MPAS Housing Guidelines

The purpose of these guidelines is to outline housing support, expectations, and responsibilities associated with Year 2 clinical experiences in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Program.

These guidelines should be read in conjunction with applicable MPAS Clinical Experience Guidelines, MPAS Travel Guidelines, University of Saskatchewan policies, and any site-specific housing requirements communicated by landlords, property managers, clinical sites, or community partners.

The MPAS Program utilizes a hub-based clinical education model for Year 2 clinical experiences.

Each learner is assigned to an Urban Hub (Saskatoon, Regina, or Prince Albert) that serves as the primary location for most of their clinical experiences. Learners are responsible for arranging and funding their own housing within their assigned Urban Hub.

As part of the Clinical Year, all learners are required to complete an 11-week Rural Longitudinal Clinical Experience within a designated rural Saskatchewan community. To support learner participation in required rural experiences and reduce barriers associated with temporary relocation, the MPAS Program will arrange and fund housing accommodations for approved Rural Longitudinal Clinical Experience placements.

Housing arrangements may be coordinated directly by the MPAS Program, clinical sites, community partners, rural administrators, or property owners. Housing assignments are based on availability and may vary between communities.

The MPAS Program reserves the right to determine housing assignments based on availability, suitability, cost, operational requirements, and community resources.

Program-arranged housing is intended to support learners completing required Rural Longitudinal Clinical Experiences.

Housing will generally be:

• Fully furnished;
• Equipped with basic household amenities;
• Located within or near the assigned rural community; and
• Provided at no cost to the learner.

Depending on community resources and housing availability, accommodations may consist of a private suite, apartment, house, hotel-style unit, or shared accommodation.

Learners may be required to share common living spaces with another College of Medicine learner. Where shared accommodations are utilized, learners will generally be provided with a private bedroom; however, housing arrangements may vary by community and available resources.

Housing type and amenities may vary by community and availability. All housing assignments are based on availability, and specific preferences, including family accommodation, additional bedrooms, or pet-friendly options, cannot be guaranteed.

Housing is generally not provided for elective clinical experiences. Exceptions may be approved for designated rural, remote, or underserved communities where the MPAS Program has identified available housing and funding support.

Learners will receive housing information in advance of their Rural Longitudinal Clinical Experience.

Housing information may include:

• Property address;
• Landlord or property manager contact information;
• Check-in and check-out procedures;
• Parking information;
• Site-specific housing requirements; and
• Emergency contact information.

Where housing is managed locally, learners may be contacted directly by the landlord, property manager, rural administrator, or community representative approximately one week prior to arrival to coordinate check-in arrangements.

If learners have questions or concerns regarding housing arrangements, check-in procedures, accommodations, landlord interactions, or housing-related issues during their placement, they should contact the MPAS Learner Experience Coordinator as soon as possible.

Housing arrangements and property-specific requirements may differ between communities. Learners are responsible for reviewing and complying with all applicable housing requirements communicated by the landlord, property manager, clinical site, or community partner.

Requirements may include:

• Guest and visitor policies;
• Pet restrictions, pet fees, or pet deposits;
• Smoking restrictions;
• Parking requirements;
• Noise and quiet-hour expectations;
• Cleaning requirements;
• Garbage and recycling procedures; and
• Check-in and check-out requirements.

Subletting, transferring occupancy, or permitting unauthorized occupants to reside in program-arranged housing is prohibited.

Learners are expected to:

• Respect the property and surrounding community;
• Conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner when residing in shared accommodations;
• Respect the privacy, safety, and reasonable use of shared spaces by other occupants;
• Comply with all housing rules and tenancy requirements;
• Maintain accommodation in a reasonable state of cleanliness throughout their stay;
• Return accommodations in a clean and orderly condition at the end of the placement;
• Report maintenance or safety concerns in a timely manner; and
• Promptly notify the MPAS Learner Experience Coordinator of any significant housing-related issues.

Learners are encouraged to promptly report any housing-related concerns, including maintenance issues, safety concerns, landlord or property management concerns, or accommodation issues.

The MPAS Program will make reasonable efforts to assist learners in resolving housing-related concerns; however, resolution timelines may vary depending on the nature of the concern and involvement of third-party housing providers.

Learners should direct all housing-related concerns to the MPAS Learner Experience Coordinator.

Learners are responsible for any damage to the property, furnishings, or amenities beyond normal wear and tear, and must ensure their use of the property complies with standard expectations and the terms of the applicable lease, housing agreement, or property guidelines. Any associated costs or penalties may be charged directly to the learner.

Learners are responsible for costs resulting from:

• Damage beyond normal wear and tear;
• Excessive cleaning requirements;
• Lost keys, access cards, parking passes, remotes, or fobs;
• Unauthorized occupants or pets; and
• Any charges assessed by the landlord or property manager as a result of the learner's occupancy.

Where applicable, learners may be required to reimburse landlords or housing providers directly.

Parking availability varies by community and property.

Information regarding available parking arrangements will be communicated to learners in advance. Any costs associated with additional parking or special parking arrangements are the responsibility of the learner.

Learners are responsible for any costs associated with optional services or amenities that are not included in the housing arrangement.

Examples may include:

• Additional parking;
• Cable or streaming services;
• Recreation facility access;
• Housekeeping services; or
• Other optional amenities.

Learners requiring housing accommodations due to a disability or medical condition should contact the MPAS Program as early as possible.

Requests may require consultation with Access and Equity Services (AES) and supporting documentation. Accommodation requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and reasonable accommodations will be provided where appropriate and feasible.

Learners and their guests must not engage in illegal activity within or around program-arranged housing accommodations.

Concerns involving illegal activity, property damage, or conduct that may constitute a professionalism concern may be referred to the Academic Director and addressed through applicable MPAS policies and procedures.

The MPAS Program, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, clinical sites, community partners, landlords, and property managers are not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to personal property.

Learners are responsible for securing and insuring their personal belongings. Learners are highly encouraged to obtain renter’s (tenant) insurance to mitigate risks related to loss, theft, or damage to personal property.