Incoming First-Years & Transfers

Campus Housing offers direct on-campus housing at the University of Waterloo with a choice of six different residences; three buildings that offer traditional-style dorms (Village 1, Ron Eydt Village, and Claudette Millar Hall) and three buildings that offer suite-style apartment living (Mackenzie King Village, UW Place, and Columbia Lake Village South). Students in their first year are placed together according to their academic streaming and are typically separate from upper-year students. Strong communities are built with the assistance of Dons on each floor. Meals plans are optional depending on the type of community (traditional or suite-style). Meal plans, run by UW Food Services, offer a wide range of dietary options across campus. Meal plan money left over at the end of the year is carried over to the next term. Similarly, if money runs out, additional flex dollars may be added at any time. When you join Campus Housing, you have access to the eateries, amenities and study spaces of all the other Campus Housing residences.  There is so much opportunity to find the perfect study space, the best snack, and the ideal supports and services.  

The University College Residences (St. Jerome's University, Renison University College, United College and Conrad Grebel University College*) are like mini-universities within the larger UWaterloo community. They are located on-campus and offer courses within the Waterloo faculties. In the University Colleges, students are placed together through various methods. Residents living at any of the University Colleges are Waterloo students from across all programs.  Meal plans are included in the price and are provided by the residence's on-site cafeteria (but not flexible across other eateries). There is no declining balance meaning you won't run out of money on your food plan.

*Please note: Conrad Grebel is not part of the 100% Residence Guarantee

We have a place for all students. We want two-spirit, trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming students to feel welcome and safe living in our residences. First-year students are placed in residence communities based on your reported gender on your OUAC application.

All individual first-year rooms and apartments are single gender; however, each floor or house may be single or mixed gender.If you indicated an unspecified gender, we will reach out to you in May or June to discuss our residence room types, building layouts, and roommate options and work with you to find a space where you feel most safe and at home. We will never ask you to specify your gender.

We encourage any students with questions or concerns about the residence placement process to reach out to us at housing@uwaterloo.ca.

HOW CAN I SELECT MORE THAN ONE ROOMMATE?

We understand you may have a group of friends you want to live with as you begin your journey together as Warriors. While we wish we could offer the option to select more than one roommate, our system is set up to provide you with the opportunity to submit one roommate request. We are dedicated to providing equal opportunity to all students who have applied to residence to have a chance to live in any of our residence types.

IF I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT MY PLACEMENT WITHIN CAMPUS HOUSING, WHO DO I CONTACT?

If you have any questions about your residence placement, please reach out to us at housing@uwaterloo.ca

WE ARE A GROUP OF 3 – HOW CAN WE PLACED IN A SUITE TOGETHER?

Unfortunately, our system only allows roommate pairs. Your group of 3 will need to discuss whether to pair off or not to select a roommate. We understand living with someone you know will ease some anxiety with your transition to University; however, residence is a highly social environment. We encourage you to take this opportunity to meet new people. All of our residences offer a great experience, and even if you do not all live together, you can visit each other and get to know the other residences! If you have any concerns once you’ve moved into residence, you can work with a Residence Life Don, an upper-year student living in residence, to support you. 

WE ARE A GROUP OF 4 – HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE WE ALL END UP TOGETHER?

The Campus Housing Preference Form is designed for us to get to know you better. We understand that the 4 of you may want to live together. We recommend that the 4 of you pair off and accept each other as pairs of two, and all select the same residence as your top choice. While this does not guarantee the 4 of you will end up together, you have a higher chance of living with at least one of your friends. As a reminder, while your preferences are taken into consideration, we cannot guarantee you will be placed in your top choice of residence or with your selected roommate.

CAN I SELECT A ROOMMATE WITH A DIFFERENT REPORTED GENDER?

No, you and your requested roommate must have the same reported gender. If you have listed "U" gender on your profile, you will not be able to make a roommate group with others that are "M'' or "F". If this is a mistake, please complete the Gender Update Form and contact the Registrar’s Office to have your reported gender changed.

MY OLDER SIBLING WAS ABLE TO SELECT MORE THAN ONE ROOMMATE WHEN THEY LIVED IN CAMPUS HOUSING

We understand you may have heard from older siblings or alumni that they were able to select or specifically request multiple people as roommates. Our system changed a few years ago, and you are now only able to select one roommate.

SOMEONE TOLD ME THAT IF I CALL OR EMAIL IN, AN EXCEPTION CAN BE MADE, AND I CAN SELECT MORE THAN ONE ROOMMATE

No – exceptions cannot be made. Our system is set up to only allow one roommate selection. If you call or email, we’re happy to answer any questions you have; however, we are unable to make exceptions and allow you to pick more than one roommate.

MY FRIEND AND I ARE IN DIFFERENT STUDY TERMS – CAN WE BE ROOMMATES?

No, if you and your friend are in different study terms, you will be unable to select each other as roommates. Learn more about the compatibility of streams and sequences. 

I AM IN AN LLC (LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY), WHY CAN’T I LIVE WITH MY FRIEND WHO IS NOT PART OF AN LLC?

As part of the LLC, you are unable to select your roommate – your floor will consist of many students who are in the same program and faculty as you. If you have any questions about the Living Learning Communities, please email living.learning@uwaterloo.ca 

I MET THE FIRST-YEAR GUARANTEE DEADLINE BUT MY FRIEND APPLIED THROUGH THE VACANCY APPLICATION

Unfortunately, since your friend missed the First-Year Guarantee deadline, an assignment in residence is not guaranteed. Your friend will receive communications throughout the summer on spaces available; however, should you be placed in a double room, you will be placed with someone who has also completed the First-Year Guarantee Application by the deadline.

I DID NOT RECEIVE MY ROOM ASSIGNMENT OFFER. CAN YOU RE-SEND?

Your room assignment offer was sent to your @uwaterloo.ca email address. If you have not done so already, please set up your Waterloo email as soon as possible following these instructions: https://uwaterloo.ca/email

I AM UNHAPPY WITH MY ROOM ASSIGNMENT. CAN YOU MOVE ME TO SOMEWHERE ELSE

Unfortunately, now that room assignments have gone out, we are unable to make any changes to your placement based on preferences. Asking for a room assignment change is asking us to move someone out of their room, as all rooms have been booked. We understand this may not be the news you were hoping for however we hope you can still have a positive experience regardless of your residence assignment! Once you’ve moved in, if you’re having trouble adjusting, we have supports in place (including your don on your floor, or Residence Life Coordinators) to help you with the transition into your new home. After you have moved in, please reach out to our Residence Life team for support. Hopefully with the help of our team, you can be able to still enjoy the residence you’ve been placed in!

I DID NOT GET PLACED WITH THE ROOMMATE I REQUESTED. CAN WE BE ROOMMATES?

Unfortunately, now that room assignments have gone out, we are unable to make any changes to your assignment. We understand the benefits of living with a roommate (especially someone you know!), however residence is a very social environment, so you will have lots of opportunities to meet new people as you start your university journey. If you do have any concerns once you’ve moved into residence, you can work with a Residence Life Don, who is an upper year student that lives in residence to support you.

I CANNOT AFFORD THE MEAL PLAN AND DO NOT WANT TO PURCHASE IT. CAN THIS BE REMOVED FROM MY FEES?

Campus Housing bases your meal plan on your Campus Housing Preference Form and cannot make any adjustments. If you would like to change your meal plan, please visit WatCard Frequently Asked Questions for details and deadlines. If you are placed in a traditional style residence, a meal plan is mandatory as you do not have a kitchen in your room to cook your own meals.

I AM NOT COMFORTABLE SHARING A ROOM AND NEED TO HAVE A SINGLE ROOM. CAN YOU MOVE ME TO A SINGLE ROOM?

Unfortunately, now that room assignments have gone out, we are unable to make any changes to your placement. Asking for a room assignment change is asking us to move someone out of their room, as all rooms have been assigned. We understand living with someone you have never met before can be daunting, however we hope you will give your roommate a chance. Living in residence is all about meeting new people and having new experiences. With a roommate, you have someone to share a meal with and explore campus as you familiarize yourself with your new home. If you’re having trouble adjusting, we have supports in place (including your don on your floor, or Residence Life Coordinators) to help you with the transition into your new home.

IS THERE A WAITLIST FOR STUDENTS THAT DON’T LIKE THEIR ROOM ASSIGNMENT?

We do not have a waitlist to swap students into specific rooms styles that they are interested in if they do not like their initial room placement. We recommend you accept your contract before it expires, however if you are still worried about your room placement, please let us know of your specific concerns and we would be happy to discuss them with you to get you more excited about your residence experience!

I WANT TO DECLINE MY OFFER.

We understand any concerns or hesitations you may have about your room assignment.

If you have been sent a residence contract and no longer would like to live with us, simply decline your contract offer. If you have not accepted your offer and decline, you will not be financially responsible. If you have accepted your contract and decide you would now like to cancel, please be mindful of our cancellation policy. Your $500 deposit remains non-refundable. In addition, you will see a $500 administrative fee applied to your Quest financial account. The administrative fee is applied to your account to offset your $500 deposit credit, to ensure Campus Housing retains the non-refundable deposit. For more information, please see our withdrawals and cancellations page.