Friday November 10th, 3pm – 4pm, Zoom 

Present: Andrea, Eliza, Jeff, Lexi, Matthew, Omina, Renee, Shmily, Steve, Yanzhen, Zach

Regrets: Jessi, Kevin, Olivia, Sangeeta 

Introductions & Departmental Updates 

Residence Life Office:

• Eliza, Assistant Dean, Residence Administration returned from parental leave in October 
• Steve, Dean of Residence and Director of Student Life joined the team in October 
• Zahabiya, Residence Life Coordinator is leaving in December, the position has been posted and we are in the hiring process 

Administration, Operations & Finance:

• Unfortunately a representative from this department was not able to join us this meeting due to time constraints related to budget deadlines
• Will share updates and information on key projects at the next meeting Building Operations 

Building Operations:

• Matthew has been in his position for 2 years, but has worked in many departments at Chestnut Residence for the past 5+ years 
• For any items that need to be fixed (in student rooms or in a common room), please place a work order on StarRez 
• Work Orders are received by Matthew who reviews them and assigns the work to a technician (usually respond within 24hrs) 
• Building Operations is responsible for managing common spaces/general building 
• There has been a particular focus on heating/cooling during the past few weeks
  • As of this past weekend, everything is heated and warm (including the 28th floor)
• Also focusing on PTAC unit maintenance within rooms – schedules will be sent out soon
• Any planned maintenance room is communicated via the Residence Life Office 

Front Desk:

• Recently hired a new staff member: Marina 

Food Services:

• Jeff has been in his position for about a year, prior to working at Chestnut Residence he worked at three different universities in similar positions 
• Works closely with Executive Chefs and Chef Olivia 
• Currently hiring an Assistant Director, Residential Dining
• Working through a few new promotions that launched prior to Reading Week 
  • Focus on creating more value options:
    • Ex: Tuesday $2/100gram pop-up station (ex. taco bar, build your own burger, etc.) 
    • Added a bowl of rice at fixed cost at the pan station ($3.50) 
    • 10% discount on Friday/Saturday night dinner service
    • Multiple sizes of plates (fixed price) at the pan station 
    • Sunday night: fixed price family meal menu 
    • Theme meal nights with a la carte pricing
• Looking forward to hearing feedback on the changes as more students return from Winter Break
• Chef is looking into updates to menu rotation to have provide more variety 
• Look at incrementally augmenting program as student feedback is received 

Housekeeping:

• Andrea has been at Chestnut Residence for many years and has worked for a number of departments 
• Manages the Housekeeping team (service rooms on a weekly basis) 
• Involved with projects to improve student rooms:
  • Vinyl (wallpaper)
  • Drapery (curtains) (complete a few floors every year) 

Urban Crew:

• Renee is the Urban Crew Manager (work study student) 
• Urban Crew is up and running with 17 student volunteers and Renee also covers a shift 
• Urban Hours are:
  • Monday to Friday: 5pm-11pm
  • Saturday/Sunday: Noon-Midnight 
• Urban Crew volunteers: 
  • Log out board games
  • Log out equipment for ping-pong and pool
  • Support with A/V needs 
• Dons often run events and Urban Crew support events (tech support, log out equipment)
• Movie Night tomorrow (Saturday November 11th) 

Residence Council:

• Omina (VP, Internal for Residence Council) 
• Working on Chestnut Formal 
  • Date: November 18th 
  • Location: Mariott at the Eaton Centre
• Working on timeline for the formal and ticketing and promotion to students 
  • 100 students have signed up (max capacity is 250) 
• All seats on the CRC have been filled except VP, Athletics
  • If anyone is interested in this final position, please contact the Residence Life Office

Lexi, Don:

• Sat on the Residence Affairs Committee last year 
• Currently in her 2nd year of a Masters program 
• 16th Floor Don
• Joined RAC to help students advocate for themselves and push their voices forward 

Zachary, Student Representative:

• 2nd year student 
• Wanted to be more involved this year

Shmily, Student Representative (also an Urban Crew Member):

• Always interested in Student Life 
• Really fun and exciting 

Yanzhen:

• 1st year student 

Discussion

• Students have generally been happy with how things are going so far 
• Been great to see Floor Reps back and CRC fully filled
• There have been some Food Services concerns:
  • Happy to see some new promotion opps rolling out
  • Appreciate the effort
  • Students really appreciate the cashiers and kitchen staff 

Communication Preferences 

• Following social media for quick updates, such as an event going on – pertinent in the moment 
• Website is helpful for the static information (such as hours) 
• Chestnut Chatter is pretty helpful for current topics 
• How to best relay the information is an ongoing struggle of the dons 
• Bulletin boards are also helpful, but often don’t capture students attention enough 
• Some floors are utilizing a WhatsApp group chat with success 

Recommendations

• Invite a CWC to attend these meetings – Eliza to follow-up