Whether you are a visitor to our space, a collective member, or someone interested in living at ECOLE, check out our answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about ECOLE below!
Facilitators
How many facilitators live in ECOLE?
There are 10 facilitators who live at ECOLE. They must be McGill students to be eligible to live here.
What do ECOLE facilitators do?
ECOLE facilitators are responsible for a range of activities. They practice collective, intentional, and sustainable living as a cohort. They also carry out activities such as event planning, implementing their sustainability microprojects, developing and maintaining resources for sustainability initiatives on McGill campus. They work together and with other groups and communities to build a hub for sustainability activities at the heart of Montreal.
What does sustainable, collective living entail?
Sustainable, collective living can look different depending on the interests and commitments of different individuals and groups. This is why ECOLE is an ongoing experiment for urban sustainable living.
However, in essence, this form of living entails being aware of the ecological and social impacts of one’s everyday choices and practices, and making conscious adjustments to support a low-emissions, ethical, and just lifestyle. It also involves the facilitators’ learning to live together in an intentional and mutually respectful way.
What is the rent at ECOLE?
Students who live at ECOLE pay monthly rent amounts in the range between $500 to $650.
Who owns and manages the ECOLE house?
The ECOLE house is situated at 3559 University street, on traditional territory of the Kanien’keha:ka and a place which has long served as a site of meeting and exchange amongst nations. The ECOLE project and its members manage the house in a contract with McGill University Student Housing and Hospitality Services, who leases the building to ECOLE.
What do the rooms look like?
Every bedroom at ECOLE comes furnished with basic items: bed, desk, swivel chair, 3-tier dresser, bedside dresser. Every room has a closet of varying size. You can view videos and photos of the rooms here.
Can I start or end the lease at times other than those indicated on the terms?
Unfortunately, since the leases are signed with McGill University Student Housing and Hospitality Services, we (ECOLE) cannot adjust the leases to accommodate your calendar. If any facilitator is going on exchange or graduates from their program, they can request an early termination before the start of the lease. Please inform the coordinator of this plan.
Spacebooking
Is spacebooking free of charge?
Yes, it’s completely free!
What are the spaces and facilities in the ECOLE house?
To fulfill our mandate in providing a sustainability hub to communities, we have public spaces in the house that are open for booking by McGill groups with a sustainability mandate. There are 3 spaces available for use: the living room, the kitchen/dining room, and the meeting room. Groups have used these spaces for their meetings, workshops, events, and gatherings. If you are interested in learning more about how to reserve these spaces, please email us at spaces.ecoleproject@gmail.com.
ECOLE facilitators should be aware that these common areas are accessible by external groups (with ECOLE’s permission) during specific hours in the day. Outside these time windows, ECOLE facilitators use these spaces as their common rooms.
My group is not strictly a “sustainability” group. Can I still use your space?
Good question! Here at ECOLE, we view sustainability as having many components and manifestations. If your group and the activities that you do represent any of the ecological, social, and economic aspects of sustainability, we’d like to hear from you to see where our mandates and interests might meet. And if you want to take this as an opportunity to initiate a sustainability activity/event within your group, we’d love to help you make that happen too!
Can our group book a space on a recurring schedule?
Yes! Please email us at spaces.ecoleproject@gmail.com if you want to book a space on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. We will check for availability then process your request.
What do I need to do as space users?
Please review the ECOLE Space User Rules and Guidelines carefully when booking a space with us. We expect you and all members of your group in attendance to respect these rules. In short, please be respectful of the spaces as if they’re in your own home, because the ECOLE facilitators have indeed welcomed you into their home!
To be updated…