We understand that moving into residence can be both exciting and overwhelming. This guide will help you understand how to arrive and settle into your new home on campus.
Move-in days and important events
Move-in weekend
Fall 2025 move-in happens from Thursday August 28 to Sunday August 31, and you are required to book a 30-minute move-in time slot, which are spread out throughout the move-in period. You will have 30 minutes to pick up your keys and unload your vehicle, but you have as much time as you need to move in all your belongings! There will be volunteer support to help you.
Important events
Orientation check-in begins on Saturday, August 30 in the Student Life Centre (SLC) Great Hall. Check Portal for your event schedule in late August.
Residence community meetings start on Sunday, August 31 - join to get to know your Don and floormates and learn what to expect over the next few weeks.
Check-in, parking, and maps
Check-in
Once you arrive, head to your residence’s key pick-up location (identified on your move-in map) while your vehicle proceeds to the unloading zone. At the front desk, share your UWaterloo student ID number and show your government-issued photo identification (ID) to pick up your room key.
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Parking
Unload your vehicle at your residence’s unloading zone; however, do not leave your vehicle there unattended. As soon as the vehicle is unloaded, the driver can head to our free parking lots where they can leave their car for as long as it takes for you to finish moving.
Due to the high volume of traffic in unloading zones, vehicles found obstructing move-in traffic flow or parked in emergency/fire routes will be ticketed or towed.
Columbia Lake Village
You can drive up, pick up your keys from the key pick-up tent and you will be directed to the unloading zone for your townhouse. The parking lot will have spots available for you to park.
The Villages (Ron Eydt Village, Village 1, Mackenzie King Village)
You will drive to the appropriate unloading zone. Your move-in companions will remove items from the car while you, the student, will walk to the appropriate front desk to pick-up your keys. Cars will not be allowed to park in the unloading zones and will be directed to Lot X for free parking once all belongings are unloaded.
Village 1
Mackenzie King Village
Ron Eydt Village
UW Place and Claudette Millar Hall (UWP and CMH)
Enter through the Seagram entrance of UW Place, turn left, and stop just before reaching CMH. While you are getting your keys, your driver will head to the unloading zone and you can meet them there once you have your keys. Cars will not be allowed to park in the unloading zones and will be directed to Lot A or Lot C for free parking once all belongings are out of the car.
Minota Hagey
Minota Hagey does not have a front desk so you will drive to the unloading zone for Village 1. Leave your belongings in your car while the student goes to pick up your keys from the Village 1 front desk. Proceed to Minota Hagey to unload your belongings.
What to pack
You may be wondering what to bring (and what not to bring!) to your traditional- or suite-style residence. The website for each residence lists common dimensions under "Room Details and Floorplans". Below are some examples of what to pack and what not to pack:
What to bring (all residences):
- Government-issued or university-issued photo ID – this is the most important thing. We can’t let you into your room without seeing photo ID.
- School supplies
- Appliances and electronics
- Clothing
- Things to stay clean (toiletries, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies)
- Bedding
What to bring if you live in a suite/apartment:
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Dishes, including cutlery, knives, and utensils
- Pots and pans
- Cleaning supplies (garbage bags, all-surface cleaner)
- Toilet paper
- Reusable containers with lids
It's a good idea to talk to your suitemates first and decide who can bring what. You don't want to end up with 2 televisions and 4 microwaves!
What not to bring:
- Bottled water: there are water refill stations in every residence building, so help avoid unnecessary plastic waste on campus.
- Candles or incense
- Your own furniture (University-provided furniture cannot be removed from the room; you can bring a small table or desk chair only)
- Your own mattress (unless authorized through the accessibility process)
- Air conditioner
Forgot something? Shop dorm essentials plus school and organization supplies in W Store located in South Campus Hall or online at wstore.ca
Tips for a sustainable move-in
If purchasing items, buy them at home and pack them into reusable bins or bring them unboxed. This will also help you avoid the long lines and empty shelves at the big box stores during move-in weekend.
Storing reusable bins in your dorm room also makes moving out a breeze!
Check out our upcycle event during move-in, running in the UWP Grand Commons on Thursday, August 28 to Sunday, August 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., where we give away items (for free!) that were donated or recovered from previous terms' move out, while supplies last.
Learn about waste sorting on campus and in residence. We have five waste streams to help divert as much waste as possible from the landfill:
- Recycling (e.g., cans, bottles, milk cartons/juice boxes, coffee lids)
- Paper (e.g., paper shopping/take-out bags, coffee cups)
- Organics (e.g., all food scraps, compostable containers)
- Cardboard (e.g., pizza boxes, tissue/cereal boxes)
- Garbage (e.g., plastic straws, plastic bags, chip bags, styrofoam)
We also have e-waste and battery disposal in residence.
- Figure out how to get around campus and the city sustainably: from rentable e-scooters, bringing a bike from home, and using your WatCard as a local transit pass, there are lots of ways to get around.
- Curious about the sustainability features on campus? Check the Campus Sustainability Map for water bottle refill stations, EV charging stations, green spaces, and e-waste or battery drop-off locations.
- Passionate about sustainability? Get involved with the Green Residence Ambassadors to build leadership skills and experience, support sustainable behaviours across the residence community, and provide feedback to the University on housing sustainability.
What to eat
Campus Housing meal plans are offered by Food Services. Cafeterias are in Claudette Millar Hall (CMH), Ron Eydt Village (REV), and Village 1 (V1).
In addition to eating in any of the 3 residence cafeterias, there are 25+ Food Services locations around campus where you can use your meal plan, including Tim Horton’s, Starbucks, Subway, and more!
Move-in weekend cafeteria operating times:
- The CMH and V1 cafeterias will open on Thursday, August 28 at 11 a.m.
- The REV cafeteria will open on Saturday, August 30 at 9 a.m. If you move in before then, the V1 cafeteria is your closest option for food until the REV cafeteria opens.
Visit the Food Services locations and hours website for more information about on-campus food options and meal plans.
Do you have concerns about how your meal plan can accommodate your dietary restrictions? Reach out to our Registered Dietitian at foodserv@uwaterloo.ca for advice.
We offer an eco-container and eco-mug program that encourages sustainable dining on the go. Bring your own reusable mug to the cafeteria to receive a discount on your hot coffee or tea. Learn more about these eco-friendly food programs.
Our cafeterias offer many nutritious, plant-based options so choosing vegetarian and vegan options more often are also a great way to eat sustainably.
Resources and key contacts
Campus Housing support before you’ve moved in:
- Move-in questions: movein@uwaterloo.ca
- Campus Housing Office: housing@uwaterloo.ca, 519-888-4567, ext. 42679
- IT Support: helpdesk@uwaterloo.ca, 519-888-4567, ext. 44357
- Food Services/meal plans: foodserv@uwaterloo.ca
Campus Housing support after you’ve moved in:
- Your residence’s front desk (click for hours and locations) is a key resource for any issues after move-in if you aren’t sure who to contact.
- Maintenance issues:
- Columbia Lake Village North: clvmaint@uwaterloo.ca
- Columbia Lake Village South: clvsouth@uwaterloo.ca
- Claudette Millar Hall / UW Place: uwpmaint@uwaterloo.ca
- Mackenzie King Village: mkvmaint@uwaterloo.ca
- Ron Eydt Village: revmaint@uwaterloo.ca
- Village 1 and Minota Hagey: v1maint@uwaterloo.ca
- Campus Housing Office: housing@uwaterloo.ca, 519-888-4567, ext. 42679
- IT Support: helpdesk@uwaterloo.ca, 519-888-4567, ext. 44357
- Food Services/meal plans: foodserv@uwaterloo.ca
Campus resources:
- Student health and well-being, including Counselling Services and Primary Care Appointments
- WatCard Office
- The Centre – your one-stop shop for questions about admissions, financial aid, OSAP, official documents, payments, course enrolment, and more.
- Welcome Warriors - provides information about Waterloo Ready and Orientation
- International Experience Centre - resources and supports for international students
- Student Success Office – provides learning supports and leadership opportunities
Follow Campus Housing (@UWHousing) and UWaterloo Life (@UWaterlooLife) on Instagram to stay up to date with everything you need to know as we get closer and closer to the fall term.
Move-in checklist
- Book your move-in time slot through your Welcome Home page (available to book starting August 5)
- Have your government-issued photo-ID, student ID number, and room/building assignment ready to check in efficiently on arrival.
- Research what you need to bring after coordinating with your new roommates. Check out our packing list.
- Make sure you have personal property/content insurance (you may have existing coverage through a family member’s policy).
- Apply for your WatCard (student ID card) online and pick it up from the Centre in Needles Hall after allowing for one business day processing time.
- The Centre in Needles Hall will be open during move-in from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Thursday, August 28 to Sunday, August 31 and closed on Monday, September 1.
- Complete your Residence ExperiencePre-Arrival module on LEARN.
- Follow @UWHousing and @UWaterlooLife on Instagram to stay up-to-date on what's happening in residence and around campus.
- Don’t forget your government-issued photo-ID! It is the single most important thing you need to get access to your room.
- Finish packing and head to campus!
We're excited to have you join the Campus Housing community! Get ready for an amazing year ahead filled with new experiences, learning and opportunities.
Welcome home Warriors!
