What to Know Before Applying for Residence at TMU

Want to live on-campus during your studies? Learn more about your residence options at Toronto Metropolitan University.

This article was written by Apurba Roy, a TMU student.

If you’re worried about finding accommodation that is safe, reliable, and close to Toronto Metropolitan University, there’s good news — TMU residence applications are now open for the 2024-2025 year. Don’t miss out on this awesome opportunity to live right on campus! I've had plenty of friends who lived in residence, and we spent a lot of memorable times together in their dorm. I also had the opportunity to work on campus residences in the summer of 2023 where I learned a lot about what it's like to live there.

Know your living options

TMU has three on-campus buildings for students: Daphne Cockwell Complex (DCC), Pitman Hall, and International Living/ Learning Centre (ILC). If you live in any of these buildings, you’ll never have to worry about a long commute to campus. You’ll be minutes away from lecture buildings, live in a great community, and enjoy perks like affordable meal plans and flexible room options.

Our residences

DCC is our newest residence building which opened in the fall of 2019. The building has 19 floors and 332 rooms for students. You might have heard of DCC before because what makes it so special is that it’s both a residence and lecture space. If you live there, you never have to worry about missing your DCC classes! The first eight floors of the building are for classes, labs, student lounges, and study spaces. I have fond memories from my third year of finishing a three-hour lecture at DCC and then checking in with the security desk before using the elevator to go up to my friend’s room and hang out!

At Pitman Hall, you’ll live in the largest TMU residence with over 500 rooms. Pitman Hall is known for its variety in room types such as double rooms, single rooms, apartment-style and paired-style. The building has a dining hall on the first floor (meal plans are mandatory for students living in residence). You’ll also find a kitchenette on every floor in case you ever want to cook. Even though I didn’t live in Pitman Hall, I will tell you that it is best known for its awesome parties! I have great memories of fun times and laughs with students who lived in the building, from trying our best to cook in the kitchen, to chilling at the Pitman quad late at night. You’ll have a lot of memorable experiences in this building!

Don’t get confused by the International Living/ Learning Centre (ILC) — the building is not only for international students; everyone is welcome to apply. Every floor in ILC has a kitchenette, a lounge with cable TV, and laundry facilities. In the time I spent working at ILC, I saw how students were always using the facilities and inviting friends to cook, watch TV, and hang out! ILC is also near the grocery store, Metro, which a lot of students go to for grocery shopping.

Learning and personal support

Besides being so close to your classes, when you live in residence, you’ll be immersed in a supportive community that will advance your TMU experience personally and even academically.

• Dedicated staff like Academic Links (ALs) live in residence and focus on supporting your academic journey at TMU. You’ll be matched with an AL from your faculty who you can visit during office hours and seek support from during your time in residence.
• Residence Advisors (RAs) and Community Leaders (CLs) are your go-to people for day-to-day support. From connecting you with campus services to responding to emergencies, these individuals build community within residence.
• Residence is a supportive, inclusive all-gender community. This means that you don’t need to disclose your gender unless you want to be matched with a roommate or suitemate of the same gender identity as yours.

Applying for residence

To be considered for residence, you first need to have an Offer of Admission to TMU. Remember to submit your residence application and fee by June 4, 2024 for the 2024-2025 academic year. If you apply after this deadline, you’ll be put on the waiting list.

1. Research and submit your application

• Complete the online residence application on eRezLife and pay the non-refundable $50 CAD fee.
• You’ll be prioritized for residence if you are a first-year student or live far away from campus.

2. Receive an offer or waitlist spot

3. Accept your residence offer

4. Move in!

• Move-in day is on August 25, 2024, for the 2024-2025 year. You can check into your room on this day, meet your community and start the best campus experience!

If you don’t receive a residence offer, or if you are unable to apply for TMU residence, you can explore housing alternatives. For example, off-campus housing can still be close to campus and offer some of the same TMU residence perks! I currently live in an off-campus residence close to the university, and for the year and a half I have been here, I have built a great sense of community and a home away from home.

Wishing you the best of luck on your residence application and housing hunt!