Student Housing has transformed this year, more than doubling in capacity with the addition of the new Tall Timber building in August 2025. New facilities, an expanded team of Residence Advisors, and enhanced programming are allowing the Student Housing team to provide comprehensive engagement and support opportunities to a broad range of BCIT students. We are so pleased to have achieved our goals of “expanding programming in on-campus housing and implementing emergency housing for students”.
Quickly after opening Tall Timber in August 2025, we successfully established the Urgent Short-Stay Housing Program. Two fully-equipped suites in our new building ensure that we can support students needing urgent accommodations on campus – while they transition to new housing, or to support them joining the Student Housing community on an ongoing basis. Through the Student Wellbeing Action Fund, we will have the ability to continue to provide students in need with accommodations and basic supplies for stays of up to two weeks.
An incredible team of 23 Residence Advisors has driven new opportunities and programs for our residents. Using feedback from our recent student survey, Student Housing is now assessing ways to make community living as meaningful and relevant as possible for our diverse student population. In the months ahead, we will develop an extensive Residential Curriculum to inform future program development.
Looking ahead to 2027, our team is exploring ways that Student Housing can use our increased capacity to better support students and programs at BCIT. We are currently piloting an expansion of Student Housing eligibility to support more students and programs. The preliminary focus of this is on full-time International Flexible Learning and graduate students.
The Student Housing team is very appreciative of all the campus partners who have helped us grow and develop the housing experience this year. We are all excited about further developing partnerships as we reflect on our learnings from this year and set ambitious goals for the year ahead.
Thank you,
Alan Hesketh, Associate Director, Student Housing
Commitment: Foster vibrant and inclusive communities
Initiative: Relevant education and sustainable practices
Deliverable: Expand programming in on-campus housing and implement emergency housing for students and an expanded residence life team in the new Tall Timber Student Housing.