Three in four respondents to the AMS’s Winter 2026 Student Experience Survey said housing in Kingston isn’t accessible and affordable, while more than half identified tuition, student fees, and financial aid among their top advocacy priorities.
The survey, conducted between March 23 and April 20, collected 4,031 responses from Queen’s students on housing, affordability, campus safety, belonging, AMS services, and public transportation.
According to the report, released Aug. 25, 75.5 per cent of respondents said Kingston housing isn’t accessible and affordable, compared to 18.6 per cent who said it is. Another 5.9 per cent abstained.
When asked to select their three most important advocacy priorities, 54.9 per cent chose tuition, ancillary fees, and financial aid, making it the most frequently selected issue.
Student health and wellness followed at 46.7 per cent, while academic experience and housing and community development received 35.6 and 35.4 per cent, respectively.
In an interview with The Journal, AMS President Dreyden George said affordability was among his biggest takeaways from the survey.
George said the findings will inform the AMS’s advocacy with University administrators, municipal officials, and the provincial government.
First-year students less likely to use AMS services
The survey identified a gap between first-year and upper-year students in their use of AMS services.
According to the report, 44.2 per cent of first-year respondents had used Common Ground Coffeehouse (CoGro), compared to 64.2 per cent of fourth-year respondents.
The report identifies CoGro, Queen’s Pub, and The Brew as the AMS’s most-used services.
Instead of attributing lower participation to dissatisfaction, it recommends the AMS increase promotion of its services during Orientation Week and throughout the first semester.
Housing affordability among biggest concerns
Although 75.5 per cent of respondents expressed concerns about Kingston’s housing affordability and accessibility, only 35.4 per cent selected housing and community development among their top three advocacy priorities.
George pointed to opportunities for advocacy through meetings with University, municipal, and provincial officials, as well as through the University’s governing processes.
George also emphasized the importance of student representation as Queen’s and the City develop housing strategies.
Beyond housing, 64.2 per cent of respondents said food insecurity is a significant issue facing undergraduate students, while 23.1 per cent disagreed and 12.7 abstained.
Despite these concerns, food insecurity was selected as a top three advocacy priority by 24.1 per cent of respondents.
Campus life was selected by 34.4 per cent, while accessibility received 13.2 per cent.
Students feel safe, but not all feel they belong
While 90 per cent of respondents reported feeling safe or very safe on campus, the results revealed a more divided picture of students’ sense of belonging.
Approximately 67.1 per cent described their sense of belonging as strong or very strong, while 24.6 per cent reported feeling neutral. Another 8.2 per cent described their sense of belonging as weak or very weak.
READ MORE: Do students feel a sense of belonging at Queen’s?
George said the findings regarding students with a weak sense of belonging warrant further investigation.
The survey didn’t collect information about respondents’ international student status, disability status, or faculty affiliation, limiting the AMS’s ability to determine whether particular groups experience weaker feelings of belonging.
Bus-it receives positive reviews despite concerns
The AMS’s Bus-it program received some of the survey’s most positive results, although respondents also raised concerns about transit reliability and overcrowding.
Among respondents, 84.8 per cent described Bus-it as valuable, while 82.8 per cent said the program is worth the cost included in student fees.
Despite the positive overall ratings, written responses highlighted frustrations with overcrowded buses, unreliable schedules, and limited service to West Campus.
READ MORE: Students share their thoughts on Kingston Transit
George said the current agreement is approaching its next renewal cycle next year, making student feedback important.
George said the survey is intended to become a consistent part of the AMS’s decision-making process. He said the results will be shared across AMS departments and with relevant University offices to help guide future initiatives.
Tags
affordability, affordable housing, AMS services, AMS Student Experience Survey
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