Academics

Please check back here regularly for updates on academics at the University of Waterloo. For managing classrooms and teaching spaces, visit the information for instructors page.

Accommodations

Undergraduate students can find details on normal academic regulations and accommodations on the University’s academic calendar. For graduate students, you can file a petition if you had or have a unique or extenuating circumstance. Visit the Petition process for graduate students for more details.

Please keep in mind that our rules for accommodations for justified absence from class and/or from assessments are in place to support student success and mitigate the effects of extenuating circumstances on their academic progress. These accommodations remain in place for alternative course delivery.

Illnesses

We have made the University of Waterloo Verification of Illness form for students a self-declaration, which means students do not need a doctor’s note for accommodation if they become ill. Students can find the Self declaration of illness or isolation form in the Personal Information section of Quest.

AccessAbility Services

Students are encouraged to register with AccessAbility Services if they are experiencing long-term impacts from a COVID diagnosis, if they are immunocompromised, and/or if they have a vaccine accommodation and require ‘wrap-around’ accommodations.

Other accommodations due to COVID-19

If you are delayed from returning to class because of COVID-19, please communicate with your instructors and advisors as soon as possible about your absence.
For extenuating circumstances or if you have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 which has affected your academic record, you may wish to discuss with your academic advisor whether to submit a petition for exception to academic regulations in line with Policy 70.

Additional information for Graduate students

Employment as a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Research Assistant (RA)

As of May 1, 2022, the university has suspended the requirement to provide valid proof of vaccination (or an approved accommodation) as a condition of employment as either a Teaching Assistant (TA) or Research Assistant (RA). The university continues to monitor any changes to public health conditions, and in the event that proof of vaccination is reinstated, all students employed by the university must either keep their vaccination documentation up to date, or be ready to share this documentation on very short notice.
If you are scheduled to be a Teaching Assistant (TA) in the spring 2022 term, speak to the instructor of the course to determine a plan for the start of term and develop a strategy on how you can support the delivery of the course at the beginning of term. Questions to consider include how to address illness within the class, expectations if you are ill, options around hybrid or remote engagement if needed.
As with all TA appointments, you are strongly encouraged to talk with the course instructor about the expectations for the term, and how your TA hours will be allocated. Students and instructors are reminded that best practice is to formalize these expectations through agreement forms.
During the term, check-in with the instructor and discuss the progression of the TA position with respect to the hours assigned for this position and adapt your responsibilities to ensure your actual commitments match the support you receive.

Online instruction

Begin to coordinate with the instructor to understand the planned approach for delivering the course, particularly what technology the instructor intends to use.
Understand from your instructor how students enrolled in the course will have their academic performances evaluated – through assignments, quizzes, exams, projects, etc. – and how those elements will be marked.
Recognize that students who are enrolled in your course may be participating from various parts of the world, in different time zones, and potentially with limited access to technology. You should consider with your instructor how you can support students’ learning given these challenges.
Visit the Keep Learning website for resources and support.