Frequently asked questions

• Who are Dons and what do they do?

• How will my roommate be chosen?

• Can I choose my roommate?

• What furniture comes with my room? Are skybunks included?

• How can I call home? My friends?

• Can I have an overnight guest?

• I am not Mennonite. Can I live at Grebel?

• I am not in Music, Peace and Conflict Studies, or even in Faculty of Arts. Can I live at Grebel?

• How far do I have to walk to class?

• How can I get involved at Grebel?

• I keep hearing about Grebel’s food. Why is it so good?

• I can’t afford residence. Is there any financial help available?

• Is Grebel just for first year students?

• Why is there an application and interview process at Grebel?

• Who are associates?

• I still have a question! Who can I talk to?

Who are Dons and what do they do?
Dons are students hired by the college to care for the well-being of the residents, as well as to help maintain the high quality of residence life. Generally five Dons live on the floors and are available for assistance and support. A married couple called Campus Hosts also live on campus and are available to support students in residence.

How will my roommate be chosen?
Each student completes a questionnaire outlining his or her living preferences, such as study habits, personality, bedtime, etc. Roommates are carefully matched based on these questionnaires and other information obtained through the application and interview process. You will find out who your roommate is on move-in day.

Can I choose my roommate?
In first year, roommates are chosen for you as indicated above. In your upper years, you may select your own roommate. Remember – even if you don’t live with your best friend, he or she is right down the hall!

What furniture comes with my room? Are skybunks included?
You will be provided with a single bed, mattress, study desk with bookshelves, desk chair, wardrobe and window drapes. Two sheets, a pillow case and one blanket can be provided if required. Skybunks are not included with the room, but can be acquired from upper year students, or built by you. The bunks must be safe, sturdy and free-standing.

How can I call home? My friends?
The college provides each room with a touch-tone telephone. Bell is the long distance carrier, and you are responsible for paying your own long distance charges directly to Bell. Each room is also equipped with high-speed Internet access.

Can I have an overnight guest?
Residents are welcome to have day and overnight guests. An overnight stay of one or two nights is an appropriate length. Please note that male guests must be billeted in men’s rooms and female guests in women’s rooms.

I am not Mennonite. Can I live at Grebel?
Yes! While up to 50% of our residents tend to be from a Mennonite background, we welcome people of all faith backgrounds. In fact, Grebel strives to create a diverse community with many different people.

I am not in Music, Peace and Conflict Studies, or even in Faculty of Arts. Can I live at Grebel?
Absolutely! In fact our hope each year is to fill our residence with students from all the 6 different faculties on campus. Although programs of study vary, each resident is encouraged to take a Grebel course or two while living at the College. This helps to build a relationship between Grebel faculty and students living in residence. Some programs have very restricted elective space making enrolment in a Grebel course challenging and sometimes not feasible. Don't worry about that. Exceptions are regularly accommodated by the Director of Student Services. Don't hesitate to e-mail about this.

How far do I have to walk to class?
Grebel is located right on campus! Depending on the class and building, your walk could range from 1 minute to 15 minutes.

How can I get involved at Grebel?
There are tons of ways to get involved! And if there’s something you want to do that doesn’t exist yet, feel free to start something new!

I keep hearing about Grebel’s food. Why is it so good?

Grebel is the only place on campus where food is cooked fresh each day in-house. Students enjoy homemade bread, delicious baking, salad bar, deli bar, vegetarian options, and much more. We also have 21 all you can eat meals per week!

I can’t afford residence. Is there any financial help available?
Yes. Grebel has several entrance awards and need-based financial aid. Please see our financial aid and awards page for more detailed information.

Is Grebel just for first year students?
Grebel encourages students to live in residence past first year, and usually about half of the residents are in their upper years. These students are great mentors! In fact, we love upper year students so much that we have tons of award money available to help them stay in residence.

Why is there an application and interview process at Grebel?
We want to know all about you – your interests, personality, activities, beliefs and values. We want to know how you want to spend your years at university, and we want to know if Grebel is the right fit for you. Most students find that they enjoy their interview, and that it gives them an insight into what living at Grebel is like.

Who are associates?
Associates are non-residents who enjoy all the same privileges as any resident student, including full participation in the college’s academic, spiritual, musical, athletic and social life. On-campus associates are upper year students who live in the 32-person apartment building next to the residences, and off-campus associates live at home or in houses, most likely with friends they met at Grebel!

I still have a question! Who can I talk to?
Jessica Scott would be happy to answer your questions.