St. Paul’s residence wings get a facelift
This summer, 74 residence rooms in the west and east wings of the College will be renovated for student arrivals in September. These rooms in particular are the classic privacy double rooms that have been a St. Paul’s staple since the 1960s. Students love the style of these rooms because of the unique layout of having closets in the middle of the room, separating sleeping and studying spaces.
“The last few years have been very successful at the College,” said Mike Steinmann, director of finance and administration. “It’s nice to be able to reinvest our surplus earnings into a nice and functional space for students.”
All three floors of the east wing will be renovated, as well as the first and second floors of the west wing. Renovations will include, electrical updates, replacing desks, fresh coats of paint for all the walls and closets, as well as replacing any broken or damaged drawers and shelves. All rooms will have access to recently renovated bathroom facilities.
The decision to update the rooms came in early October 2019 and was finalized by St. Paul’s Board of Governors in February. The initial plan was to renovate two floors in the west wing, as there would still be residents living in the building for the spring/summer term. But, when summer residences were closed due to COVID-19, it was the perfect opportunity to complete all intended renovations at once, as this would pose minimal disruptions to both staff and other students living at the College.
We’re so excited to welcome students this coming fall, to a living-space they’ll be proud to call home!
Student Refugee Program
June 20, was World Refugee Day and the theme this year was "every action counts". The World University Service of Canada (WUSC) has been sponsoring refugee students to attend the University of Waterloo since 2006. St. Paul's is the administrative home to the student refugee program on behalf of the entire campus and every other sponsored student calls St. Paul's home.
Meet Aliny
Aliny joined the St. Paul’s community in August 2019 when she first arrived in Canada as a permanent resident, sponsored by WUSC and the University of Waterloo’s Student Refugee Program (SRP). She is enrolled in Public Health and aspires to be a professional health care provider.
Now 22, Aliny, was born in Malawi and raised by her parents in Dzaleka Refugee Camp. She lived there with her older sister and two younger brothers who are still residing in Malawi. Conditions there are very poor as there is no adequate food or clean water, no freedom of movement, and children lack proper access to education. Students cannot be enrolled into public or government-funded universities or colleges because of their refugee status.
Knowing that she would not have the opportunity to attend post-secondary school in Malawi, Aliny applied for the highly competitive program offered through WUSC. More than 300 people apply every year, and only 25 are successful. The process is rigorous and requires dedication, excellent grades, adequate English speaking and writing skills, a commitment to community-based volunteer work and a handful of personal assessments.
“I was so determined to make it, and I knew that this program was my only opportunity to continue my studies,” said Aliny. “I yearned for a sense of belonging, and applied for the chance to pursue my dreams.”
Almost one year since her arrival, Aliny looks back on her first year at the University of Waterloo with fondness. She enjoyed living on the French-language floor, Las Bastille at St. Paul’s, and developed a palate for the variety of food served in Watson’s Eatery.
SRP students and WUSC local committee attending St. Jacobs Sparkles Holiday event in November.
“St. Paul’s is a great place to be,” said Aliny. “The people are friendly and very helpful. They have made the transition to Canada smooth, and I appreciate the quiet room I have to call my home. I have made many friends, and look forward to becoming more independent as I enter my second year at UW.”
