Residence Campus Experience

Summary

Residence Life at Trinity Western University is a transformative, gospel-centered environment where students grow in faith, character, and leadership through intentional mentorship, community engagement, and holistic development. Rooted in TWU’s mission to develop unmistakable disciples of Jesus Christ, Residence Life equips students to thrive spiritually, relationally, and professionally—both on campus and beyond.

Body

 

TWU Residence Life Purpose and Understanding

At Trinity Western University, Residence Life is a cornerstone of holistic student development. The purpose of Residence Life is to actively participate in developing godly Christian leaders through gospel-centred community. Through intentional mentorship, spiritual formation, leadership development, and personal growth, we aim to cultivate resilient disciples, compassionate servant leaders, and thoughtful global citizens. Living on campus is not just about housing it's about shaping character, deepening faith, and preparing students to thrive both at TWU and beyond.

 

Institutional Vision and Mission

Trinity Western University’s mission is to develop “unmistakable disciples of Jesus Christ” who are prepared to influence their world as servant leaders. The university’s vision calls for graduates who are equipped to think truthfully, act justly, and live faithfully for the good of the world and the glory of God.

Residence Life plays a vital role in this mission by creating environments where students can:

  • Grow in faith and character
  • Build meaningful relationships
  • Engage in leadership and service
  • Experience Christian hospitality and accountability

The purpose of Residence Life is to actively participate in developing godly Christian leaders through gospel-centred community

. This means:
  • Actively participating: intentionally inviting all residents into continual engagement.
  • Godly Christian leaders: shaping whole persons, resilient disciples, compassionate servant leaders, and thoughtful global citizens.
  • Gospel-centred community: modeled after Christ’s example bearing life’s challenges and joys together, holding one another accountable in love, and practicing radical hospitality
    .

Residence Life is not just about where students live it's about how they live. It’s a transformative experience that complements TWU’s academic rigor with spiritual formation, leadership development, and holistic growth. Through mentorship, shared experiences, and intentional programming, Residence Life helps students embody the university’s mission in everyday life.

Goals of Residence Life

1. Spiritual Formation

  • Encourage discipleship through mentorship, small groups, and chapel engagement
  • Promote spiritual disciplines and reflection
  • Integrate biblical principles into daily living and conflict resolution

2. Community Building

  • Foster inclusive, respectful, and supportive living environments
  • Facilitate events and programs that promote connection and belonging
  • Address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in residence halls

3. Leadership Development

  • Equip student leaders (RAs, CFs, RADs) through training, retreats, and ongoing mentorship
  • Provide opportunities for students to lead initiatives and mentor peers

4. Student Care and Conduct

  • Implement the Student Code of Conduct with a restorative and educational approach
  • Support students through case management, wellness resources, and emergency protocols

5. Academic and Personal Support

  • Collaborate with academic departments and wellness services
  • Provide resources for mental health, conflict resolution, and life skills
Key Leaders of Residence Life

Professional Resident Director Staff

Resident Directors (RDs)

Resident Directors are full-time professional staff who oversee the daily operations of residence halls and apartment communities. They serve as mentors, managers, and spiritual leaders for both students and student leaders.

Responsibilities:

  • Supervise and coach student leaders (RAs, CFs, Apartment Reps, Pod Leaders).
  • Build relationships with students to develop them spiritually, relationally and morally
  • Facilitate conflict resolution and uphold the Student Code of Conduct.
  • Lead weekly RAD team meetings and one-on-one check-ins with student leaders.
  • Coordinate residence programming, spiritual development, and community-building initiatives.
  • Oversee housing logistics, safety protocols, and student support referrals.
  • Participate in hiring and training processes for Residence Life team members

Impact: RDs are the backbone of Residence Life, shaping the culture of each living area and ensuring that TWU’s mission of developing unmistakable disciples is lived out in everyday interactions.

Meet the team!

 

Student Leadership Roles in Residence Life

Student leadership is central to the Residence Life experience at Trinity Western University. These roles are designed to foster gospel-centred community, spiritual formation, and holistic development by empowering students to lead within their residential areas. Each position contributes uniquely to TWU’s mission of developing godly Christian leaders and unmistakable disciples of Jesus Christ.

Resident Assistants (RAs)

  • Primary Role: Build community, support residents, and lead programming within dorms.
  • Responsibilities:
    • Maintain a consistent presence in the building.
    • Connect with Residence on campus and build meaningful relationships
    • Facilitate dorm events and spiritual conversations.
    • Support students through personal and academic challenges.
    • Act as a bridge to campus resources (e.g., Wellness Centre, Sodexo dietary needs).
  • Impact: RAs are often the first point of contact for students navigating transitions, offering mentorship and hospitality rooted in Christian leadership.

Community Facilitators (CFs)

  • Primary Role: Engage residence students through events and outreach.
  • Responsibilities:
    • Host commuter-friendly events and build connection points.
    • Develop a CFA team that is made up of first and second year students to help with events and grow in leadership ability
    • Support spiritual and social integration for resident students.
    • Create events and opportunities for residents to connect
  • Impact: CFs ensure that resident students feel seen, supported, and included in the broader TWU community.

Community Facilitator Assistants (CFAs)

Community Facilitator Assistants support the work of Community Facilitators (CFs) by helping to build inclusive and welcoming environments for residents.

Responsibilities:

  • Assist in planning and executing community events and outreach.
  • Help CFs maintain communication and engagement with residents.
  • Provide logistical and emotional support during programming and conflict resolution.

Impact: CFAs extend the reach of Residence Life’s community-building efforts, ensuring that all students feel connected and supported.

Apartment Representatives

  • Primary Role: Foster community and accountability in apartment-style residences.
  • Responsibilities:
    • Plan and execute educational and social events.
    • Collaborate with Curriculum Events Coordinators and Jacobson Pod Leaders.
    • Maintain cleanliness and report maintenance issues.
  • Impact: Apartment Reps create intentional spaces for upper-year students to grow in leadership and faith while living more independently.

Jacobson Pod Leaders

  • Primary Role: Serve upper-year students in Jacobson Hall through mentorship and programming.
  • Responsibilities:
    • Organize large-scale educational events tailored to 3rd and 4th-year students.
    • Partner with CFs and Curriculum Events Coordinators to meet the unique needs of mature students.
    • Support spiritual formation and leadership development.
  • Impact: Pod Leaders help upperclassmen transition into deeper leadership roles and prepare for life beyond TWU.

 

Residence Life programming at Trinity Western University is designed to foster meaningful relationships, spiritual formation, and holistic development through shared experiences. Events range from intimate dorm gatherings to large-scale campus-wide traditions, each contributing to the vibrant culture of community and discipleship.

Dorm Meetings: Building Connection and Intentionality

Dorm meetings are the heartbeat of residential community life. Led by RAs and supported by RDs and CFs, these gatherings serve multiple purposes:

  • Connection: They create space for residents to build relationships, share stories, and grow in vulnerability.
  • Spiritual Formation: Many meetings include devotionals, testimonies, or Alpha-style discussions that explore faith in a safe and open environment.
  • Leadership Development: Dorm meetings often highlight student leaders and encourage residents to step into leadership roles.

Examples of Dorm Meeting Activities:

  • Dorm Devos led by residents
  • “Hot Seat” rapid-fire Q&A games
  • Face mask and nail painting nights during finals
  • Scavenger hunts, roommate dates, and tea & chat nights
  • Movie nights with interactive games (e.g., switch seats when a character says a catchphrase)
  • Dorm-wide gift exchanges with storytelling

Dorm meetings are also a space for RDs and CFs to connect with students, offer mentorship, and address emerging needs like roommate conflict or mental health support

Campus-Wide Events: Fort Week, Gotcha, and More

TWU’s Residence Life calendar features several iconic campus-wide events that unite students across buildings and years.

Fort Week

For over 20 years, Fort Week has been a signature tradition at TWU, bringing the campus together through dorm-based competitions and community events. Students participate in a variety of activities, including scavenger hunts, wide games, bucket challenge, and more, combining fun rivalry with meaningful connection.

Fort Week is Residence Life’s largest annual event, designed to build dorm pride, foster creativity, and deepen community bonds. Activities include:

  • Dorm competitions
  • Themed challenges and games
  • Closing ceremonies with awards and celebration

Planning for Fort Week involves CFs, and RDs working together to coordinate logistics, hype up participation, and ensure inclusive excellence. It’s a key moment for students to engage deeply with their dorm communities and the broader campus culture

Gotcha

Gotcha is a campus-wide tag-style game that runs over several days. Students sign up to “eliminate” others using creative methods while avoiding being tagged themselves. It’s a high-energy event that encourages strategy, bonding, and playful competition across residence halls

Lunar New Year

The Lunar New Year celebration is one of Trinity Western University’s most vibrant and inclusive campus-wide events, hosted annually in the spring semester by Residence Life in collaboration with the Office of Inclusive Excellence, International Community Programs (ICP), and student leaders

Specialized Programming

Residence Life also supports:

  • International Student Events: Collaborations with ICP for orientation, cultural nights, and welcome dinners.
  • Wellness Initiatives: Events focused on mental health, rest, and emotional resilience.
  • Inclusive Excellence: Programming that celebrates diversity and promotes equity, such as Lunar New Year celebrations and Truth & Reconciliation Week activities

Details

Details

Article ID: 168562
Created
Wed 9/3/25 4:05 PM
Modified
Thu 9/4/25 12:16 AM