On September 6, students moved into the new Oak House residence on Spadina Avenue and Sussex Avenue after a two-week delay. On August 22, a day before the original move-in, residents received an email stating that move-in would be pushed “about a week” due to “last minute construction delays.” After this email, the move-in was further delayed to September 6, as reflected by the Oak House website. 

Students who could delay their arrival were offered a $500 credit, and their room and meal plan fees were adjusted to reflect the delay. Students unable to delay their arrival were provided with temporary residence at Parkside Student Residence or CampusOne. 

In a statement sent to The Varsity, Janice Johnson, executive director, Student Housing & Residence Experience, wrote, “We are in frequent communication with the affected students, housing all of them at other student residences if they wish and providing the full orientation experience as well as supports and activities in their temporary accommodations.”

Even with students now living in the building, Oak House has ongoing construction. The residence’s website currently reads, “Please be advised that a few areas and features will still require some extra touch ups following move-in day.”

“We regret the disappointment, frustration and added stress caused by the delay. Our full focus is on this matter, with the academic success of our students the top priority,” Johnson wrote in her statement to The Varsity. “We made every effort to have everything ready. At the final inspection on Aug. 22, however, we determined more construction work was needed.”

Oak House was developed by the university in partnership with The Daniels Corporation, a Toronto-based builder and developer. When asked about what specific construction work was still needed, both media relations teams declined to comment. 

A smooth move-in day

On move-in day, students pulled suitcases and carts loaded with bags through the lobby of Oak House, where music played from speakers and smiling residence staff helped them check in. The Varsity spoke to students moving in to find out how the delay has impacted them.

“I commuted from home…[in] Markham,” said Matthew Scott, a first-year social science student, who said he was still able to attend his orientation week despite the disruption. 

For second-year history student Rory McGreth, the delay was not a problem. “I wasn’t even going to be here anyways,” he said.

Jocelyn Luong, a first-year life sciences student from Vietnam, spent the two-week delay with family members who live in Toronto.

“It was unfortunate. Obviously, I hoped to come here a bit early before school starts… I kind of wanted to get adjusted, unpack everything, get everything ready before class. It is what it is.”

For Luong, moving in after classes had started, “was a bit chaotic. I had to commute a lot, but it was okay overall, because I have my relatives’ support.”