Residence Life at Saint Mary’s University is grounded in the belief that where students live plays a meaningful role in how they learn, grow, and connect. Guided by a commitment to community, wellbeing, equity, and student success, our work focuses on creating supportive residential environments where students feel safe, respected, and empowered to be themselves. Through intentional programming, peer leadership, and collaborative support, Residence Life fosters a strong sense of belonging and helps students thrive both within residence and across the broader university community.
Residence Life annually supports the academic success and creates a sense of belonging for more than 1000 students in an inclusive, engaged, and diverse residence community through purposeful social and educational programming initiatives grounded in student development theory. Our main goal is to develop a sense of community among residence students and provide them with the best experience of living in residence.
Residence Life at Saint Mary’s University provides programming and student leadership opportunities within an inter-cultural residence community. Residence Life provides students with services and programs that make their time away from home meaningful. Residence life at Saint Mary’s University is eclectic. Students will be engaged with social, multicultural, recreational and wellness initiatives.
Residence Life acknowledges that we live, learn, and build community on the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. We recognize the Peace and Friendship Treaties as ongoing agreements that call for mutual respect, responsibility, and relationship.
Within our responsibility for the shared living spaces where students build community, we understand our role in advancing truth, reconciliation, and intercultural understanding in everyday ways.
We are committed to creating inclusive living and learning environments grounded in respect, care for one another, and shared responsibility where diverse identities, cultures, and ways of knowing are honoured, and where students are encouraged to learn from one another as members of a connected community.
Residence Life supports students across the three residence buildings on campus, each offering a unique living experience while sharing a commitment to community, inclusion, and wellbeing.
The Assistant Director (AD) oversees all aspects of student life in residence, ensuring that Residence Coordinators, Residence Assistants, and the Programming and Engagement Coordinator are supported in creating programs, initiatives, and services that meet the needs of students. The AD helps guide the team in building a safe, inclusive, and engaging community where students can thrive academically, socially, and personally.
The Programming and Engagement Coordinator (PEC) helps bring residence life to life by supporting programs and initiatives that foster student engagement and vibrant living-learning communities. The PEC coordinates events and activities in residence, helps train and mentor student staff, and develops new initiatives to connect students with the residence community, the University, and the broader Halifax community. They also work closely with living-learning communities to create opportunities for learning, connection, and personal growth.
Each of our three residence buildings has a live-in, professional Residence Coordinator (RC) who supports students and student staff alike. RCs serve as mentors, community advisors, and program leaders, working with Residence Assistants to create engaging programs, foster a positive community, and support student wellbeing. They help students navigate challenges—whether personal, academic, or behavioural—and are part of an after-hours on-call system to provide support whenever it’s needed.
This year’s Residence Coordinator are:
Each year, Residence Life hires over 80 student staff members who help bring our mission and vision to life. Student staff have opportunities to get involved in a variety of residence programs and committees, including the Multicultural Committee, RainBEAU Committee, Res Wellness Team, and Res Consent Project. Through these roles, students develop leadership skills, connect with peers, and contribute to a safe, inclusive, and engaging residence community.