The UBC Commuter Student Hostel has changed locations to šxʷhəleləm̓s tə k̓ʷaƛ̓kʷəʔaʔɬ student residence and now only offers a private accommodation option for $69 per night.
Previously, the hostel was located in Walter Gage and had two options: shared accommodation for $39.99 and private accommodation which used to be $99 a night.
The Commuter Student Hostel aims to offer "commuter students affordable overnight accommodation during Winter Session to support academic success and involvement in campus co-curricular activities," as stated on the website. The rooms are available Sunday to Thursday from mid-September to the end of April. During exam periods, the rooms are available seven days a week. Room reservations can only be made online and at least 24 hours in advance, and there is a maximum stay of two nights in seven days.
In a statement to The Ubyssey, Director Student Residence Lakshmi Sangaranarayanan wrote “we wanted to return the 16 rooms in Gage that had been used for that purpose back into our upper year housing stock, so we could provide affordable winter session housing for more students.”
“We now offer up to 28 rooms to students who need a place to stay during exams, bad weather, or who may be experiencing temporary homelessness or fleeing a difficult situation at home,” wrote Sangaranarayanan.
Sangaranarayanan also noted that the reduction in price for private accommodation was to keep the program affordable for students.