Trent University had the honour of hosting the Ontario Association of College and University Housing Officers (OACUHO) 2023 Spring Conference. The event welcomed over 150 professionals from institutions across the province to discuss the industry's most pressing topics and ideas, creating an atmosphere of innovation, knowledge-sharing, and personal growth for emerging professionals.  

The conference theme of Building Better Together addressed timely topics such as staff capacity, burnout, modern building projects, and the ongoing housing crisis. It was a resounding success, offering a wide range of learning sessions, networking opportunities, and engaging keynotes by esteemed speakers Dr. Robyne Henley-Dafoe and Canadian author Kate Davis. Attendees departed the event with a renewed sense of motivation to tackle the toughest challenges facing the industry in the coming academic year. 

“Being able to host housing professionals from across the province on our campus was an invaluable opportunity for learning, engagement, and community-building,” expressed Daniel Brisebois, Trent’s assistant director of Residence Life & Education. “Trent University takes pride in its leadership in the field of student housing, and we were thrilled to showcase our expertise and on-campus experiences to industry professionals. It was a rewarding experience for our team, and we hope it provided valuable insights for those seeking to expand and improve their own campus housing initiatives.” 

Trent's Symons Campus provided a serene and inspiring backdrop for the conference. The diverse and expansive campus was showcased throughout the event, featuring modern buildings like Enwayaang and the Student Centre, as well as the historically acclaimed Champlain and Otonabee Colleges. Attendees also had the opportunity to explore Peterborough's vibrant downtown, indulging in local food and entertainment for a memorable evening. 

Designed by experienced housing professionals, the conference’s roster of learning sessions were valuable resources for staff to take action on challenges at their home institutions.  Topics such as Streamlining Indigenous Student Residence Applications, Understanding Your Staffing Needs, Equitable Practices and Relational Approaches to Behavioral Intervention were included in discussion. 

"We would like to thank Trent University for hosting the 2023 OACUHO Spring Conference on its beautiful campus. It was a valuable opportunity for housing professionals to connect, learn and grow together,” shared OACUHO president, Parmveer Mundi. “It showcased the innovative and collaborative work that our member institutions did to enhance the student experience and the field of student housing.  Thank you, Trent! We appreciate your hospitality and support for this event.”