OCR FAQ

An OCR is a Grebel resident who lives off-campus in a host home arranged by Grebel for fall term. The OCR then moves into Grebel’s on-campus residence for winter or spring term depending on their academic streaming. OCRs experience all of the benefits of being a part of the Grebel community including holding a full meal plan and enjoying all the same activities, perks, and resources of any on-campus resident. This chart shows the differences between living as an OCR and living on campus.

OCRs have the same opportunities to get involved in the Grebel community as on-campus residents. In fact, we encourage OCRs to spend most of their time at Grebel rather than in their host home in order to integrate into community life at the College. Past OCRs have gone on to be dons, hold student council positions, host talent shows, be valedictorians, and more!

There are 10 to 15 OCRs each fall term, typically placed in pairs in our different homes.

Typically all of our OCRs are first year students. However, we may have an upper year student who is living at Grebel for the first time be part of the OCR program. 

When making choices for our residence program, including the OCR program, we consider several factors giving care and consideration to the needs of each student. Some factors we consider are academic programs, diversity (worldview, culture, faith, etc.), and a willingness to listen and learn from each other while contributing to community life. We put intentional thought and care into each offer we send out. An OCR offer is a Grebel residence offer and indicates that we want you to be part of the Grebel community.

There are typically two OCRs in each home, but some host three or four students depending on how many spare bedrooms they have. 

Our host homes are a 2-17 minute walk from Grebel. All of our homes are located in the neighbourhood across the street from Grebel. Some OCRs bring their bikes to make their travels back and forth even quicker.  Be sure to check with your host home about bike storage.

Care and consideration are given to the needs of each student and to the host home. Sometimes allergies influence matching. Other times, distance of the home from Grebel influences matching. Whatever the case, Grebel’s Student Services staff make the matches and are committed to making them with sensitivity and thoughtfulness.

Yes, this is typically possible and even encouraged, although not necessary. It is incumbent upon the student to arrange the visit with the host home.

The cost of living as an OCR is typically slightly cheaper than living in residence. Host families set their own rent for their OCR students. This fall, our OCR rent ranges from $550- $770 per month depending on the house. This cost includes heat, electricity, water, internet, and laundry. OCr students pay rent to their hosts and pay other fees to Grebel. Unlike residence fees, you can claim OCR rent on your taxes. Here’s a cost comparison for a four month term:

Usually, you pay rent on a monthly basis by cheque or e-transfer, but it is up to you and your host family to decide on the payment method and schedule. Some hosts will ask for the first month's rent upon making the housing arrangement.

Yes! That’s all part of the rent-paying process and matches most off-campus living arrangements.

Yes, in fact they must! Depending on your academic streaming OCRs will move into Grebel’s residence for winter or spring term.

This depends on the host home. In some homes, students will have their own floor or separate space and sometimes even their own separate entrance. In other homes, students will live alongside the hosts.

This depends on the host home. In some homes, each will have their own bedroom. In other homes, a bedroom might be shared with another OCR. Some homes offer additional living spaces (i.e., lounge space) for the OCRs.

All bedrooms in our host homes come furnished. Furnished means there will be a bed, mattress, desk, and a chair. There is no need to bring additional furniture. You will need to bring bed sheets, blankets, pillows, hangers, desk lamp etc. as you would for our residence rooms. You can bring decorations for your room such as photos of friends and family, and posters, but be sure to check with your hosts about their wishes regarding securing items to the walls.

This depends on the host home. In most homes, you will have your own washroom separate from the hosts. In other homes, you will share a washroom with members of the host family.

Most host homes provide access to their laundry machines at no extra cost.  Some even provide laundry detergent. You will need to have a conversation with your host family about laundry hours and laundry protocols in their home.

Yes, all host homes have wifi.

Can OCRs have guests at their host home?

Common options include:

• Walk home with other OCRs – this is the most common method that continues throughout the term. All OCR homes have at least two students living in them.
• Discord walking channel -- you can post in the Grebel discord walking channel to ask if there are other students who will walk you home.

Many of our hosts are Grebel staff, faculty, and/or alumni. Others are friends and neighbours who have connections to Grebel. All of our hosts have been hosting with us for many years. For quality-control purposes, Student Services staff stay in contact with the hosts and visit the homes from time to time to ensure the quality of accommodation.

Hosts will be warm and friendly to the students and they will not function like pseudo parents. They understand that students want their independence and will spend the majority of their time at Grebel. Hosts provide keys to the home for students to come and go as they like throughout the day and night without oversight. Students are encouraged to have conversations with their hosts about the guidelines and expectations for living in the home. OCRs are to treat the hosts and their homes with respect.

OCRs can reach out to Gemma Ricker (Student Life and Recruitment Coordinator). Gemma oversees the OCR program. She will be conducting check-ins with you to ensure that your OCR experience is going smoothly. Students also have access to additional resources within Grebel such as past OCRs, Dons, Campus Hosts, and Student Services Staff.

Yes! All OCRs get a Grebel key to access Grebel’s residence at any time of the day or night just like our on campus residents.

You will get a memo about this in July but in short…Grebel suggests that OCRs move into their host homes on the same morningresidence opens each fall. Typically, OCRs will have a couple of hours to get moved-in to their off-campus home and then will be encouraged to come over to Grebel for a meet and greet before other residents arrive. This facilitates OCRs getting to know one another a bit first.