Work & Volunteer

Being a member of the Residence Life Staff team is a rich and rewarding experience. York University Residence Life is committed to providing an educational experience to all students living in residence. York University residents will engage in transformative experiences that foster empathy, compassion, belonging, and a commitment to the enrichment of their communities and one another.

The Residence Life Management Team is responsible for providing support to our Residence Life Staff and student communities. We prioritize the well-being of our community while promoting educational programming and conversations to enrich student learning and belonging.

A House Don is responsible for a student community, and hosts learning conversations and runs programming to engage their residents. A Community Engagement Don leads the Community Engagement Committee and its team members by organizing events such as Spirit Cup for the residence community. A Senior Don acts as a mentor to their fellow Dons, providing guidance and leadership while supporting their own student communities.

Nope! We are looking for passionate and dedicated community-builders. No residence experience required.

Yes, you do. Dons participate in an on-call rotation that requires them to be in the building during shifts and are expected to connect with the community outside of the hours.

You can have another job while being a Don. However, we expect that your first priority in extracurriculars is the Don role, due to the consistent support and guidance you’ll be providing.

Yes! If you are a current, full-time student, you can apply to be a Don.

Don’s participate in a two-week training period at the end of August. Training focuses on core aspects of your role and building unity with your fellow team members. August Training is a mandatory requirement of fulfilling the role.

While additional experience is complementary, we do not require any previous leadership or work experience to apply and be a successful Don.

Traditionally, Dons work approxamitely 15 hours a week with the addition or 1-2 on-call shifts per week.

Successful candidates will be able to submit accomodation requests to ensure you are placed in an appropriate residence unit. However, we do not allow formal requests for specific buildings/units.

Yes! Dons receive a $250 stipend per semester. In addition, they will receive their residence room as a taxable benefit, meaning that the employer will cover the cost of housing.

A great Don is someone with compassion and empathy. Dons provide support to their students while promoting a vibrant, inclusive and safe learning environment for their community. By being a great Don, you are contributing to a space that prioritizes wellness and individual identity, while creating a lively and tight-knit community. If this sounds like you, apply today!

Residence Life Staff will be expected to thoughtfully engage with their students and communities. A video submission allows applicants to express their interests for Residence Life with a read for tone and passion. Additionally, with the rise of AI, we want to ensure we are receiving authentic applications that align with our values. Stay tuned for our interview tips & tricks!

Residence Life does not permit the use of generative-AI tools. If you are looking for a guide to support your application, consider these resources.