Mitchell Hall welcomed the campus community into its brand new central atrium, examination spaces, and a second Starbucks location last week, marking the public debut of Queen’s newest building. This week, the next wave of occupants take their places in the signature new facility, providing a variety of services for students and staff.

The Queen’s University International Centre, Health Promotion, Faith and Spiritual Life, and Student Community Relations move into Mitchell Hall on Tuesday, Dec. 11 and Wednesday, Dec. 12.

“Watching staff and students pass through the doors of Mitchell Hall for the first time last week was a real pleasure,” says Tom Harris, Interim Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic). “Now that exams are successfully underway in many of the building’s new spaces, including three gyms, multi-purpose classrooms, and the Examination Centre, I’m proud to welcome our campus community to explore more of Mitchell Hall with the openings of four new facilities.”

Students and staff are now able to visit the Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC) on the second floor of Mitchell Hall. QUIC is an international education support service for students, faculty, and staff that provides resources for international students studying at Queen’s, connects Queen’s students with educational opportunities abroad, and works to enhance and diversify international learning on campus. The new QUIC is a bright space with floor-to-ceiling windows facing Union Street. Students, both international and domestic, are invited to come socialize and network, seek advice, access a variety of programming, and learn about campus activities and services.

On Friday, Dec. 14, the new Gregory David and Neil Rossy Health Promotion Hub will be ready for visitors. This student-focused service aims to support and improve health and well-being by working across the interconnected domains of physical, mental, and social health. Peer volunteer teams assist students in making healthy choices, providing education and skill building related to harm reduction, substance use, nutrition, sexual health, and more. The new facility is a visible main floor space for peer programs, training, professional development workshops, and the creation of new programs.

Faith and Spiritual Life is open throughout December, providing a space on Mitchell Hall’s second level for students and staff to engage in reflection and prayer, and participate in the various programs offered by the Faith and Spiritual Life team. Led by Queen’s Chaplain Kate Johnson, Faith and Spiritual Life provides a range of spiritual supports to students, faculty, and staff. The new space includes a small, cheerful lounge where students are welcome to heat and eat their lunch, or enjoy a cup of tea after they have been at prayer. A new Interfaith Room is also nearing completion, and there are ablution stations in the second floor bathrooms. The West Campus location of Faith and Spiritual Life remains open on Tuesday afternoons or by appointment.

Students seeking assistance with community-related matters, including support with off-campus housing issues, are now able to visit the new Student Community Relations Office (SCR) on Mitchell Hall’s second floor. Coordinator Joan Jones will be available for confidential guidance on evaluating off-campus housing, tenant rights and responsibilities, resources for moving, and more. The move to Mitchell Hall keeps SCR near the student services that often refer students to its services, and in the heart of an active student-centered building.

“Mitchell Hall’s central location on campus enhances the visibility and accessibility of many of the important services Queen’s offers its students,” says Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs. “It also brings many services together, increasing opportunities for collaborative initiatives that respond to evolving student needs.”

Athletics and Recreation is opening ARC South in January, which includes a new High Performance Varsity Training Centre for student athletes, as well as expanded intramural activities in the three gyms currently hosting exams.

With the exception of Health Promotion, Student Wellness Services will continue operating in its current space in the Lasalle Building on Stuart Street until the end of the academic year, before taking up residence in the new Côté Sharp Student Wellness Centre on Mitchell Hall’s main floor. Over the next few weeks, the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science active learning classrooms will be opening, as will new research and innovation spaces.

Located at the corner of Union and Division streets on the former site of the Physical Education Centre, Mitchell Hall was made possible through over $50 million in philanthropic support. The federal and Ontario governments also contributed $22 million to the project.

Learn more about Mitchell Hall and all of its current and future tenants, on the website.