This update is provided for archival purposes only.

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.

Sharing more details on undergrad plans for fall 2021

Monday, May 17, 2021

This message was originally sent to current undergraduate students by Feridun, Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor.

  • Faculties have completed initial planning for undergraduate courses for fall  
  • You can now view every faculty’s current plan for undergraduate plans online 

Our spring term is now well underway and today we can let you know what each faculty is planning for September as we begin a transition back to more in person experiences.

Faculties have planned to deliver much more in-person learning than we have done at any point in the pandemic to date. We have published plans for undergraduate courses on the COVID-19 information website. It is our intention to keep expanding in-person experiences throughout this academic year, as public health conditions allow.

In developing these plans, these principles have guided our planning: 

  • We have planned to offer as many in-person classes as possible with any required physical distancing and gathering-size restrictions to maintain safety.

  • Classrooms will be scheduled at 50 per cent of normal room capacity based on our current expectations of the public health guidelines for the fall.

  • We will work to ensure that students who are unable to come to campus to learn in the fall have options to progress toward completion of their program. Academic advisors will be available to help students consider the options available to them

  • Fall-term courses will finish the way they start. If a course starts online, it will remain online until the end of term and will not transition to in-person. If a course starts in person, it will remain in person unless public health requirements dictate a move to online.

  • In addition to on-campus academic experiences, we will continue to offer in-person activities and support including campus housing, access to The Centre, Health Services, Counselling Services, student clubs, and recreational activities. 

Above all, we are guided by the need to protect your health and wellbeing. Whatever the conditions in September, we will be ready to adapt these plans to the public health requirements of the moment.

Fall 2021 course registration 

Fall course registration dates are now available. Here are some key dates you need to know: 

  • June 1:  Finalized fall course offerings will be published on the  Course Selection Offerings List in advance of the respective Course Selection Periods. This will include whether the course is scheduled to be in-person or online. 
  • June 9-22:  Course Selection Period for returning students. 
  • July 28:  Fall term schedules viewable in Quest;  Schedule of Classes  updated. 
  • August 4-5:  Drop/Add Period Appointments for returning students. 
  • August 6:  Drop/Add Period (open enrolment) for all students begins. 

You can expect to hear more by email in early June to help you prepare for the Fall. Meanwhile, please continue to check in on the COVID-19 information website for more information in the coming weeks. If you have further questions, please email coronavirus@uwaterloo.ca or discuss with your supervisor.