshmi Sangaranarayanan, Director of Student Residence at UBC. I am very glad to welcome your student to our UBC residence community. The opportunity to live and learn with so many other students in residence is a remarkable one.

On this page, you’ll find information and resources for parents, guardians, family and friends who are supporting a student living in residence.

Our residence team is here for you and ready to welcome your student in the fall. Please encourage your student to get involved in weekend of welcome activities to make their residence experience more enjoyable. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

On this page

Applications, dates, fees and payments

Find out how to apply and what it costs, plus when and how to pay.

Questions about moving in?

Visit our Move In Guide to find out what your student needs to do before they leave home, what to bring (and not bring) to residence, and what to expect on move in day.

Information privacy

Your student’s records and information at UBC are protected under BC’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). This means that the information your student provides to UBC and information UBC has on file about their academic progress, conduct and wellbeing, or their student housing application is not available to anybody other than them—even you. However, your student can authorize you to access certain information or data, if needed, by granting third-party authorization.

Learn more about information privacy and student housing.

Visiting UBC?

If you are planning to visit your student during their time at UBC, Conferences and Accommodation offers convenient and affordable hotel rooms on campus.

Eating on campus

At UBC, it’s easy to enjoy delicious, high-quality foods every day.

Send a care package

Parents and Guardians can send care packages to their student conveniently through UBC Food Services’ UCare program.

Campus community

Being part of a diverse community is one of the numerous benefits of living on campus. We recognize that for many student residents, this may be their first experience living more independently, so we have lots of tips and resources to help them thrive.

Plus, find what you need to know about learning on Musqueam territory and learn more about the Indigenous names at Totem Park and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) names at tə šxʷhəleləm̓s tə k̓ʷaƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ.

International Student Guide

Don’t miss this important guide for international students with info about travelling to Canada, steps your student should take before they accept their UBC offer, and their guide to resources while at UBC, including immigration, health, jobs, taxes, and more.

Health and wellbeing

Between academics, paid or volunteer work, clubs, sports, friends and family, student life is vibrant and full. Staying healthy and taking care of personal wellbeing is also a critical part of student success. We encourage parents to discuss these topics with their student before they move to campus and throughout their time at UBC.

Safety and security

Renter's insurance

We encourage student residents to purchase renter’s insurance to cover their liability and to protect their belongings.

How parents can help

As your student begins their new life on campus, it is an important transition point both for them and in your relationship with them as a parent. Finding the balance between giving them their independence and providing the support they still need from you is key.

Check out these UBC Residence Life blog posts to help you navigate this evolution.

Plus, be sure to visit grownandflown.com for a wealth of great articles on parenting university-age students, including articles such as 6 Things You Should Never Do as the Parent of a College Student.