The Office of Residence and Student Life logo. A light green branch with yellow leaves and acorns surrounded by a dark green circle. The tips of the branch are breaking through the circle.

What is ORSL?

The Office of Residence and Student Life (ORSL) is the main hub for all student activities at New College. ORSL serves all New College students and provides them with leadership opportunities, training, funding, and general support.

ORSL hosts a variety of programs which include:  

  • First Year Experience, which helps new student leaders develop their leadership skills while supporting incoming students,  
  • De-stressing events such as Let’s Talk and Community Hours,   
  • Re-Ignite, a reflective, skills-building program for first- and second-year students who didn’t achieve academically what they wanted to in first semester, and  
  • TransitionSMART, a program that supports upper year students as they move into various career and life paths.   

ORSL facilitates the residence program, working with students who live on campus and the Residence Dons. ORSL also serves the touch-point for the New College Residence Council and New College Student Council. 

Office Location, Hours, and Contact

Office Location

Office of Residence and Student Life
40 Willcocks Street (Wilson Hall)
Second floor, east end of Wilson Lounge
Toronto, ON, M5S 1C6

Office Hours (Fall/Winter)

Monday to Friday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed daily: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Summer Hours (July 1 – September 1)

Monday to Friday: 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Closed daily: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Closed


Contact Information

Telephone:

416-978-8875

Email:

Student Life and Leadership:
new.studentlife@utoronto.ca

Residence Life:
new.reslife@utoronto.ca

Residence Administration: 
new.residence@utoronto.ca

Who Do I Contact:

Contact Student Life and Leadership for:

Contact ORSL’s Student Life and Leadership team for questions about:

Events/Programs

> For commuter students
> For international students

Student Group Support

> Room bookings
> New College Student Centre

Getting Involved

> Mentorship programs
> First year orientations
> Job and volunteer opportunities

International Student Experience

> General support for New College international students

Contact Residence Administration for:

Contact ORSL’s Residence Administration team for questions about:

Residence Admission

> For prospective U of T students
> For current undergraduate students
> Room and building information

Arrivals and Departures

> Fall move-in
> Winter Break
> Spring move-out

Residence Administration

> Residence/meal plan fees
> Residence/meal plan policies
> Mail and packages
> Withdrawing from residence

College Amenities

> Bike Room
> Music Rooms
> Body Works Studio
> Multi-Purpose Room

Social Media

Find us on social media. We are @lifeatnew!

Residence and Student Life

Find information about ORSL’s Residence and Student Life programs, events, and opportunities below.

Residence Life at New College

Learn More

Student Life & Leadership

Learn More

Meet the ORSL Team

About Us

The Dean of Students, Leah McCormack-Smith, oversees the operation of the Office of Residence and Student Life and works closely with all student leaders to cultivate a rich living and learning experience within the residences and college. The Dean is “on-call” on a 24-hours a day, 7 days a week basis.

The Manager, Residence Life (MRL), Dylan Williamson, lives in the residence and manages the Residence Life portfolio including the Residence Curriculum, staff and student support, and case management. He also works closely with the team of 21 Residence Dons and 6 Learning eXperience Assistants to ensure a vibrant residence living and learning experience. He is available to all residents for support, assistance, and advice.

The Assistant Dean, Student Life & Leadership (ADSLL), Trish Starling, is responsible for facilitating student life activities within the College, with a specific focus on commuting students. She promotes community development, academic success, and personal growth of students through leadership programming, policy development, and student advising.

The Assistant Dean, Administration and Residence Operations (ADARO), Nikki Butler, works with Leah and Dylan on all aspects of the housing operations, including housing contracts, extensions, placements, and fees. She also works very closely with the department budgets and coordinates the ORSL office.

In the Office of Residence and Student Life you will also find Kevin Nitièma, Katherine Li, Alex Sabzparvar, Shivani Baldeo, Chelsy Caranto, Thérèse Perucho, Stuart Oakes, and Peter Valerio. They are always happy to lend a sympathetic ear and offer friendly assistance and advice with any problems relating to the residence.

ORSL Staff

Dean of Students

Leah McCormack-Smith


Residence Life

Dylan Williamson
Manager, Residence Life

Kevin Nitièma
Coordinator, Residence Education Programs

Katherine Li
Residence Life Coordinator


Student Life and Leadership

Trish Starling
Assistant Dean, Student Life & Leadership

Shari Chan
Assistant Dean, Wellness and Engagement

Alex Sabzparvar
Coordinator, Student Groups & Leadership Opportunities

Shivani Baldeo
Student Life Coordinator, International Student Transition & Success

Chelsy Caranto
Student Life Coordinator, Programming and Mentorship

Thérèse Perucho
Student Life Coordinator, Orientation and Transition


Administration

Nikki Butler
Assistant Dean, Administration and Residence Operations

Stuart Oakes
Residence Operations Coordinator

Peter Valerio
Administration and Communications Assistant