Questions?
Please email coronavirus@uwaterloo.ca.
Public Health guidance and University of Waterloo operations may have changed. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our COVID-19 frequently asked questions.
This message was originally sent to the University community by Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor.
I am writing to provide an important update regarding Waterloo’s response to COVID-19. These are unprecedented times and we know that many people are dealing with increased stress and uncertainty.
We are introducing measures that we believe help protect the safety of our students, employees and our community. We also want to make sure that we ensure students get the best outcomes from their hard work so far this term.
We will use this pause in course activity to allow instructors to plan alternative ways of delivering learning – including ways of measuring achievement instead of in-person final exams.
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 Influenza Absence Declaration in the Personal Information section of Quest.
Planned research milestones for graduate students such as comprehensive exams and PhD defences may continue as planned. Students should contact their supervisor or associate dean, graduate studies to discuss any changes.
We are continuing to engage with students enrolled in co-op programs and their employers to help them manage through the remainder of the term. Students in other work placements can reach out to their academic supervisor if they have any concerns.
We will maintain business and administrative operations during this period of uncertainty. Office buildings will remain open. A reminder: those who are sick should stay home seek the advice of a health professional.
All residences remain open and operational.
Libraries, food services, health and wellness centres, athletics and recreation facilities and other public spaces on all campuses will remain open. We recommend you use social distancing and proper hygiene as a preventive measure.
We have enhanced cleaning protocols on campus, including increased decontamination of lecture halls and disinfection of high-touch surfaces.
We have not changed the revised travel and event instructions that we issued on March 12.
This situation is extremely challenging and I know many people across our campus are working to help reduce uncertainty. Please know that we will constantly monitor the situation and respond. There are measures we can all take to reduce the spread of the virus and work together to try to protect our community.
We are keeping the University’s COVID-19 website up to date with information. We’ve posted FAQs and other important information, updated in real time.
If you have questions or concerns about coronavirus and Waterloo, please email coronavirus@uwaterloo.ca and our team will help find the right campus contact.
Please email coronavirus@uwaterloo.ca.
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.