Introduction to USMC - St. Michael's College and Loretto Residence

The University of St. Michael’s College is one of seven colleges that comprise the University of Toronto’s Arts & Science division. Originally founded in 1852 by an order of Catholic priests known as the Basilian Fathers, our motto of “teach me goodness, discipline, and knowledge” helps set the tone for life on campus. SMC also benefits from the history of its founding women's religious communities- Sisters of St. Joseph and the Loretto sisters.  With over 5,000 students and spanning more than 10 acres, St. Mike’s is one of the largest Colleges at UofT and provides an idyllic home to the 670 students who choose to live in our College residences. Although affiliated with the U of T at the undergraduate level, St. Michael’s remains a university in its own right through its acclaimed graduate programs in the Faculty of Theology. St Mike’s welcomes students from all backgrounds and faith traditions who want to be a part of its community. 

The SMC Residence is organized to help students pursue their degrees in a friendly, supportive, and inclusive environment.  St. Mike’s believes that residence is much more than simply a place to live – it is a time-honored tradition that provides students with an educational experience that cannot be taught in the classroom. Living in a diverse community with people from every region of the world is an enriching experience and one that helps prepare students for success in an increasingly interconnected world.  The SMC Residence is comprised of 6 different buildings that provide accommodation to approximately 670 students within sixteen different ‘houses’. These houses accommodate between fifteen and fifty students studying in a variety of academic programs. St. Mike’s welcomes both male and female students; we offer co-ed communities, and single-gender communities, and Loretto College is an all-women's community. 

The Role of the Residence Don

The Residence Don program seeks to engage residence students by connecting them to the St. Michael’s community and providing them with opportunities for personal growth that takes place outside of the classroom. Residence Dons are committed to supporting residence life by organizing events, developing community-building initiatives, and providing mentorship and guidance to individual students. Other responsibilities include:

1. Maintaining order within their assigned house by ensuring that students comply with the rules of residence.

2. Participate in a 7 days rounds system to support the community after hours. 

3. Foster a sense of community and support the overall development of students by providing mentorship and guidance.

4. Develop residence programming that meets the needs and interests of students, collaborating with St. Michael's Residence Council, or other student groups when possible.

5. Plan and host regular meetings with their house to communicate important information from the Dean of Students' Office, and answer any questions that students may have.

6. Provide support to students in one-on-one check-ins and on an on-going basis, sharing concerns with the Assistant Dean, Residence Life, and providing referrals when needed.

7. Ensuring that all SMC rules and policies are enforced in a supportive manner, with the understanding that policies in place are for the betterment of students and our community. 

 

The Importance of Dons

The University of St. Michael’s College is committed to developing student leaders who can communicate the mission and values of the institution through their leadership and example. To this end, Residence dons serve as role models for our student body and are ambassadors for the University at large. In collaboration with the Dean's Office, the residence dons work together to aid in the formation of the whole student, by supporting mulptple aspects of the student experience. 

Qualifications for Residence Dons

1. Must be able to demonstrate values-based leadership, integrity, and exercise good judgment at all times.

2. Must be enrolled full-time at the University of Toronto for the Fall 2023/Winter 2024 terms.

3. Must be in good academic standing, with a minimum cGPA of 2.5.

4. Must have completed at least two years of post-secondary studies.

Residence Don Training

1. Successful candidates will be required to move into residence in the third weekend in August to begin an intensive period of training, planning, and preparation prior to the general student population arrives. 

2. Successful candidates will be required to be present for Move In Day and Orientation week, to attend and support the Dean's Office as required prior to the start of classes. 

3. Attendance will be required at two in-service training sessions (in October and in January), which will occur on a Saturday.

4. All Dons must be first aid certified by the time they start their tenure in August. St. Michael's College will reimburse training costs up to $120 with a valid receipt.

 

Time Commitment Expectations

Below is a general guideline of what a Don can expect to commit to,in an average month, though it may vary depending on the time of year, or a community's specific needs:

Student Support (12 - 25 hours/month)

- Responding to on-going and new student concerns
- Mediating House issues and complaints
- Student outreach & engagement

Student One-on-Ones (8 - 12 hours/month)

- Intentional student support meetings

Residence Programs (12 - 18 hours/month)

- Office Hours 
- Residence community building program
- Passive programming implementation
- Residence or constituency-wide programs

Meetings (4 hours/month)

- House meetings
- One on one meetings with the Assistant Dean, Residence Life
- Full team meetings 
- Constituency team meetings 

Residence Don Remuneration

In return for your services as a Residence Don, you will receive:

1. Room and board for the 2023-2024 Academic Year; including a single room with an ensuite washroom, and a 7-day meal plan for St. Michael's College dining hall,

2. USMC Residence Don Apparel

3. University of Toronto Co-Curricular Record (CCR) recognition 

4. Don Training, including SafeTALK and other transferrable training

Application deadline: Open until positions are filled

1. Complete the application form below

2. Submit two letters of reference, preferably from someone who understands the role that Dons play and can comment on how your particular skills and abilities would translate to the position. Reference letters should be submitted using the following link:

Reference Letter Submissions

3. If you are currently a resident at USMC or another U of T college, you are also required to submit an evaluation from your Don. Please ask them to use the following link to submit:

Evaluation from Current Don

**Current members of the USMC don team will provide an evaluation form and not reference letter. 

Not all applicants will be interviewed. A selection committee will determine a shortlist of candidates who will be interviewed in mid-February and early March.

For more information about the Donship role at St. Michael's College, please join current members of the Residence Life team for a virtual information session: 

•  No info sessions are available at this time. 

Please visit our website for more information: http://stmikes.utoronto.ca/smcresidence/

 

 

STATEMENT OF INTENT

Please provide a Statement of Intent and address the following areas:

1. Why you are interested in being a Don at the University of St. Michael’s College and Loretto Residences
2. How your skills, strengths, and experiences would complement the position, and 
3. How you propose to live out the mission and values of the University of St. Michael’s College within the community? 

We wish to thank all candidates for their interest in applying for the Residence Don position; however, only candidates who are invited to sit for an interview will be contacted.

Note: If you are a current SMC resident, the Dean's Office reserves the right to contact your current don for a reference.