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)
and Warrior Academic Leadership Community (WALC) 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

Once you have decided that University of Waterloo will be your 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 3rd, 2019 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.

To apply after June 3rd, please submit Renison Residence's online application form.

Fees

2019 - 2020 - Room rates

(8-month contract - fall/winter or fall/spring)

The meal plan is included in the residence fees.

Fees are subject to change pending board approval.

Visit the full page for Renison Residence fees. 

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
• Large on site library
• 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

Renison's caf​eteria offers 19 meal times per week:

• Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday to Friday
• Brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday

Our meal plan permits five passes through our servery per day. 

The pay-one-price meal plan ensures that you will have plenty to eat without worrying about money or a declining card balance.

The advantage of a five-swipe-a-day meal plan is that you never worry about going hungry and you never have to deprive yourself because you're on a tight budget. 

The meal plan at Renison University College is included in your residence fees. 

Sample menus

Check out our sample menus and get a taste for what you can enjoy eating here at Renison!

• View the week one sample menu
• View the week two sample menu
• View the week three sample menu

Visit our full page on the meal plan.

The relatively small size of Renison’s community means that many students have the opportunity to become involved, develop leadership skills, build a resume and contribute to our community. From Student Ambassador tour guides, to Conversation Partners, to Student Activity groups, there is an opportunity for you. Find out more by contacting our Residence and Student Life Coordinator. 

Once you're here

Renisix

Each year, resident students elect a student committee (Renisix) to deal with issues affecting those living at Renison. Renisix plans events and acts as a voice for the residents concerning community living. They're tasked with enhancing the social atmosphere of the College for those who live in its residence halls. A student run council, Renisix gives students the opportunity to take ownership of their residence experience and provide opportunities for students to have fun and meet others in the University College. 

Renison Academic Student Council (RASC)

The Renison Academic Student Council (RASC) is a student government composed of undergraduate Renison registered students who take courses on campus. The goals of RASC are to advocate for the needs of its members as well as enhance their social atmosphere while at university. A student run council, RASC works with other student governments on campus to ensure its member are aware of any discussions on campus that are important to fees they pay, the programs they take, courses they are enrolled in, and any concerns they may have about Renison University College.

A day in the life

7:30 am

Wake up for class, shower, and dress for Waterloo Region's weather.

8:00 am

Head to the Great Hall for a hot or continental breakfast prepared by our friendly staff. Pick up your bag lunch if you plan to eat on campus.

8:30 am

Head to your nearby class.

11:30 am

Return to Renison to enjoy lunch with your friends in the Great Hall.  After your meal, if you would like seconds, go back through the survery to swipe your card for the third time.

12:30 pm

Back to class.

4:30 pm 

Visit the Columbia Ice Field for your work out! 

5:45 pm

Return to Residence for a meal with your “other” friends you may have missed at lunch.

7:00 pm

Begin studying.

9:00 pm

Help out the student government by prepping for tonights event.

10:00 pm 

You and your friends from one of the floors at the College go to the great hall for board games, karaoke, and dance contest.

11:00 pm

Hang out in your room or continue to study for tomorrows exam.

12:30 am

Goodnight!

Academic supports

Quick Links

Student Success Office

Writing and Communication Centre

Renison's academic advisors

University of Waterloo academic advisors by faculty

Accessibility

Renison prides itself on being an accessible campus. Realizing that it is not possible to be 100% accessible for every person, we strive to make changes to our environment which addresses concerns raised by our students. We have an Accessibility Matters group at Renison comprised of staff, faculty, students and community members. The group meets regularly to host awareness events and address concerns in our community. 

Visit our full page on Accessbility.

Personal supports

Renison is an extremely supportive place to live on your own for the first time. With our resident "Dons" (upper-year students who live on each residence floor and who are trained to be resources for incoming students), community living-learning groups, and accessible staff and faculty nearby, if you run into a problem, we can help. Renison also provides access to professional supports with our Chaplain and on site Social Worker. As a University of Waterloo student you are also able to access all the supports at the University of Waterloo. You are well supported.

Visit our full page on Supports for residents.