Over 1,200 Students Settle into University of Calgary Housing

More than 1,200 students moved into campus housing at the University of Calgary on Sunday, marking a significant improvement in the availability of accommodations after a challenging housing crisis in 2024. According to Shane Royal, the university’s senior director of ancillary services, the campus is currently operating at approximately 99 percent capacity, with no active wait list for housing. “We exhausted our wait list, and we have a couple of rooms here and there, so if somebody does show up, we do have space for them,” Royal stated.

This influx of students brings the total number of residents in campus housing to around 3,100. Royal expressed enthusiasm about the new arrivals, calling it “an exciting day” for both the university and its community.

First-Year Students Embrace New Experiences

Among those moving in was Phillips Adomolafe, a first-year student from Brandon, Manitoba, who expressed his excitement about living in Calgary for the first time. “I don’t really leave my house much, so being in a new city — it’s pretty exciting,” Adomolafe said. Studying computer science, he shared his passion for coding and eagerness to begin classes. “There’s no parents here, so I could talk to more people. But also I need to be responsible. It’s a whole new experience, and I’m really excited to do it,” he added.

Another first-year student, Sydney Fu from Winnipeg, described her move as overwhelming yet positive. “The staff here are so sweet. They were cheering us on when we were walking in. It was so sick,” Fu remarked. She appreciated the support during her first experience living away from home, noting, “I’m very scared to be away from home, but I guess it’s a good change.”

Community Support Enhances Move-In Experience

The transition for new students was made easier by approximately 200 community ambassadors like Caitlin Gilbert, who were present to assist with the move-in process. Gilbert, currently in her second year of a master’s program, shared her own memories of moving in as a first-year undergraduate. “When you walk out and there’s so many people helping you in so many events, it helps so much,” she said. “It’s just moving away from home for the first time — both scary, but a really big day.”

Fu expressed her excitement about meeting new people, stating, “I can’t wait to make friends with everybody here!” Reflecting on her journey, she humorously noted, “The drive here was so bad! Do not drive from Winnipeg to Calgary! It’s awful.”

As the University of Calgary continues to welcome its new residents, the atmosphere on campus is filled with a sense of hope and opportunity. With improved housing availability, the university community is poised for a successful academic year ahead.