Frequently Asked Questions
This page is intended for both students and parents/guardians and is intended to provide the answers to frequently asked questions. As always, if you cannot find an answer to your question here, check the Residence Handbook and you are welcome to contact us.
Amenities/Furnishings
Each suite at Baker House Residence has 2 separate bedrooms. In each of these bedrooms there is a desk, chair, 3 drawer dresser, night table and single, extra-long bed with storage underneath. Each bedroom also has a hardwired internet connection. The shared common area in the unit has a microwave, mini-fridge, table & chairs, and a land line telephone with a direct line. Each suite also contains its own bathroom with a shower. There is a shared common room on all floors with comfortable couches and Cable TV, a study room with movable tables and chairs and laundry rooms on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors. NO ADDITIONAL FURNITURE IS PERMITTED. This is a non-smoking building.
May I bring my own furniture to Residence?
No. UFV has strict pest policies that do not permit outside furniture. UFV also does not have the storage capacity to allow this; a student must use the furniture provided. If a certain type of mattress [or other special furniture] is required for medical reasons, special consideration may apply. In such an instance, please contact residence@ufv.ca and ask how to proceed.
What should be brought for the room?
Blankets, sheets, pillows, trash cans, trash bags, posters, study lamp, books, CDs, toiletries, pots and pans, cooking utensils, cleaning supplies, dishes, school supplies, etc., stereos (with headphones, please), dishes, computer equipment, television, 5 cu ft. refrigerator and/or freezer and anything to personalize the room. You may want to bring an area rug, as there is no carpet inside the units. Click to view a typical room. Please note that the beds are regular sized extra-long twin beds. The bed size is 39 X 80 and the Mattress is 39.37 X 79.5 X 7.75. For a complete list of items you may want to bring, please go to the Move-In Checklist page.
Bring your bike and sports equipment, we have storage for those items for you.
What should not be brought for the room?
No Cooking appliances (electric frying pan, Foreman Grills, sandwich press, toaster oven, deep fryer, hot plates)
- No Halogen lamps including lava lamps [Fire hazard]
- No Pets [No fur, fins, or scales policy]
- No Candles & incense [Again, fire hazard]
- No Fax machines [Won't work on our phone system and there are fax services at Front Desk]
- No Outside furniture.
Do I need to bring cleaning supplies?
Yes. You are responsible for the cleanliness of your unit.
Are the rooms air conditioned?
None of the rooms have year-round air conditioning but hallways and common areas are air conditioned and temperature controlled. You may wish to bring a fan for your room.
How is the UFV Residence cleaned?
A professional UFV custodial staff member cleans all of the public areas such as hallways, lounges, and public washrooms on a daily basis [Monday-Saturday]. However, they do not pick up after students. Students are to bring their recycling and garbage outside to the bins provided. So, you will need to do your part by keeping your things in your room and put away. All students are responsible for the cleanliness of their own rooms. They are also responsible to provide their own dishes. Vacuums, mops, buckets, and cleaning supplies are provided for student use. We can also arrange for a professional cleaning service at the expense of the resident.
UFV does contract a professional cleaning company to deep clean the units between tenants.
Applications
How do I apply for Residence?
The entire application process is available online at How to Apply. Please have a credit card available for this transaction as you will be required to pay an online application fee. If you wish to pay the remaining amount by cash, money order, wire transfer, or cheque, please contact residence@ufv.ca to make these arrangements.
When/how will information be sent?
All UFV Residence information will be sent exclusively via email. This information will direct you to very important information regarding the move-in process and life in Residence. Please provide us with the e-mail address you check most often in order to be ensured of up-to-date information. Once you have moved in, we will send all important information to your UFV student email account provided to you.
Cancellation/Withdrawal
What if i need to cancel my application?
To cancel your application, please notify the Residence Services office as soon as possible, in writing or via your @student.ufv.ca email account to residence@ufv.ca.
Please note that if you choose to cancel your application and your deposit has not been paid, any applicable cancellation charge will be added to your student account. Please also note that initiating a residence deposit appeal does NOT constitute canceling your application/contract.
How does one withdraw from Residence?
To withdraw from Residence after check-in, a student must fill out a Notice to Vacate Early Form and return it to Residence Services. Follow the proper check-out procedures available at Front Desk. It is important when checking out to return all keys to the residence Front Desk, otherwise improper check-out and/or lock-change charges may apply.
Withdraw policies are found in the Residence Handbook.
I have a student loan; can I still live in residence?
You sure can! As long as the application fee and confirmation fee are paid, let us know that you are on student loan, and we will make arrangements with you in regards to payments. There is a $100 deferral fee for this. For more information on deferring payments due to student loans, have a look at the Deferred Student Loan Option.
Food Services
What about food?
A meal plan is no longer mandatory for students living in Residence. If you would like a meal plan, more detailed information is available at UFV Dining Services.
How do I re-load my meal card and laundry card?
To add meal plan money to your card, visit the Campus Bookstore or Campus Card Office.
Move-in Day
When will students be allowed to move into Residence and where will they check in?
New student move-in is scheduled for the Saturday before classes begin. (specific day will be listed on our Important Dates page).
Roommates
Who will be my roommate?
Unless you have requested to live with someone, you will meet your roommate on move-in day. Roommate selection is done based on the answers provided in the profile section of your application. We are unable to release roommate information and room assignments prior to move-in. We apologize for this inconvenience.
What if a room assignment is thought to be unsatisfactory?
Transfer applications are available from Residence Front Desk. The process may be delayed due to the need to verify our inventory of rooms (account for any "no-shows", etc.). Transfers are arranged on a first-come-first-served basis and cost $50.
Safety & Insurance
What about safety?
Each student is given an electronic key card to the building and suite and a separate key to their room. They also get a key to their mailbox. If keys are lost, locks are replaced at the student's expense. Please understand that this is done to ensure the security of all students living in residence and is not meant as a punishment for the student. The residential areas of all of the halls are locked 24 hours a day. Guests must be signed in at the Front Desk and overnight guests are permitted to stay for a maximum of eight nights (with the permission of the student's roommate) per month. Detailed information on our guest policies can be viewed in the Residence Handbook.
Should students get insurance for the items they bring into Residence?
UFV does not provide insurance, but in many cases insurance for a student's belongings can be obtained through a "rider" on a parent/guardian's insurance. This will have to be negotiated through your insurance provider, and we strongly recommend the coverage include liability insurance for damage to university or other students' property that may be caused by you.
Is there a curfew?
We do not have a curfew. Residents need to show ID on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights after 8 pm. All guests have to be registered on those nights as well. Overnight guest forms are available from Front Desk or your Resident Assistant. Guests under the age of 18 must have written guardian permission.
What are the guest policies?
Residents are limited to four (4) guests at one time and any guest arriving past 8 pm must register at the Front Desk.
• Overnight guests are permitted for no more than eight nights per month. Permission from your roommate to have an overnight guest is required prior to guest arrival. “Overnight Guest Forms” can be obtained from your Residence Assistant or the Front Desk.
• Overnight guests are prohibited during Orientation Week and exam periods.
• The resident bringing an individual into Residence is responsible for that person’s behavior. The resident acts as “host” and must be present during the visit; including greeting the guest in the outside lobby and escorting them upstairs.
Any social conduct violations by a visitor will result in consequences being assigned to the hosting resident. Visitors who break the rules and regulations established in residence could also be barred from visiting or face charges under UFV's Student Code of Conduct if a UFV student.
Special Needs
What if I have special needs?
If you have special living requirements (larger room for support equipment, etc.) please advise us in the residence application. Any request for special accommodation must be accompanied by signed supporting documentation from a certified authority (doctor, nutritionist, etc.) and the student must register with UFV's Disability Services.
You may also wish to read the Disability Services website for further information. Our departments work closely together to ensure that students with special needs are accommodated wherever possible.
Transportation
What about parking?
Students are not required to have a car. Parking on campus is limited. There will be 48 underground space available for $200/semester. The parking pass you receive for the underground lot may also be used for parking at any UFV campus. If you would like to reserve a parking spot, please contact residence@ufv.ca.
Is there public transportation?
For information on public transport see: http://www.foundlocally.com/Fraser/Trans/Trans-Transit.htm#ABBOTSFORD
Vacancies
What happens in residence when vacancies open up throughout the year?
As vacancies open up, Residence Services will fill the rooms with applicants who have been waitlisted or who have requested a room transfer. In cases where this is a shared room, Residence Services will attempt to contact the current occupant(s) of the room before a waitlisted applicant will be allowed to view it and/or move in.
