Frequently asked questions | FAQs

About the Residences 

What's the difference between the Waterloo Residences and the University College Residences?

The University Colleges are like mini-universities within the larger Waterloo community. They are located directly on the Waterloo campus and offer courses within the Waterloo faculties.

The Waterloo Residences are much bigger with 300-1300 students in each facility. First-year students are placed together according to academic streaming, but are separate from upper-year students. Strong communities are built with the assistance of Dons in each area.

What are the Waterloo Residences?

The 5 first-year Waterloo Residences are:

• Village 1 (V1)
• Ron Eydt Village (REV)
• UW Place (UWP)
• Mackenzie King Village (MKV)
• Columbia Lake Village - South (CLV)

What are the University College Residences? 

The four University College Residences are: 

• Conrad Grebel University College - Note: Conrad Grebel has a separate application process and is not included in the first-year guarantee
• Renison College
• St. Jerome's University
• St. Paul's University College

Can I come and visit the residences?

Sure! Residence tours are offered regularly. Try to visit the residences when there are students living in them. It is hard to get a good impression of what a residence is really like when the students are not there. 

Which residence is closest to my faculty?

Here is a map of the campus. Remember that you can have classes in any building, not just those associated with your faculty. 

How many students live on a floor or in a house? Do men and women share rooms/floors/bathrooms?

This number varies across residence communities, but usually somewhere between 40-60 students in a designated area (floor/house). All individual first-year rooms and suites are single gender, however, each floor or house may be single or mixed gender. Washrooms are always single gender.

Upper-years may choose to live in a mixed-gender unit. 

Are the Waterloo Residences safe? 

Staff at the Department of Housing and Residences take the safety of students living in residence very seriously. All facilities have been designed for safety and security. Buildings, houses, and floors are locked and students must have a key to get in. Students are encouraged to practice basic security measures, including locking their door when they are not at home or when they're asleep and not holding exterior doors open for non-residents. 

Learn more about residence safety

Application process and room allocation

What is the residence guarantee and how do I know if I qualify?

The University of Waterloo residence guarantee for first-year students is a collaborative effort between Waterloo Residences and the University College Residences. (Note: Conrad Grebel is not included in the first-year guarantee, and follows a separate application process.)

Learn more about the first-year residence guarantee

What if I receive my offer of admission late or miss the deadline?

You will receive information in your Academic Offer of Admission package to help you in your housing search. This letter will direct you on how to search for vacancies on- and off-campus. 

Some spaces in some of the residence communities may be available after the guaranteed students are accommodated. However, these spaces may not be made available until late-August or early-September. If you are not accommodated by the residence guarantee, you will probably need to look off campus. Our Off-Campus Housing service will be available to help you find a suitable place to live.

Am I also guaranteed to get my first choice of residence or room type?

No. The residence guarantee only guarantees you a room in residence. Many students select the same room type and/or residence community and there are only so many rooms and spaces in each residence. Therefore, it is impossible to guarantee every student their first choice. 

If I submit my Residence Community Ranking Form and my Waterloo Residences Preference Form right away, will I have a better chance of getting my first choices?

No. This is not a first-come, first-served process. Everyone who submits these forms on time has an equal chance of getting their first choice. 

How many spaces in each residence are for first-year students?

Please take a look at our allocation chart for details on how many spaces in each residence are allocated to first-year students. 

I had Waterloo Residences ranked as my first choice. Why was I placed in a University College Residence?

Every effort is made to accommodate students with their first choice. However, depending on demand, specific preferences cannot always be accommodated. If Waterloo Residences cannot accommodate all of the students who choose them as their first choice, students who chose a University College Residence that had spaces remaining as their second choice may be placed there.

What's on the Waterloo Residences Preference Form?

The Waterloo Residences Preference Form has 8 sections: 

How are rooms assigned to first-year students?

Room assignments are given out lottery-style based on a computer generated number assigned to your application (not on a first-come, first-served basis). Since there are over 3,000 first-year students in the system, you could be assigned a number anywhere between 1 and 3,000 (or higher). 

The allocation program considers your gender, your academic stream, and the information you provided on the online Waterloo Residences Preference Form, including your medical information, residence community, roommate request and your personal characteristic preferences when assigning rooms. 

Do all students receive their room assignment on
July 6th?

No. Some students will not receive their room assignment right away. Over the summer, many students withdraw from Waterloo, or from residence opening up rooms for the fall. As these rooms become available, students who have not yet been placed will receive their room assignment. 

This process happens every year. Please remember that the first year guarantee still applies. 

What are my chances of getting my first choice residence?

Your chances depend on your lottery number, the number of spaces available in your first choice residence, and the number of other students who also rank that residence as their first choice. 

If my grades are higher, will that increase my chances of getting the residence of my choice?

No, your grades are not considered in the residence allocation process.

Will underage students or students in the same faculty be grouped together?

Students who are significantly outside of the normal age range of first-year students will be placed in specific areas. Younger students (16 and under) will be placed in single rooms in Village 1 located near the Don's suite. Older students (22 and older) will be placed together in the same residence area. 

Students are able to choose to live with other students in their program in a Living-Learning Community. A Living-Learning Community is a small group or “cluster” of students who are enrolled in the same academic program, share classes, and living space. These are the only students who are grouped together by program of study.

Are there quiet floors or areas?

We do not specifically designate areas as quiet. We have a general residence policy based on mutual respect and the same considerations are expected in all our residences. Generally, quiet hours begin at 11 pm on weekdays and 1 am on weekends. There is a 24 hour quiet policy during final exams.

Academic streaming

What is academic streaming and how does it affect my residence preferences?

For the purposes of residence allocation, every first-year student is either a 4-stream or an 8-stream student.

Streaming is an important part of the residence allocation process as it allows us to place students together in communities that will remain together for both terms of first year - whether it's fall and winter (8-stream) or fall and spring (4-stream). 

How do I know if I'm a 4-stream or an 8-stream student?

To find out if you are a 4-stream student, see when your first work term begins.

Roommates​

I really don't want to have a roommate. What if it turns out to be a complete disaster?

Sharing a room really isn't as bad as you might think. You and your roommate will have very different schedules, so you won't always be in the room at the same time. In reality, roommate relationships usually work out well.

If you have problems with your roommate, your Don will be there to support you. Learning to live with other people is part of the learning experience in residence, so you will be expected to try to work things out with your roommate. In severe cases, room changes may be permitted, but only as a last resort. 

When can I request a roommate?

After you have filled out the Residence Community Ranking Form, if you have been placed in one of the Waterloo Residences you will have the opportunity to fill out the Preference Form. You will then have the option to request a specific roommate. 

I have some friends from home that I want to live with. Can I do that?

Yes, as long as: 

• You are the same gender 
• You are in the same academic stream (For more details on academic streams, please read the section above on Academic Streaming)

How does the allocation process work with roommates? Do we all have to be accepted to the same residence first?

No, if space is available, the program will automatically place you in the same residence. When the allocation program comes across your group, it will then try to place you in the first available space according to your preferences. 

My friends and I applied as a group of 4 as our first choice. What if there aren't any suites left to fit our group?

If there are no suites remaining, the allocation program will attempt to allocate you – as individuals – based on whatever you indicated as your second most important ranking factor (Personality Styles, or Residence Community).

Food and meal plans

Do I have to get a meal plan? 

If you are living in a traditional-style residence, you must purchase a meal plan because you do not have cooking facilities in your room and are expected to eat most of your meals in the residence cafeterias and food service outlets. 

If you are living in a suite-style residence, meal plans are optional. You may wish to purchase one if you plan on eating some of your meals in the food services outlets on campus. 

Which meal plan should I choose?

It all depends on your eating habits and how often you go home or away for the weekend. Most students will choose the "average" option. If you have money left over at the end of the year, you can carry it over to the next term. Similarly, if you run out of money you can add flex dollars to your WatCard at any time.

Check out the detailed breakdown of meal plan options.

What if I have special dietary needs?

If you have food allergies or a restricted diet for religious reasons, the residence cafeterias will probably be able to accommodate you. Vegetarian and halal food is available in both Waterloo Residence cafeterias, and the Village 1 cafeteria opens 2 hours before dawn during Ramadan.

For more info contact the Undergraduate Residence Admissions and Marketing Specialist at 519-888-4567, ext. 33705 or email housing@uwaterloo.ca

Where can I spend my meal plan allowance?

There are many Food Services outlets across campus where your meal plan dollars can be spent. Please see the map on the Food Services website for details. Your meal plan also includes flex dollars, which can be spent at a variety of other locations as well as in vending machines, laundry machines, and photocopiers across campus.

What happens if I have money left over at the end of the term?

Any money remaining on your WatCard will automatically carry forward each term for as long as you are a student at Waterloo. Any funds that carry forward (RMPA, VPMP, or Flexible Dollars) are not GST exempt. For full details please visit Food Services Q and A.

Special accommodation needs 

I require accessible accommodation - what should I do?

Visit the Special Accommodation section for full details and contact information.

What if I have special dietary needs (due to allergies or religious restrictions)? Does this mean I will be placed in a suite-style room?

Due to the diverse student body of Waterloo Residences, we are unable to accommodate residence requests for religious reasons. Most of our residences have access to a bathtub at any hour of the day, and our cafeterias can accommodate a restricted diet for religious reasons.

Room assignm​ents

If I'm not happy with my room assignment can I get my deposit back?

No, the $500 deposit is non-refundable. 

If I'm not happy with my room assignment, can I be put on a waiting list to be moved?

All residence facilities are full in the fall term; therefore, there is no waiting list for room changes. Every year we hear from students about how they love their residence community because of the people they meet and the friends they make, not the type of room they have. If, after you arrive, you're still experiencing difficulty, you should talk to your Don to see what options might be available.

What if I find someone who agrees to switch with me? Can't we just switch?

First-year students: No, you cannot switch rooms with another resident. You must give your residence community a chance before any changes will be considered.

Upper-year students: Yes, you can do a room swap as long as both residents agree to the room swap. Both residents must email the Undergraduate Residence Admissions and Marketing Specialist that they agree to this room swap, in order for the room swap to go through. 

Why did I get placed in ----- , it was my last choice?

Your first choice had been filled by the time your assigned lottery number was reached. So, you were assigned to your next choice(s) of residence with available rooms (which could be your last choice).

Although you may prefer to be in a certain residence, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed according to all of your preferences. We do have significantly more students ranking certain residences at the top, and cannot place all of them in those communities.

Why didn’t I get my friend I requested as a roommate? 

There are several reasons why this might have occurred:

• There were no available spaces left where roommates could be placed together by the time your assigned lottery number was reached.
• You are not the same gender as your requested roommate.
• You are not in the same academic stream as your requested roommate.
• The requests were not mutual (you picked someone as a roommate but they didn’t pick you).

I have a Village 1 room number starting with 0 (e.g. 003b), does that mean I'm in the basement?

Village 1 was built in a hilly area and some houses are built on the side of a hill. In these houses there are rooms on 4 floors instead of the usual 3. Because of the way the hill slopes, these lower floors are partially below ground level and partially at ground level. You will have a normal window like any other ground level room. 

Are beds and desks assigned in a double room?

Yes. If you are in a double room, your room number will include either a letter (a or b) or number (1 or 2). This indicates which bed and desk are yours. When you get to residence there will be a corresponding number or letter on your side of the room. 

I'm in an interconnecting room in Village 1 - which room is mine?

Your room number will include an "f" or a "b" - "f" is for the front room, "b" is for the back room.

Living-Learning Communities (LLC)

Is there a Living-Learning Community for my program? How do I apply? 

You will be informed in your residence information package if a LLC is available for your program. You can also find out more on our Living-Learning section.

If I join a Living-Learning Community, does that mean I will live with 50 others from my program?

No. You will be placed in a "cluster" of approximately 12 other students from your program and approximately 30 other students from a variety of other programs. It's the best of both worlds - support from those in your own program and experience from students in other programs. 

How do I sign up for a Living-Learning Community?

You will have the option to select a LLC on the Residence Community Ranking Form. If you choose to be part of a LLC you will be placed in the residence associated with that community. 

Can I get academic support if I don’t sign up for the Living-Learning Community?

Yes. If there is a LLC for your program, you will still be invited to several of the academic enrichment activities. Also, each academic enrichment activity will have an online component which you will have access to.

If I join a Living-Learning Community, does that mean I'm living where the community is located?

Yes, if you are accepted into the LLC you will be living in the residence where the community is located. For example, if you joined the Arts and Business Community, you will be placed in Ron Eydt Village.

Can I withdraw from the Living-Learning Community after I've submitted my Residence Community Ranking Form?

Yes, you can withdraw from the LLC. You must contact the Manager, Living-Learning before room assignments are given out to withdraw. After that you will already be assigned to a residence community and it will not be possible to be moved.

You should carefully consider your options before withdrawing. If you live in the LLC, you'll have a high level of support. While you can still participate in some events and access resources, you will give up some extra support if you withdraw.

What if my program doesn’t have a Living-Learning Community?

You will still have access to a variety of academic supports. The Tutoring in Residence program offers free assistance from paid tutors to all Waterloo students. Tutoring is offered for Accounting, Math (Calculus and Algebra), Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering (Programming). 

Residence life and social activities 

What’s a Don?

A Don is an upper-year student who lives and works in a specific residence area, providing leadership to approximately 50 students. He or she helps everyone to get acquainted, plans activities, assists with problems and upholds policies and rules.

All of our Dons are first-aid certified and go through intensive training in order to create a safe and comfortable community. They are familiar with the campus and have a passion for the residence experience.

Is there an additional residence fee (House Fund)?

No, it is built into the residence fees so each Don and his or her area has a certain amount of money set aside to spend on community-building activities for their residents. (NOTE this money is never used to purchase alcohol.)

What kinds of activities or socials go on in residence?

The Dons plan social and educational events on a regular basis - anything from ice cream night, trips to the movies or the local market to study skills and nutrition/how to cook seminars. These events are usually held for individual floors, but residence-wide events are held often as well. The Dons try very hard to plan things that students are interested in or express a need for. Events are also regularly held by the ResCouncil and other groups. 

What is the ResCouncil?

ResCouncil is the official representation for all students living in Waterloo Residences. All residents are invited to get involved in residence, and to come to Council meetings to propose and plan residence events. 

Are there any sports teams in residence?

Informally, yes. Within residence, many areas put together teams to participate in the ongoing Campus Rec leagues (i.e. ball hockey, volleyball, basketball) or one-time tournaments (i.e. beach volleyball, squash, winter football, tennis). At Ron Eydt Village, people sometimes get together to make the basketball court into an ice rink in the winter!

There is also a Residence Athletic Council (RAC) to organize fun athletic events and trips for the residences. Examples of past RAC events have been trips to see the Toronto Raptors, Frozen Football, and 3-on-3 basketball tournaments.

Common facilities and amenit​ies

What types of amenities do you have in the residences?

• Common lounges on floors with TV and DVD player
• Fitness room in REV
• Music rooms in V1 and REV
• Large common lounge area with big screen TV
• Pool table(s)
• Ping pong
• Foosball table(s)
• Internet café
• Front Desk where you can sign out games and movies
• Weekly grocery shuttles run in each of our suite-style residences 

Where do I do my laundry? 

There is either a central laundry facility in your building, or on your floor.

Can I bring my own furniture?

All rooms and suites are furnished and there isn't much space for extra furniture. You can bring some small items but no University furniture can be removed from your room to accommodate larger items. 

Am I allowed to cook in my room? Can I have a microwave, hot plate, or rice cooker?

No you are not allowed to cook in any residence bedroom. Automatic shut-off coffee makers or kettles and small fridges are the only appliances permitted in the traditional-style residences. 

Microwaves, kettles, grills, rice cookers and toasters are only permitted in suite-style residences that have their own cooking facilities.

What kind of housekeeping is required and/or provided?

Housekeeping of all common residence areas is provided in all residences on a regular basis. Students are expected to maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness in their rooms and in the common areas of residence. Monthly cleaning inspections by Waterloo staff take place in all suite-style residences.

What kind of security is provided in residence?

The Front Desks in V1, and REV are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Front Desks in UWP, MKV and CLV operate from 8 am to 12 midnight. All floors or houses are accessible only to the residents of that floor or house and each student has a key to his or her room and/or suite. Every residence will always have a “Duty Don” available 24 hours a day – the Duty Don will have a cell phone for any emergencies. In addition, adult Residence Life Co-ordinators (RLCs) live on campus in the "Tutor Houses" located between MKV and REV. One of the 6 RLCs is always on duty and available to respond to emergencies. 

UW Police are on duty 24/7 and can always be called for assistance. Students often use the UW Shuttle Service to get back to residence from night classes.

Where can I store my bike?

Bike storage rooms are available in MKV, REV, and V1. All residences have lots of outdoor bike racks. Be sure to bring a good lock.

Where can I work out? 

We have our own gym, right in residence at REV. All students living in Waterloo Residences are welcome to use this facility. In addition, the Front Desks at REV and V1 have a variety of sports equipment that can be signed out by any resident. Basketball courts are located outside at REV and V1, and there is a large playing field and volleyball court next to V1 . Informal pick-up games are often going on when the weather is good (and even when it's not)! UWP is located right on the Iron Horse Trail, which is great for running and biking, and is also very close to Waterloo Park.

If that's not enough for you, the Columbia Icefields (CIF) and Physical Activities Complex (PAC) are both located within walking distance from all residences.

What is ResNet? What are the limits? How fast is it? Can I download music or movies? 

ResNet is the high-speed network connection provided to each student in residence at Waterloo. The connection is always on and is provided as a tool to enhance your academic experience. Visit the technology section for more details including usage limits.

It is illegal to download and share movies and/or music files – it constitutes copyright infringement and the University does not condone this usage.

What television channels are available in the lounges and suite living rooms? Can we add more channels?

All floor/house lounges and suite living areas come with Rogers basic cable package. You can view the full list of channels on the Rogers website.

Because we have a bulk package from Rogers we cannot add any other channels. All rooms are equipped with cable outlets so you can have cable installed in your own room. You will have to pay for your cable service and arrange access from Rogers.

Are there any part-time jobs in residence?

Yes. We hire students as Residence Computer Consultants (100 in total), Front Desk assistants, Promo Team, and tour guides. If you’re interested, you should check out our Jobs and Leadership section. Food Services hires students to work in their eateries across campus. 

Fees, contract​s, and regulations 

How much does it cost to live in residence?

See our fees page for Waterloo Residences fees

What’s included in the residence fees?

Residence fees include your room (fully-furnished), all utilities, basic cable in common areas, high-speed Internet (ResNet), housekeeping services (varies by residence), residence life programming (including the Tutoring and a counselor in residence), and access to all amenities in any residence facility.

When and how do I pay the rest of my residence fees? 

After the $500 non-refundable deposit is paid, the remainder of your fees (residence, tuition, etc.) will be paid directly to Finance-Student Accounts (through your Quest account). The $500 non-refundable deposit will be applied to your fall residence fees.

What are the policies and guidelines for living in residence?

Residence Terms and Conditions

Is alcohol allowed in residence?

All students and guests in residence are required to abide by the laws of the Province of Ontario. Students and guests who are at or above the legal drinking age (19) are permitted to responsibly use alcohol in designated areas within residence.

I won't have access to the Internet this summer — can someone else submit my contract for me?

Yes. If you are unable to submit your own residence contract someone else may submit it on your behalf. This person is not responsible for any contract infringements that may occur. If someone else submits your contract for you, you will be responsible for any problems.

Moving in an​d out 

When do I move in? 

Move-in dates and times can be found in the Move-In Procedures. 

I need to move in early/late. Can I do that?

See the Move-In Procedure info for earliest/latest arrival dates

You have until 12 noon on the first day of classes to move into your room or your contract will be cancelled, unless you have filled out the Late Arrival Form. If you do not submit the form you will lose your $500 deposit.

What should I pack?

We have complete lists of items you might want to bring for suite-style and traditional-style residences. When you're deciding what to pack, consider the type of the room you were assigned. Check the photo galleries and room diagrams for your residence to see how much storage space is available.

When do I have to move out of residence?

You will be asked to leave residence within 24 hours after your last exam. If you do not have a last exam, you will be asked to move out within 24 hours of the last day of classes. 

For more information read the Move-Out Procedures. 

If I'm staying in residence for the next term, do I still have to move my stuff out?

If you are staying in your room for the following term, you do not have to move your things out when you leave. 

If you are moving to a new residence, going on co-op, or otherwise not coming back for the following term, you do need to move your things out of your room. In this case, your room and suite (if applicable) will be inspected by residence staff before you leave. 

I am an international (or out-of-province) student. Can I stay in residence over the winter break?

Last year, there was an International Students Holiday Experience program offered to all international students living in residence. This program allowed students to remain in residence over the Winter break (at an additional cost). Information regarding if this program will be offered in December 2011 will be forthcoming. The majority of international students choose to stay with Canadian family or friends that they meet in residence.

What if I want to withdraw from residence?

If you plan on withdrawing from residence before you move in, please let us know as soon as possible.

Your $500 residence deposit is non-refundable and if you withdraw from residence once you have moved into your residence room, you may be charged a $500 withdrawal fee. You should talk to your Don and your RLC before contacting Waterloo Residences. To withdraw from residence, you must submit an online Withdrawal/Cancellation Form. 

Miscellaneous

What if my residence is too noisy for studying? 

The Waterloo Residences are committed to providing a supportive academic environment as well as a fun place to make friends and hang out. There are lots of places to study both within your residence and around campus. You may choose to book out a residence study room, go to the library, or find an empty classroom on campus. In Ron Eydt Village, there are two large silent study halls that are available to all students living in residence.

If you are having problems with excessive noise in your residence, you should communicate with your neighbours and with your Don and try to resolve the problem. All residences have quiet hours during final exam periods.

Can I have friends stay over?

Yes, you are allowed to have friends visit you in residence, including guests of the opposite gender. Your guest may stay for a maximum of 48 hours and you are responsible for his/her behaviour while he/she is staying with you. If you have a roommate or suitemates, you should check with them first before inviting your guest to stay. You should also introduce your guest to your Don. The only exception to this is during orientation week. No guests will be allowed during this time. Please see the Terms and Conditions for more details about guests. 

Can I live in residence after first year?

Absolutely! Several residence options are available to upper-year students. Unlike many off-campus options, Waterloo Residences contracts are tailored to your academic stream - you only have to sign a contract for the terms you are here. We even have spaces available for students who are working locally on a co-op work term.

Which residence is the best?

Each residence has many services and experiences to offer students and no two students are completely alike. It’s more a case of which residence is best for you. Some offer more independence while others offer more convenience; some offer more social interaction, while others offer more privacy. Differences aside, all of our residences offer a strong sense of community, support for academic pursuits, full-time professional staff, and many amenities to make it feel like home.