Moving in and out of residence

Moving In

Before you move into residence, please take a few minutes to review the following information:

  1. Check out what to bring below.
  2. Internet at United is free through University of Waterloo's ResNet Internet service. It is the only Internet service available in the United dormitory. You can review how to access the internet on different devices here: https://uwaterloo.ca/campus-housing/technology
  3. The Guidebooks on the Important Documents and the Current Residents pages tell you what you need to know about living in your community.
  4. Early move-in requests may not always be possible. If you are an International student or travelling a far distance to Waterloo and need a place to stay in advance of our residence being open at the start of term, please email unitedcollege@uwaterloo.ca to see if this is an option. We also have hotel-style guest rooms on site that you can rent on a nightly basis at a great student rate.
What to bring What not to bring
  • Cell Phone
  • Alarm clock
  • Back pack
  • Clothes hangers
  • Hair dryer
  • Health card
  • Laundry bag or basket with detergent/softener
  • Linens: sheets, pillow case, warm blankets/duvet/comforter 
  • Pillow
  • Extra lamp (not halogen)
  • Small fridge (5 Cu. Ft. max) or rent one form Student and Guest Services)
  • Teddy bear
  • Computer
  • Ethernet cable in order to connect to ResNet
  • Ethernet card (most new computers will have a built-in Ethernet card)
  • Electrical power bar (with surge protection)
  • Music player with headphones
  • Toiletries and towels
  • Shower caddy and flip flops
  • A raincoat/umbrella
  • Slippers
  • Swim wear
  • University documents
  • WatCard (if you have one already)
  • Driver's license or passport for identification
  • Pens, pencils, paper, clipboard
  • Sticky tack for walls, push pins for corkboard (no other mounting devices)
  • Acceptable appliances: automatic shut-off kettle, small blender (eg. Magic Bullet) 
  • Candles and incense
  • Halogen lamps
  • Heaters or heat lamps
  • Air conditioner
  • Appliances - hot plates, toasters, rice cookers, microwaves, crock pots, etc., are not allowed in residence rooms
  • Mattress (for health and safety reasons outside mattresses are not allowed)
  • Internet routers 
  • Illegal substances or materials
  • Weapons (or items that resemble weapons)
  • Pets
  • Unreasonably loud or powerful speakers
  • Vacuum (rent for free at the front desk)
  • nails or wall mounts (sticky tack only)

What's already in your double room

  • 2 single-sized beds with mattresses (36" x 79" x 6")
  • 2 desk chairs
  • Garbage and recycling containers
  • Bulletin board
  • 2 mirrors
  • 2 Internet hook ups
  • Desk, dressers, shelves
  • 2 desk lamps
  • 2 bedside lights
  • Blinds

What's already in your single room

  • 1 single-sized bed with mattress (36" x 79" x 6")
  • 1 desk chair
  • Garbage and recycling containers
  • Bulletin board
  • 1 mirror
  • 1 Internet hook up
  • Desk, dresser, shelves
  • 1 desk lamp
  • Blinds

Notes about furniture: 

* All furniture that comes with the room must stay in the room.

* The majority of furniture follows the specifications listed above, but in some cases may differ. We try to notify students if their furniture is different but may not always be able to.

* Some students may be living in a double room as single occupancy in which case the furniture would be that of a double room.

Exam quiet hours

During the scheduled exam periods, quiet hours are in place. It is expected that the residence floors become a quiet environment that is conducive to studying. The following three hours are social hours, where music can be played at acceptable volume and talking in the hallways is permitted and encouraged as usual.

Social hours are:

  • 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
  • 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
  • 9:30 pm - 10:30 pm

All other times are quiet hours, so please be respectful.

Move-out process

Vacating schedule and room inspection

All students are required to vacate the residence 24 hours after your last exam. A fine of $100/day will result if you do not vacate on your specified day.

Prior to leaving, you must schedule a mandatory “check-out” room inspection with your Don, who will also assist you with move-out logistics. Failure to schedule a room inspection may result in fines or room-cleaning charges.

Room and Key check out

Winter and Spring students will be required to submit all of your issued keys during the unit inspection. Failure to return your keys will result in a $75/per key charge to replace them and have the unit re-keyed (for security reasons).

Fall students returning for Winter term may keep your unit keys over the holidays. Your Don will check to make sure you have your full set of issued keys during the unit inspection. If you fail to bring your keys back in Winter, or have lost them, there will be a $75/per key charge to replace them and re-key your unit (for security reasons).

Fall students not returning for Winter term will be required to submit all of your issued keys during the unit inspection. Failure to return your keys will result in a $75/per key charge to replace them and have the unit re-keyed (for security reasons).

Storage of belongings

For all Fall students returning for Winter term, please take all valuable items with you. Remove all perishable items, garbage and recycling from your room, and vacuum your area. You may leave all other belongings neatly in your room. St. Paul's is not responsible for belongings left in your room.

For all Fall students not returning for Winter term, please take all belongings with you and make sure your room is clean for inspection.

Should you have any questions, please contact your Don, who'd be happy to help.