Future residents

At one don for every twenty-one students, we have the lowest don to resident ratio on the Waterloo campus. This means that you will have plenty of upper-year students to help you navigate university life in your first year. 

What exactly is a don?

Our Dons are upper year students who have been trained extensively in first aid, fire safety, communication skills, dealing with roommate conflicts, and handling disciplinary problems. 

The dons work very hard at making a close knit community on their floor. They plan many activities and have an open door policy.   

Renison has a limited number of single rooms. They are generally available to upper year students, but are assigned by lottery so first-year students may be assigned to a single room but most of our residents will have the benefit of having a roommate.

Here are Margaret and Nikita talking about what it is like to have a roommate at Renison. 

Renison is home to the Social Developmental Studies (SDS), Warrior Academic Leadership Community (WALC), and Bridge to Academic Success in English (BASE) living-learning communities. This is an academically supported living arrangement where these students are grouped together in "clusters" in our residence.

Your friends, roommates, and classmates are all rolled into one, which means you'll get the best of both worlds. You'll find a small, caring place to call home that will help you focus on your studies.

Steps

Incoming First Year Students:

Before June 1

Once you have decided that University of Waterloo will be your school, the next step is deciding where you will live in your first year. Renison works in conjunction with the University of Waterloo to guarantee that all first year students will have a place in residence.

Step one: It is important to research our communities by visiting our campus on tour days, booking your own visit, reviewing brochures and websites.

Step two: Once you have decided that Renison is the right place for you, visit the Residence Community Ranking Form by June 1st, 2020 to rank your communities by preference.

Step three: In the first week of June you will be notified if you have been placed at Renison. You will be asked to complete an on line form by a specified date. Once completed, you are now a Renison resident.

After June 1

To apply after June 1st, please submit Renison Residence's online application form.

Upper Year Students:

Please apply directly to Renison through our online application form.

Facilities

• 25% of beds are interconnecting suites with semi-private baths and central air
• Fully renovated rooms with extra storage, new furnishings and lighting
• Wireless internet everywhere
• New expanded Library part of the Tri-University drop-off and distribution centre
• Conveniently located on the University of Waterloo campus and only a short 5 minute walk from most classroom buildings

Amenities

• Laundry facilities
• Wireless internet access
• Games rooms
• Social lounges with high definition large screen TVs
• Quiet study areas
• Snack machines
• Mail service
• And much more!

Your room

Renison University College proudly offers double and single accommodations for male and female students of the University of Waterloo. Rooms at Renison are divided into three connected buildings: the Founders Building, the Link, and the Luxton Building.

Traditional style single and double rooms

The Founders and Luxton buildings are home to 170 students living in traditional style residence double and single rooms. 

Traditional double style rooms are the most common room type at Renison. All the rooms have been renovated and upgraded over the past five years. These rooms include:

• Single captain’s bed
• Full dresser
• Desk
• Bookcase
• Window coverings
• Wireless internet
• Heating
• Service elevator

Due to the fluctuating male/female resident population, some students requesting a coed floor may be placed on a single sex floor. Males and females have separate bathroom space on traditional co-ed floors. 

Interconnecting suite style single and double rooms

The Link is home to 50 interconnecting single and double rooms. These rooms are spread over two co-ed floors.

These rooms share semi-private washroom facilities (two rooms are connected through a shared washroom). They also include:

• Single captain’s bed
• Full dresser
• Desk
• Window coverings
• Wireless internet
• Heating and central air
• Elevator service