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Waterloo to build new 500-bed residence
The University of Waterloo will build a new, 500-bed residence building on its main campus with a targeted opening of fall 2026.
In collaboration with Indigenous-owned architecture firm Two Row, and alongside the Office of Indigenous Relations at the University of Waterloo, the building team is taking a design approach that prioritizes Indigenous engagement and principles.
The building will feature a community healing garden to allow for the cultivation of sacred and traditional medicine plants. It will also be home to gathering spaces equipped for smudging, a cleansing ceremony, and will offer spaces to allow for live-in Elders to meet with students.
"I'm very proud that the university is incorporating our commitment to reconciliation in the design of this new space. It's vital to actively seek out opportunities to move forward together with Indigenous communities in every step we take as a university, and the spaces where our students will live is a good and important example of how we can do that," said Vivek Goel, President, and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo. "This investment is also a key contribution to continuing to grow the Region's housing capacity, which is especially significant in light of the ongoing challenge of availability in our community and across the country."
The building will also include improved accessibility with multiple accessible room options and increased connectivity to main campus buildings through bridges and ground-level access. There will be dedicated counselling, wellness and sensory spaces, and washrooms will be available to all genders – reflecting the university's commitment to inclusiveness and well-being.
Sustainability will also be top-of-mind, with the use of recycled building materials and air source heat pumps – a low-carbon heating system. The building is being designed to be net-neutral, and the recommended location for the building on the northeast side of parking lot A creates opportunities to explore alternative energy sources, further supporting the university's net zero carbon targets.
"We know that students who live in residence, particularly during their first year of study, achieve higher rates of retention and graduation, high GPAs and a strong sense of belonging, community engagement and personal wellness," said Chris Read, Associate Provost, Students. "This is why we want to ensure that as many students as possible who want to live on campus can, and that when they do, they have thoughtful, sustainable options which prioritize their well-being."
The new residence will be purpose-built for mixed-year accommodation. This approach to campus housing, already popular in the United States, features traditional dorm-style accommodations for first-year students but also incorporates more private and independent living options for upper-year students.
Read the full story on Waterloo News
Conversations on trust in science and technology
Understanding and combating the growing spread of disinformation, often fueled by skepticism, is vital for addressing complex societal issues tied to scientific denial and resistance. Nobel Laureate Donna Strickland will discuss the significance of trust in science and technology, followed by a panel discussion with Canada Research Chair Ashley Mehlenbacher and University of Waterloo's Dean of Engineering Mary Wells, moderated by CBC Kitchener Waterloo’s Craig Norris, as part of a free community lecture series launching the TRuST scholarly network at the University of Waterloo.
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
University of Waterloo, Engineering 7 second floor event space and online
Read more and sign up for the event
You're invited to become a convocation ambassador
A message from Community Relations and Events.
Want to help grads make life-long memories and grow your UWaterloo network?
Join the growing group of convocation ambassadors who will bring this celebration to life.
Four ceremonies will be celebrated on October 20 and 21, and we need many ambassadors to make it a success.
Staff, faculty and students are encouraged to get involved, and managers are encouraged to promote this opportunity to their teams; there are many different roles and shifts available, providing new professional development opportunities and the chance to grow your network across campus.
Visit the convocation website to learn more about the roles and to sign up
Get to know campus wellness health and wellness supports
A message from Campus Wellness.
Campus Wellness is here to support student wellness in a safe, respectful and inclusive environment. There’s a range of resources and services available this Fall term to support a student's physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. We hope you’ll share these resources with the students you support where possible.
Students can call Campus Wellness (519-888-4096) during daytime hours (8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.) to book an appointment for the services listed below.
- Counselling appointments provide programming and services to help students lead a healthy and balanced life, at no charge, in a private and confidential setting
- Individual appointments provide short-term counselling to address the current mental health concerns that are impacting a student’s ability to attend to their academics
- Same-day appointments are available on Wednesdays & Thursdays for students who may not want or require ongoing counselling
- Crisis appointments - students in distress can access intake appointments every weekday to be scheduled for either an Immediate (within 24 hours) or Urgent appointment (within 3-5 days)
- Primary medical care appointments provide comprehensive health support to registered University of Waterloo students
- Student medical clinic offers healthcare visits with both male and female Physicians and Nurse Practitioners to current undergraduate and graduate students
- Family health clinic serves immediate family members of registered international students, visiting scholars, visiting researchers, visiting faculty and post-doctorates
- Covid-19/flu prevention - you can help protect yourself and others by washing your hands frequently, wearing masks when feeling unwell and by getting the flu vaccine and a booster shot for COVID-19. These vaccines will be available at your family doctor’s office, pharmacies and Campus Wellness, Health Services, so keep watching for information starting in October.
- Wellness programs allow students to engage in wellness conversations in a variety of ways and focus on providing students the strategies to take care of their overall well-being. These programs are a great way for students to incorporate activities into their schedule, to help boost their motivation and contribute to long-term success
- Mental health training opportunities support faculty and staff to develop and practice mental health literacy skills. These programs encourage discussion and reflection on mental health through an equity-focused lens. They work to enhance an individual's understanding of barriers to mental health and competency in responding to a person in distress, accessing resources and supports
If you notice a student struggling with their mental health or in distress, you can provide useful information to assist the student in getting help.
- Learn to identify and support a student in distress
- On campus contact, students can call Campus Wellness between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 519-888-4096
- After hours and emergency contacts provide resources to assist the students in getting help
Summer 2023 IST newsletter now available and other notes
"The Summer 2023 issue of the IST Newsletter is now available," says a note from Information Systems & Technology (IST). "In this issue we welcome our new CIO Greg Smith, provide information on two new attacks designed to deceive recipients, talk Drupal, and share details of new sustainability projects, and initiatives to prepare for Fall 2023."
"Please join the Department of Economics faculty, students and alumni for our 2023 Faculty of Arts Distinguished Lecture in Economics on September 15," a note from the Economics department reads. "Rohini Pande, Yale University, will present her recent research linking the climate emergency to economic inequality in her lecture entitled “Inequality, externalities, and climate.” We look forward to seeing you there!"