Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between Waterloo Residences and the University College Residences?

Waterloo Residences offers direct on-campus housing at the University of Waterloo with a choice of five different communities; two buildings that offer traditional-style dorms and three buildings that offer suite-style apartment living. First-year students are placed together according to their academic streaming and are 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

The University College Residences are like mini-universities within the larger UWaterloo community. They are located on-campus and offer courses within the Waterloo faculties. In the colleges, students are placed together through various methods. Residents living at the colleges are Waterloo students from across all programs. In the colleges, 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.

Which buildings are part of Waterloo Residences?

First-year Waterloo Residences communities are:

• Village 1 (V1)
• Ron Eydt Village (REV)
• UW Place (UWP)
• Claudette Millar Hall (CMH)
• Mackenzie King Village (MKV)
• Columbia Lake Village (CLV)

Who are the University Colleges?

The first-year University College Residences are:

• Renison University College

• St. Jerome's University

• St. Paul's University College

• Conrad Grebel University College (Note: Conrad Grebel is not part of the 100% Residence Guarantee)

Which residence is closest to my faculty?

Remember that you can have classes in any building, not just those associated with your faculty - so it's hard to say!

How many students live on a floor or in a house? 

This number varies across residence communities but usually somewhere between 40 - 60 students in a designated area (floor/house) with a Don (an upper-year student supervisor) assigned to each floor/house.

Do men and women share rooms/bathrooms?

All individual first-year rooms and apartments are single gender, however, each floor or house may be single or mixed gender. Washrooms are always single gender.

What about safety at Waterloo Residences?

Staff at the Department of Housing and Residences take the safety of students living in residence very seriously. All facilities have been designed for safety and security - buildings, houses, and floors are locked and students must have a key to get in. All floors or houses are accessible only to the residents of that floor or house and each student has a key to his or her room and/or suite. Every residence also has a "Duty Don", available 8 p.m. - 8 a.m. daily, with a cell phone for any emergencies. Most Front Desks are open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

In addition, adult Residence Life Co-ordinators (RLCs) live on campus in the "Tutor Houses" located between MKV and REV. One of the 5 RLCs is always on duty and available to respond to emergencies. UW Police are on duty 24/7 and can always be called for assistance. Students often use the UW Shuttle Service to get back to residence from night classes. 

Students are encouraged to practice basic security measures, including locking their door when they are not at home or when they're asleep and not holding exterior doors open for non-residents. Learn more about residence safety.

Can I live in residence after first year?

Absolutely! Waterloo Residences reserves spaces for upper-year students each term. Upper-years are also placed into their own communities, not mixed with first-year residents. You can still request roommates and unlike first-years, upper-years may also choose to live in mixed gender apartments. We offer contracts tailored to academic streams - you only have to sign a contract for the terms you are here. We even have spaces available for students who are working locally on a co-op work term.

May I come and visit Waterloo Residences?

Yes! Residence tours are offered regularly. We suggest visiting the residences when there are students living in them; it's hard to get a good impression of what a residence is really like otherwise.

How much does it cost to live in residence?

Please see our Waterloo Residences fees page - listed prices include all utilities, services, and taxes.

What is included in my residence fee?

Living in residence means all-inclusive living - no worries during your time with us! You also won't have to worry about signing a lease, landlords, or subletting your room while you're away from school.

Residence fees include:

• a fully-furnished room
• all utilities
• 24-hour security and Front Desk assistance
• high-speed, unlimited Internet (ResNet) in your room
• cable TV in common areas
• on-site laundry
• cafeterias in the traditional dorms
• residence life programming (including tutoring and a counselor in residence)
• on-call maintenance
• housekeeping services (varies by residence)
• access to all amenities in any of our residence facilities - gyms, music rooms, etc.

When and how do I pay my residence fees?

To reserve a room at Waterloo Residences, we require a $500 (non-refundable) deposit which will later be deducted from your final fees owing. Once you have accepted your residence contract, the remainder of your fees will be paid directly to Finance-Student Accounts (through your Quest account).

What are the policies and guidelines for living in residence?

Please see our Contract terms and conditions page.

Is alcohol allowed in residence?

All students and guests in residence are required to abide by the laws of the Province of Ontario. Students and guests who are at or above the legal drinking age (19) are permitted to responsibly use alcohol in designated areas within residence.

I won't have access to the Internet this summer — Can someone else submit my contract for me?

Yes. If you are unable to submit your own residence contract someone else may submit it on your behalf. This person is not responsible for any contract infringements that may occur. If someone else submits your contract for you, you will be responsible for any problems.

Do I have to get a meal plan?

If you are living in a traditional-style residence, you must purchase a meal plan for every term you are living in residence. You will not have cooking facilities in your room and are expected to eat most of your meals in the residence cafeterias and food service outlets. 

If you are living in a suite-style residence, meal plans are optional. You may wish to purchase one if you plan on eating some of your meals in the food services outlets on campus. 

Which meal plan should I choose?

It all depends on your eating habits and how often you go home or away for the weekend. Most students will choose the "average" option. If you have money left over at the end of the year, you can carry it over to the next term. Similarly, if you run out of money you can add flex dollars to your WatCard at any time.

What if I have special dietary needs?

If you have food allergies or a restricted diet for religious reasons, the residence cafeterias will probably be able to accommodate you. Vegetarian and halal food is available in both Waterloo Residence cafeterias, and the Village 1 cafeteria opens 2 hours before dawn during Ramadan. For more information contact UW Food Services.

Where can I spend my meal plan allowance?

There are many UW Food Services outlets across campus where your meal plan dollars can be spent. Please see the map of Food Services for details. Your meal plan also includes flex dollars, which can be spent at a variety of other locations as well as in vending machines, laundry machines, and photocopiers across campus.

What happens if I have money left over at the end of the term?

Any money remaining on your WatCard will automatically carry forward each term for as long as you are a student at Waterloo. Any funds that carry forward (RMPA, VPMP, or Flexible Dollars) are not GST exempt. For full details please visit UW Food Services.

Is there a Living-Learning Community for my program — How do I apply?

You will be informed in your residence information package if a LLC is available for your program. You can also find out more on our Living-Learning section.

If I join a Living-Learning Community — Does that mean I will live with 50 others from my program?

No. You will be placed in a "cluster" of approximately 14 other students from your program and approximately 30 other students from a variety of other programs. It's the best of both worlds - support from those in your own program and experience from students in other programs.

How do I sign up for a Living-Learning Community?

You will have the option to select a LLC on the Residence Community Ranking Form. If you choose to be part of a LLC you will be placed in the residence associated with that community.

Can I get academic support if I don't sign up for a Living-Learning Community?

Yes. If there is a LLC for your program, you will still be invited to several of the academic enrichment activities. Also, each academic enrichment activity will have an online component which you will have access to.

If I join a Living-Learning Community — Does that mean I'll live where the community is located?

If you select to participate in a Waterloo Residences Living-Learning Community, you will be automatically assigned to the residence where the Living-Learning Community is based. For example, if you are participating in Arts & Business you will be assigned to Ron Eydt Village. Students in Living-Learning Communities with double and suite-style rooms can have mutual roommate requests.

For Living-Learning Communities in Colleges, every effort will be made to place you in the college where the community is based, however, depending on demand, you may be placed in another residence community.

Can I withdraw from a Living-Learning Community after I've submitted my Residence Community Ranking Form?

Yes, you can withdraw from the LLC. You must contact the Living-Learning department before room assignments are given out to withdraw. After that you will already be assigned to a residence community and it will not be possible to be moved.

You should carefully consider your options before withdrawing. If you live in the LLC, you'll have a high level of support. While you can still participate in some events and access resources, you will give up some extra support if you withdraw.

What if my program doesn't have a Living-Learning Community?

You will still have access to a variety of academic supports. Academics in Rez programs offer free assistance from paid upper year students.​ Drop-In Tutoring offers free tutoring for Accounting, Math (Calculus and Algebra), Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering (Math and Programming) from paid upper year tutors.

What is the residence guarantee — How do I know if I qualify?

The University of Waterloo residence guarantee for first-year students is a collaborative effort between Waterloo Residences and the University College Residences. Note: Conrad Grebel is not included in the first-year guarantee and follows a separate application process. 

Learn more about the first-year application process.

What if my Offer of Admission is late or I miss the deadline?

You will receive information in your Academic Offer of Admission package to help you in your housing search. This letter will direct you on how to search for vacancies on- and off-campus. Some spaces in some of the residence communities may be available after the guaranteed students are accommodated. However, these spaces may not be made available until late-August or early-September.

Am I guaranteed to get my first choice of residence or room type?

No. The residence guarantee only guarantees you a room in residence. Many students select the same room type and/or residence community and there are only so many rooms and spaces in each residence. Therefore, it is impossible to guarantee every student their first choice. Our process ensures that the maximum number of incoming students are assigned to one of their top 3 choices.

If I submit my Residence Community Ranking Form and my Waterloo Residences Preference Form right away, will I have a better chance of getting my first choices?

No. This is not a first-come, first-served process. Everyone who submits these forms on time has an equal chance of getting their first choice.

I had Waterloo Residences ranked as my first choice — Why was I placed in a University College Residence?

Every effort is made to accommodate students with their first choice. However, depending on demand, specific preferences cannot always be accommodated. If Waterloo Residences cannot accommodate all of the students who choose them as their first choice, students who chose a University College Residence that had spaces remaining as their second choice may be placed there.

What's on the Waterloo Residences Preference Form?

The Waterloo Residences Preference Form has several sections for you to submit: 

1. Personal information 
2. Roommates (optional)
3. Tell us about yourself to help with roommate matching
4. Rank the residence communities you want to live in
5. Meal plan preference
6. Confirmation

How are rooms assigned to first-year students?

First-year students are assigned rooms through a process that considers over 20 factors, which includes students’ personal preferences. Our process ensures that the maximum number of incoming first-year students are assigned to one of their top 3 choices. Learn more about how rooms are assigned.

Do all students receive their room assignment in July?

No. Room assignments begin in July and continue until the end of August. Please remember that the first year guarantee still applies! Students who have not been placed in July will receive their room assignment at a later date.

What are my chances of getting my first choice residence?

Your chances depend on several factors including the number of spaces available in your first choice residence, and the number of other students who also rank that residence as their first choice. Learn more about how rooms are assigned.

If my grades are higher, will that increase my chances of getting the residence of my choice?

No, your grades are not considered in the residence allocation process.

Will underage students or students in the same faculty be grouped together?

Younger students (16 and under) will be placed in single rooms in Village 1 located near the Don's suite. Older students (22 and older) will be placed together. 

Students are able to choose to live with other students in their faculty through a Living-Learning Community. A Living-Learning Community is a small group or “cluster” of students who are enrolled in the same academic program, share classes, and living space. These are the only students who are grouped together by program of study.

Are there quiet floors or areas?

We do not specifically designate areas as quiet. Generally, quiet hours begin at 11 p.m. on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends. There is a 24-hour quiet policy during final exams. We have a general residence policy based on mutual respect and the same considerations are expected in all our residences.

If I'm not happy with my room assignment can I get my deposit back?

No. The $500 deposit is non-refundable.

If I'm not happy with my room assignment, can I be put on a waiting list to be moved?

All residence facilities are full in the fall term; therefore, there is no waiting list for room changes. If, after you arrive, you're experiencing difficulty, you should talk to your Don to see what options might be available.

What if I find someone who agrees to switch rooms — Can't we just swap?

First-year students: No, you cannot switch rooms with another resident. You must give your residence community a chance before any changes will be considered.

Upper-year students: Yes, you can do a room swap as long as both residents agree to the room swap. Both residents must email the Occupancy and Data Coordinator that they agree to this room swap, in order for the room swap to go through.

Why did I get placed in ________ when it was my last choice?

Your first choice had been filled by the time your application was allocated a room. So, you were assigned to your next choice(s) of residence with available rooms (which could be your last choice). Learn more about how rooms are assigned.

Why didn't I get my friend I requested as a roommate?

There are several reasons why this might have occurred:

• There were no available spaces left where roommates could be placed together by the time your application was allocated a room.
• You are not the same gender as your requested roommate.
• You are not in the same academic stream as your requested roommate.
• The requests were not mutual (you picked someone as a roommate but they didn’t pick you).

Learn more about how rooms are assigned and the impact of selecting a roommate on your application.

I have a Village 1 room number starting with 0 (e.g. 003b) — Does that mean I'm in the basement?

Village 1 was built in a hilly area and some houses are built on the side of a hill. In these houses there are rooms on 4 floors instead of the usual 3. Because of the way the hill slopes, these lower floors are partially below ground level and partially at ground level. You will have a normal window like any other ground level room.

Are beds and desks assigned in a double room?

Yes. If you are in a double room, your room number will include either a letter (a or b) or number (1 or 2). This indicates which bed and desk are yours. When you get to residence there will be a corresponding number or letter on your side of the room.

I'm in an interconnecting room in Village 1 — Which room is mine?

Your room number will include an "f" or a "b" - "f" is for the front room, "b" is for the back room.

What types of amenities​ do you have in the residences?

• Common lounges on floors with TV
• Fitness room in REV
• Music rooms in V1 and REV
• Large common lounge areas with big screen TV
• Pool table(s)
• Ping pong
• Foosball table(s)
• Front Desk where you can sign out games and movies
• Weekly grocery shuttles run in each of our suite-style residences

Where do I do my laundry?

Laundry facilities are located in the central complex of each building.

Can I bring my own furniture?

All rooms and suites are furnished and there isn't much space for extra furniture. You can bring some small items but no University furniture can be removed from your room to accommodate larger items.

Am I allowe​d to cook in my room — Can I have a microwave, hot plate, or rice cooker?

You are not allowed to cook in any residence bedroom. Automatic shut-off coffee makers or kettles and small fridges are the only appliances permitted in the traditional-style residences. Microwaves, kettles, grills, rice cookers and toasters are only permitted in suite-style residences that have their own cooking facilities.

What kind of housekeeping is required and/or provided?

Housekeeping of all common residence areas is provided in all residences on a regular basis. Students are expected to maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness in their rooms and in the common areas of residence. Monthly cleaning inspections by Waterloo staff take place in all suite-style residences.

What kind of security is provided in residence?

All floors or houses are accessible only to the residents of that floor or house and each student has a key to his or her room and/or suite. Every residence has a "Duty Don", available 8 p.m. - 8 a.m. daily, with a cell phone for any emergencies. Most Front Desks are open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. 

In addition, adult Residence Life Co-ordinators (RLCs) live on campus in the "Tutor Houses" located between MKV and REV. One of the 5 RLCs is always on duty and available to respond to emergencies. UW Police are on duty 24/7 and can always be called for assistance. Students often use the UW Shuttle Service to get back to residence from night classes.

Where can​ I store my bike?

Bike storage rooms are available in MKV, REV, and V1. All residences have lots of outdoor bike racks. Be sure to bring a good lock.

Where can I work o​ut?

Are there any part-time jobs in residence?

Yes! We hire students as Front Desk assistants, Promo Team, Student Computer Consultants, and Residence Ambassadors. If you're interested, you should check out our Jobs & Leadership page. Food Services hires students to work in their eateries across campus.

What is​ ResNet — Do I need to sign-up for my own Internet service?

Included in your fees, ResNet is the high-speed Internet connection provided to every resident living in Waterloo Residences. ResNet provides fast, free service with unlimited download limits.

What are the limits of ResNet — How fast is it? Can I download music or movies?

Visit the technology section for more details including usage limits. It is illegal to download and share movies and/or music files – it constitutes copyright infringement and the University does not condone this usage.

What television channel​s are available in the shared areas — Can we add more channels?

ResNet provides cable TV for all floor/house lounges with Rogers basic cable package. All rooms are equipped with cable outlets so you can have cable installed in your own room. You will have to pay for your cable service and arrange access from Rogers.

When do I move in?

Moving procedures, dates, and times can be found on the move-in page.

I need to move in early/late — Can I do that?

Review the move-in dates for earliest and latest arrival dates. You have until 12 noon on the first day of classes to move in or your room will be cancelled unless you have filled out a late arrival form. You will also be held to the financial fees outlined in your terms & conditions.

What should I pack?

We have made lists of items you might want to bring depending the residence community type; either suite-style apartment or traditional-style dorm. When deciding what to pack, consider the type of the room you were assigned. Check the photo galleries and room diagrams for your residence to see how much storage space is available.

What are the policies and guidelines for living in residence?

Please see our Contract terms and conditions page.

When do I have to move out of residence?

You will be asked to leave residence within 24 hours after your last exam. If you do not have a last exam, you will be asked to move out within 24 hours of the last day of classes. For more information, read about the move-out process. Residence is a year-round operation and we need to time to prepare our facilities for the new term ahead!

If I'm staying in residence for the next term do I still have to move my stuff out?

No. If you are staying in your room for the following term you do not have to move your things out when you leave.

If you are moving to a new residence, going on co-op, or otherwise not coming back for the following term, you do need to move your things out of your room. In this case, your room and suite (if applicable) will be inspected by residence staff before you leave.

I am an international (or out-of-province) student — Can I stay in residence over the winter break?

You may extend your time in residence by a few days but we still need to close over the winter holidays and in between terms. 

There are no exceptions to this rule as Waterloo Residences is a year-round operation; our teams require time to ensure our facilities are cleaned and tidy prior to your arrival for the next term ahead. Find a local place to stay with our short term accommodations list.

What if I want to withdraw from residence?

You will be charged a withdrawal fee based on the terms and conditions outlined in your residence contract.

• Students will be held financially responsible if they choose to withdraw before their contract is over.

If you plan on withdrawing from residence before you move in, please let us know as soon as possible. To withdraw from residence, you must submit an online Withdrawal/Cancellation Form.

Can I request a roommate?

Yes! After you have filled out the Residence Community Ranking Form you will have the opportunity to fill out the Waterloo Residences Preference Form. You will then have the option to request a specific roommate. 

We accommodate roommate requests as long as

• You are the same gender 

• You are in the same academic stream

• You both applied by the June 1 deadline, and were placed in Waterloo Residences

Learn more about how rooms are assigned and the impact of selecting a roommate on your application.

Can I request a roommate if I am part of a Living-Learning Community?

Yes, you can request one roommate. They do not need to be part of the Living-Learning Community, they can be from a different academic program.

Please note: your roommate cannot have applied to live in a different Living-Learning academic cluster than you.

Learn more about how rooms are assigned and the impact of selecting a roommate on your application.

How does a roommate request affect my room assignment options?

If you choose to request a roommate or several roommates and the requests are mutual, Waterloo Residences will prioritize the request to make sure you are all assigned together. You would only be considered for residences that meet your group size. For example, if you are a part of a 4-person group, your assignments choice are limited to Columbia Lake Village, MacKenzie King Village, and UWP Suites as these are the only residential options for groups of 4. . Students in groups of three are only considered for UWP suites. Students in groups of two could be assigned to Claudette Millar Hall, Ron Eydt Village, Village 1 or to a limited number of UWP Suites.

I really don't want to have a roommate — What if it turns out to be a complete disaster?

Sharing a room really isn't as bad as you might think. In reality, roommate relationships usually work out well. You and your roommate will have very different schedules, so you won't always be in the room at the same time. If you have problems with your roommate, your Don will be there to support you. Learning to live with other people is part of the learning experience in residence, so you will be expected to try to work things out with your roommate. In severe cases, room changes may be permitted, but only as a last resort.

What if I don't know anyone coming to UWaterloo?

Don't worry! Students have shared with us that they had a great experience when matched with someone they did not know. The positive experience is often attributed to being able to grow with the matched roommate. Students who often live with friends or people they met on social media sometimes have less positive experiences since compatibility can decrease over the first year. As part of your application process you'll have a chance to tell us about yourself. We'll take the details from your Waterloo Residences Preference Form to match you with a like-minded roommate. Many friendships are made this way!

What if I miss the deadline to accept my roommate request?

Roommate requests must be submitted and accepted by the Waterloo Residences Preference Form deadline date.

What if I change my mind and no longer want to live with the roommate(s)
 I requested?

You have until the deadline of your Waterloo Residences Preference Form to remove yourself from the group.

What if each of my requested roommates selected different residence choices?

Be prepared to live in any of our first-year residence communities and remember if you have requested a roommate it's considered your number one preference. If space is available, the program will automatically place you in the same residence. When the allocation program comes across your group, it will then try to place you in the first available space according to your preferences.​

If there are no suites remaining to fit your group, the allocation program may place you with any one of your requested roommates (it may split up your roommate group) or may place you as a single. Your preferences will still be taken into account.

Learn more about how rooms are assigned and the impact of selecting a roommate on your application.

I require accessible accommodation, what should I do?

Visit the Special accommodation section for full details and contact information.

What if I have special dietary needs (allergies, religious restrictions, etc.) —
 Does this mean I will be placed in a suite-style room?

Due to the diverse student body of Waterloo Residences, we are unable to accommodate residence requests for religious reasons. Our cafeterias can accommodate restricted diets, for more information contact UW Food Services.

What is academic streaming and how does it affect my residence preferences?

How do I know if I'm a 4-stream or an 8-stream student?

To find out if you are a 4-stream student, see when your first work term begins. You are a 4-stream student if you are in a co-op program and your first work term is in January. Only students in some Engineering programs are 4-stream.

You are an 8-stream student if you are in a regular program or a co-op program and your first work term is in May or later.

Learn more about how rooms are assigned and the impact of your academic stream on your application.

What's a Don?

A Don is an upper-year student who lives and works in a specific residence area, providing leadership to approximately 50 students. They help everyone to get acquainted, plans activities, assists with problems and upholds policies and rules. They are familiar with the campus and have a passion for the residence experience. All of our Dons are first-aid certified and go through intensive training in order to create a safe and comfortable community.

Is there an additional residence fee (House Fund)?

No, it is included in your residence fees. Each Don and his or her area has a certain amount of money set aside to spend on community-building activities for their residents. (Note: this money is never used to purchase alcohol.)

What kinds of activities or socials go on in residence?

The Dons plan social and educational events on a regular basis - anything from ice cream night, trips to the movies or the local market to study skills and nutrition/how to cook seminars. These events are usually held for individual floors, but residence-wide events are held often as well. The Dons try very hard to plan things that students are interested in or express a need for. Events are also regularly held by the ResCouncil and other groups.

What is the ResCouncil?

ResCouncil is the official representation for all students living in Waterloo Residences. All residents are invited to get involved in residence, and to come to Council meetings to propose and plan residence events.

I am bringing a spouse and/or children — Is there a residence for families?

Waterloo Residences provides housing for students with families in the Columbia Lake Village North (CLV-North) residence community. CLV-North is a community of townhouses each comprised of two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and many other amenities to offer to students with families.

Learn more and/or apply for family housing here.

What if my residence is too noisy for studying?

There are lots of places to study both within your residence and around campus. You may choose to book out a residence study room, go to the library, or find an empty classroom on campus. In Ron Eydt Village, there are two large silent study halls that are available to all students living in residence. All residences have quiet hours during final exam periods.

The Waterloo Residences are committed to providing a supportive academic environment as well as a fun place to make friends and hang out. If you are having problems with excessive noise in your residence, you should communicate with your neighbours and with your Don and try to resolve the problem.

Can I have friends stay over?

Yes, you are allowed to have friends visit you in residence, including guests of the opposite gender. Your guest may stay for a maximum of 48 hours and you are responsible for his/her behaviour while he/she is staying with you.

If you have a roommate or suitemates, you should check with them first before inviting your guest to stay. You should also introduce your guest to your Don. The only exception to this is during orientation week. No guests will be allowed during this time.​ Please see your terms and conditions for more details about guests.

Which residence is the best?

Each residence has many services and experiences to offer students and no two students are completely alike. It’s more a case of which residence is best for you. Some offer more independence while others offer more convenience; some offer more social interaction, while others offer more privacy.

Differences aside, all of our residences offer a strong sense of community, support for academic pursuits, full-time professional staff, and many amenities to make it feel like home.