University of Waterloo information on COVID-19

What's changed?

Last updated: April 2, 2020, 4:30 p.m.
For complete details of recent announcements and previous updates visit our Coronavirus News page.

Updates for students 

• Learn how AccessAbility Services remain available and committed to students.
• All in-person convocation ceremonies will not take place at Waterloo in June.
• Undergraduate students' class schedules and Drop/Add Period appointment times will be available in Quest on April 1.
• Important dates have been revised for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Spring Term 2020 will proceed with no in-person course activity. All classes and exams will be held online (with the exception of CLIN and PRA courses).  
• Visit our academic and co-op information page for students for further information.

Updates for instructors

• Course instructors can elect to use CR or NCR in place of numeric grades for Winter Term 2020.

• Date extended for instructors to change Spring course offerings – due to the RO on Monday, March 30, 2020 

• Spring term will  continue with  an alternative delivery system. All courses and exams, including graduate research milestones, will take place online.

• Visit our instructor information and resources page for further information.

Updates for researchers

• Support for disrupted research contracts and new COVID-19 related projects
• Researchers who have submitted requests for continuation of on-campus laboratory activities, and who are awaiting response on those requests, will receive information shortly on the outcome of the evaluation of their requests.
• Building access, as required, for those approved to continue on-campus laboratory activities, will then be arranged promptly.
• Visit our research information page for further information.

Updates for employees

• We suspended parking fees for the month of April. Moving forward we will review this decision on a month-by-month basis. 
• Until further notice, employees are instructed to work from home. However, people in roles that leaders deem are essential to the ongoing and safe operation of our campus should report to work.
• For the safety of our students and employees, most campus buildings are now locked. 
• Employees who are performing critical functions and require access to their workspace must receive approval from their department head and ensure the necessary key/fob access is available.
• Visit our employee information and resources page for further information.

Health and travel updates

• The Government of Canada requires all international travelers self-isolate for 14 days.
• Students can reach out to Health Services and employees can contact Occupational Health.
• Visit our Health and travel guidance page for further information.

New/updated FAQs

• New FAQs about tuition, ancillary fees, and financial assistance:
  • Will there be any changes to tuition for Spring Term?
  • Will there be any changes to ancillary fees for Spring Term?
  • Is there financial assistance available?
  • What are the changes to OSAP?
• Visit our frequently asked questions page for more information.

Important links

Help is available

At Waterloo, we value each other as individuals. We all belong here. Fostering our spirit of genuine care and concern is so important at a time when many people are feeling scared or nervous about the coronavirus outbreak. We must show empathy and concern for people in our community who are affected by the virus and work together to stand against racism of any kind.

We understand that many of our students have family members in areas affected by COVID-19. If you feel overwhelmed or anxious and need to talk to somebody, please contact the University’s Campus Wellness services, either Health or Counselling Services.

Please visit or call Health Services (519-884-4096), drop by the Counselling Services office in Needles Hall North, 2nd Floor or phone 519-888-4567 ext. 32655. Visit the Campus Wellness page for hours of operation and additional information. Campus Wellness services are provided at no charge in a private and confidential setting to University of Waterloo students who are currently registered or on a co-op term.