Wednesday, September 23, 2026

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• Welcoming the newest Warriors
• Policy 19 – Student Academic Disability Accommodations has been approved

• Postdoc resources for staff and faculty

• Build confidence to support others with suicide prevention training

Welcoming the newest Warriors

A message from the Student Success Office.

Beginning in early September, more than 5000 new Warriors moved into Campus Housing, marking the beginning of a busy few weeks on campus. Nearly 7000 undergraduate and graduate students participated in Orientation, supported by over 750 student leaders and 320 staff and faculty volunteers who helped bring the experience to life. 

From Move-in through Orientation, students explored campus, met their peers, learned about life at Waterloo and took part in over 145 events and activities designed to help them get started. Whether attending a large campus celebration, connecting with other students or learning where to find support, there were many ways for students to begin making Waterloo their own. 

With classes now underway, the next chapter of the student experience begins. The relationships, knowledge and connections developed during these first few weeks will continue to grow as the newest Warriors settle into their programs, get involved on campus, and find their place in the Waterloo community. 

Policy 19 – Student Academic Disability Accommodations has been approved

A message from Teaching Support and Innovation.

As part of the University’s initiative to foster an equitable, accessible and inclusive learning and teaching environment, Policy 19 – Student Academic Disability Accommodations went into effect on April 14, 2026. Thank you to all University community members that contributed to the development of this policy.  

This policy aims to provide a framework for the accommodation of students with disabilities to support them in accessing and fully participating in their academic experiences. It outlines the roles and responsibilities shared by University faculty, staff, and academic units to proactively get students in need in touch with the appropriate supports, such as AccessAbility Services, which coordinates the establishment and facilitation of academic accommodation plans across the campus. 

The policy also reflects the University’s responsibilities under the Ontario Human Rights Code and reinforces our commitment to removing barriers to learning and participation by providing meaningful academic accommodation. 

The University community is encouraged to review and familiarize themselves with the policy.  

For more information, please visit the Policy 19 webpage.  

To get in touch with AccessAbility Services or apply for academic accommodations, please visit the AccessAbility Services webpage or email access@uwaterloo.ca.

Postdoc resources for staff and faculty

Did you know that Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) hosts a Confluence resource site and e-news for staff and faculty on important information related to postdoctoral scholars?

Access to the postdoc resource site on Confluence can be requested by any staff or faculty member who hires, appoints and/or supports postdoctoral scholars at the University of Waterloo. Examples of valuable information include employment agreement templates, salary and benefits guidance, recruitment processes, and more. Don’t have access but in a role that supports postdocs? Fill out the access request form.

If you interact with postdocs as part of your position at Waterloo, you are also encouraged to keep an eye out for our Postdoctoral affairs staff e-news, which goes out once near the beginning of each term and includes important updates and events coming up. Staff who have access to the postdoc resource site on Confluence are automatically subscribed. If you would like to be added to the e-news list only, please contact the postdoc team at postdocs@uwaterloo.ca.

Build confidence to support others with suicide prevention training

A message from Campus Wellness.

You never know when a conversation could make a difference. LivingWorks safeTALK is a half-day, in-person suicide awareness training that equips participants with the skills and confidence to recognize when someone may be struggling, engage in supportive conversations, and connect them to appropriate support.

This training is ideal for students and employees who want to contribute to a campus culture that prioritizes mental health, well-being, and suicide safety. No previous experience is required.

Learning outcomes:

• Build skills for having caring and straightforward conversations about suicide
• Increase your confidence in helping others access care and support services
• Consider how personal beliefs and values can affect the way you provide support

Upcoming dates and times:

• Wednesday, October 14, 2026 – 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (EDT) | Register for safeTalk
• Wednesday, November 25, 2026 - 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (EDT) | Register for safeTalk

Other ways to support students:

Whether or not you attend safeTALK, there are many ways to support student mental health and well-being by helping students access available resources and services they may not be aware of:

Counselling Services and Primary Care: Students can access trusted and confidential services to support their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Specific requests for counsellors or physicians with lived experience or identities can be made during intake, and specialists will try to match care.

Support a sense of belonging on campus. Browse Wellness Programs and Student Groups and Connection Collective and share with your student network. These programs help students build community and support various student identities and needs of the diverse student population.

Explore the Health and Well-being page for a wide range of resources and services that support a student's mental, physical and overall health.

Together, we can help create a campus community where students feel supported, and connected to the help they need when they need it most.