As students return to Kingston for the fall semester, the University District Safety Initiative (UDSI) is back in effect.
The UDSI took effect Aug. 28 at 12:01 a.m. and will remain in place until Sept. 13 at 6 a.m., covering the move-in and orientation period.
During the UDSI period, City bylaw enforcement officers and Kingston Police will have an increased presence in the University District.
The UDSI changes how existing laws and bylaws can be enforced during designated periods. According to the City, offences covered by the initiative include creating, hosting, or allowing a nuisance party, failing to leave or stop a nuisance party when ordered, using a closed road, interfering with officers, and certain noise and alcohol-related offences.
According to an announcement from the City of Kingston, the initiative aims to educate community members and reduce risks associated with large unsanctioned gatherings, including pressure on emergency services.
Individuals issued an Administrative Monetary Penalty during the UDSI period may also receive a Part I court summons, requiring them to appear before a justice of the peace. The City said whether an individual receives a warning for summons depends on what an officer observes.
The names of individuals issued a summons are placed on the public court record, which can be used to identify Queen’s students. The University then reviews each student’s case individually and determines whether academic consequences are appropriate.
The City also states individuals may have to cover costs associated with Kingston Police or Kingston Fire and Rescue responding to their residence, at approximately $90 for each officer or firefighter for each hour or portion of an hour they attend.
Although the initiative is named after the University District, Kingston Police and bylaw enforcement can enforce the UDSI citywide.
Gord Edgar Downie Pier and Breakwater Park beach will also close nightly from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. The City said the closures are intended to address safety risks associated with large unsanctioned gatherings in the area at night.
In an interview with The Journal Racheal Reddy, AMS commissioner of external affairs, said the AMS views education, accessibility, and transparency as important components of the initiative.
While the AMS wasn’t consulted on the dates of this year’s UDSI period, Reddy said she has been working with the City and enforcement services on how information about the initiative is communicated with students.
The AMS is also working with the City’s communications staff to revise materials about the initiative, according to Reddy.
“A lot of people come from out of province, out of town even, and the way that their city works is different to Kingston,” she said.
Reddy said the AMS plans to distribute information in frequently visited student spaces, including the ARC and the JDUC, and work through residence channels to reach first-year students.
In a statement sent to The Whig that was shared with The Journal, Queen’s said the University, student leaders, and the City are working together to promote safe and responsible behaviour as students return to Kingston for the 2026-27 academic year.
More than 1,000 upper-year students will lead activities during Fall Orientation, which will take place over the first few weeks of the semester, according to the University.
Queen’s is encouraging students to make safe choices and respect their neighbours and the surrounding Kingston community. The University also noted its Student Code of Conduct can apply to off-campus behaviour.
Reddy said she wants communication around the UDSI to emphasize a shared responsibility between students, the City, and other residents.
“It’s not about […] anyone trying to take away from what the university experience is,” Reddy said. “It’s more just creating a sense of shared responsibility and shared belonging in a place that a lot of people call home.”
Queen’s move-in begins the evening of Sept. 4 and continues until 5 p.m. on Sept. 5. The City will implement temporary parking restrictions and one-way traffic measures on several streets surrounding campus.
Overnight parking restrictions will be in effect from 4 p.m. Sept. 4 to 5 p.m. Sept. 5 on several streets surrounding campus, including portions of Albert, Stuart, Collingwood, Earl, St. Lawrence, and King streets, as well as Bader Lane and Queen’s Crescent.
Additional parking restrictions will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 5 near several intersections while portions of Queen’s Crescent, Bader Lane, Stuart, St. Lawrence, Collingwood, Albert streets, and University Avenue will temporarily become one-way streets.
— With files from Jonathan Reilly
Tags
Campus safety, move-in, orientation, Student safety initiative, UDSI
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to eic@queensjournal.ca.