Moving into Residence

Students attending the Global Expo event

Before I arrive...

There's so much to know before coming! We hope this will help you to become a bit more familiar with life at Renison and what to expect...

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Residence

As of May 1, 2022, the University of Waterloo and Renison University College will no longer require COVID-19 vaccinations to live in residence. This procedure follows the COVID-19 guidelines provided by the Government of Ontario.

Fees
Consult the University of Waterloo’s Important Dates Calendar to verify when your tuition and residence fees are due. All fees can be made payable to the University of Waterloo, online through your Quest account.  You can typically expect to see your residence fees being due in August, December, or April for the academic term ahead. You will pay your residence fees on a termly basis. 

Questions about paying your fees?

Visit the Student Financial Services website and learn more about your student account, OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program), and the Student Awards and Financial Aid Office. If you have specific questions about the residence fees assigned to your Quest account, speak with a member of the Student Experience and Housing team, or send an email to ren-res@uwaterloo.ca . 

Your Room
Renison has 10 residence floors, which are either male only, female only or co-ed. If you request a single-gender floor, we do our best to approve your request (space permitting).

You will find out where you are living when you arrive. To protect the your privacy and the privacy of other residents we do not share residents’ contact information.

Our residence floors have funky names! As a Resident, you will live on one of the following floors:

  • Animal
  • Down Under
  • Euphoria
  • Fubar
  • Loft
  • Midway
  • Moose Crossing
  • Oasis
  • Timbuktu
  • Treetop

You will learn which floor you will be joining when you move in!

Residence Contract and Community Standards

The Residence Contract and Community Standards is an important document that all current residents agree to abide by. It outlines the terms and conditions of your contract with Renison and your rights and responsibilities as a resident.

Read the document: Residence Contract and Community Standards (PDF)

Bikes and Parking

Bicycles

Many students bring bicycles to get around campus although most buildings are within a 10 minute walk from Renison. Students who bring bicycles have the opportunity to store them indoors in our bike shed. You will need to provide your own lock.

Bikes are not permitted in rooms or hallways. All bikes must be removed at the end of contracted period.

Parking

A limited number of parking passes are available. Students who wish to secure a parking space for the year can do so by contacting renison.parking@uwaterloo.ca.

Short term parking is available in our parking lot. Parking is secured by a gate accepting card only. Overnight parking is available to permit holders only.

Residents hanging out in the hallway

Once I arrive...  

Sunday, September 3 is the official move-in day for the Fall 2023 term! Once you arrive at Renison University College, here's some helpful things to know...

Move-in Day
Renison University College will invite students to move-in the weekend prior to the beginning of classes.
Please see the move-in day checklist (PDF) for helpful reminders of items that are important to bring with you.

The big day has finally arrived - our official Renison Residence move-in day is Sunday, September 1!

If you requested to move in early, you should have received an email this week to confirm your early move-in date and time.

To help reduce congestion, we are asking students to move in during these specific times on Sunday, September 1.


What is happening on Move-in Day?

Move-in - 9:00am - 3:00pm

Students with Family Names Beginning with A-L:
Move in to Renison Residence between 9:00am to 12:00pm

Students with Family Names Beginning with M-Z:
Move in to Renison Residence between 12:00pm to 3:00pm

On Move-in Day, please bring:

  • A piece of photo identification (a passport, driver's license, high school photo card, etc.)
     
  • Any carts or dollies to help you move in your belongings more easily; we will have some available but supplies will be limited!
     
  • What you'll need to be comfortable during your time in Residence. See our shopping list below!

Where do I go to move in?
You will: 

  • Come to 240 Westmount Road North at Renison University College (Google Maps)
     
  • When you turn into the driveway, you will see a gated parking lot located immediately to your right-hand side.
     
  • You will be able to enter this gated parking lot on September 1. The gate will be open on this day for you to enter and exit freely. 
  • Your friendly Dons, volunteers, and Renison Student Experience & Housing team will be here to enthusiastically welcome you to your new home.

Building-wide Meeting - 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Hosted in our Renison Cafeteria, we will be bringing together our entire residence community for an important meeting to learn about the rules, procedures, and processes for community living at Renison. We will talk about everything about how to use your meal plan, what to do when you need help after-hours, who is here to support you, and much more. 

Please plan to attend this very important meeting. It will save you a lot of stress later!
 

Welcome BBQ - 5:00pm - 6:30pm

Hosted in our Renison Courtyard, join us for your very first Renison meal. Our President and Vice-Chancellor the Rev. Dr. Marc Jerry will provide a warm greeting, and we will enjoy burgers, hot dogs, and other refreshments. Our Residence Dons will also be on hand to teach you the Renison dance! 

 

Floor Meeting - 7:00pm - 8:30pm

You will meet in the hallway of your residence floor for your first floor meeting with your Residence Don. The Don will help you learn what you need to know when it comes to accessing any shared facilities on your floor, how to access cleaning supplies to keep your room looking clean, tips and tricks for using the shared washrooms, and much more. This will also be an awesome chance to get to know who is part of your residence floor community!

Meet in the Atrium to Walk to PAC - 8:30pm

Join your residence floor by meeting in the Atrium. Together, we will walk over to the Physical Activities Complex (PAC) for the kick-off to Waterloo Orientation week... Warrior Welcome!

Warrior Welcome - 9:00pm - 9:45pm

Get ready for an incredible show and welcome as you enter our University of Waterloo community and become a Waterloo Warrior. 

Can't move in until later?

Oh no! You will miss a lot of awesome things happening on Sunday, September 1. However, if it's absolutely not possible, you can move in later if necessary. Signage will be posted at our Renison entrances to call our Residence Duty Don phone number (1-519-498-3929) upon arrival to receive help to move into your residence room and receive your residence keys.

Once moved in

  1. Once settled in, you’ll have the opportunity to meet your Don and explore Renison and the University of Waterloo.

  2. Join us for an outdoor BBQ (or indoor themed dinner in case of rain) on September 3 in the late afternoon.

  3. In the evening, you will get to know your floormates at your first floor meeting at a time stated by your Don.

  4. Kick start your social life by joining us for orientation events throughout the week.

Who am I going to meet?

We are excited for you to meet our Student Experience and Housing team!

  • Jen Burton, Housing Manager
  • Ryan Connell, Assistant Director, Student Experience & Housing
  • Scott McLeod, Chaplain
  • Stefany Kraft, Student Experience Coordinator
  • Allison Marlowe, Student Experience Coordinator
  • Laura Mutton, Administrative Assistant
  • Dons from all Renison residence floors

Orientation Week

Orientation Week is your chance to get acquainted with UWaterloo and Renison University College. The week is full of useful information sessions with your faculty as well as many of the services on campus. You can also participate in fun events to get to know your peers and build a social network. More details on the events are to come! 

Black and Gold Day

Once I Get Settled In... 

Once you have moved in and your settled in your residence room, here's helpful information you'll want to know next. 

Meal Plan

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

  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday to Friday
  • Brunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday
Meal hours are from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm with limited interruption of service. 
The extensive meal plan includes:
  • Two main entrees plus vegetarian and pasta options
  • Daily features on the grill and salad bar
  • Soup, dessert, and beverage stations
  • Pizza oven
  • Takeaway lunches and late dinners (available upon request)
  • Interactive and hands on cooking classes with our head chef and your peers
  • Themed meal nights such as a Hawaiian luau
  • Late night snacks during exam weeks
  • Food services are provided in-house by Renison staff

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

The advantage of the Renison 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. 

We welcome you to learn more on our Meal Plan webpage. You can also access the Weekly Menu online.

Sustainability at Renison

Internet