Home Sweet Laurier
You're home! Whether you'll be living in residence or off-campus in our host communities, we have all the details you need to make Laurier feel like home.
If you're living in residence:
- Your residence move-in dates for 2026 will be:
- Friday, Sept. 4 - Sunday, Sept. 6 for Waterloo.
- Sunday, Sept. 6 for Brantford.
- Prepare for residence move-in day and know what to pack.
If you're living off-campus:
- See our move-in day checklist.
- Learn how to get connected with other students living off-campus.
- Be aware of rental scams.
Get to Know the Communities You're Living In
Laurier and its Waterloo and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples. Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.
Our campuses are also within the larger communities of Brantford, Waterloo, Milton and Kitchener. Your decisions have an impact, so make sure you live up to our golden reputation. Learn how to be a good neighbour in the cities of Waterloo and Brantford, and the Town of Milton.
Campus Safety
The safety of our community is our highest priority. It's important to familiarize yourself with our emergency procedures and opt-in to receiving alerts from Laurier's Special Constable Service (SCS).
Sign Up to Receive Alerts
SCS will send safety alerts using a number of communication channels, including: email, SAFEHawk app, text messages and desktop notifications to Laurier computers. Here are some ways that you can make sure you receive these time-sensitive alerts:
Consent is Golden
As students, you are expected to engage in safe, responsible and respectful conduct. Look out for each other and remember, consent is mandatory.
Learn more about how you can prioritize safety during your first week here.
Attend Orientation
Getting involved with Orientation is a tried-and-true way to connect with Laurier students while getting familiar with your campus.
- Brantford: Monday, Sept. 7 - Saturday, Sept. 12
- Milton: Wednesday, Sept. 9 and Thursday, Sept. 10
- Waterloo: Monday, Sept. 7 - Saturday, Sept. 12
- Virtual Programs: Tuesday, Sept. 1
- Brantford: Thursday, Sept. 3 and Tuesday, Sept. 8 - Saturday, Sept. 12
- Kitchener and Waterloo: Wednesday, Sept. 2 and Wednesday, Sept. 9 - Saturday, Sept. 12
- Virtual Programs: Tuesday, Sept. 1
Support for Your Student Journey
Make the most of your Laurier experience. We offer a range of supports to help you be you, be well and get to know other students and campus partners passionate about the same things as you.
Dean of Students Office
If you find yourself facing extenuating circumstances that impact your academic studies, the Dean of Students' Care and Support team are here to help you get back on track.
Student Health and Wellness
The Student Wellness Centre (SWC) is the home of medical, emotional and mental health services and supports. Put your wellness first from your first day at Laurier.
Get wellness updates on Instagram: @studentlifeatlaurier
Athletics and Recreation
On our Brantford and Waterloo campuses, the Athletics and Recreation department offers a wide variety of opportunities to get active on campus, whether it's attending varsity games, working out at the gym, or playing a rec sport.
Stay connected on Instagram: @wluathletics and @wlurecreation (Waterloo) or @laurierbrantfordgoldenhawks (Brantford)
Service Laurier
Service Laurier is your first stop for support with financial aid and OSAP, student accounts, undergraduate awards, records and registration. Connect with our team from wherever you are using a variety of service methods.
Indigenous Student Services
We are committed to fostering a positive student experience for Indigenous students: First Nation (status and non-status), Inuit and Métis persons.
Stay connected on Instagram: @wluindigenous
Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (CSEDI)
We support, educate and make space for you to find community and engage in equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Stay connected on Instagram: @lauriercsedi
Career Development and Experiential Learning
The Career Development and Experiential Learning team oversees all kinds of supports and resources to help you build professional skills, gain work experience and be engaged with your career development.
Stay connected on Instagram: @lauriercareercentre
International Student Support
As you navigate the transition to university in Canada, the International Student Support (ISS) team will help to guide you on your path to academic and cultural success in Canada.
Stay connected on Instagram: @laurierinternational
Incoming Student Support
Laurier 101: Offered to all incoming undergraduate students, take advantage of Laurier 101 events and resources to help you and your supporters prepare for the time you'll spend at Laurier both in and outside of the classroom.
ASPIRE: Offered to all incoming graduate students, ASPIRE eases your transition as you prepare for the start of your graduate student journey by offering workshops and connecting you with graduate support services.
Your Study Partners for the Year
Take advantage of all the academic support services that we offer to help you thrive academically.
Student Success
Our team is here to help you realize and achieve your academic goals. We've got numerous workshops, one-on-one appointments and online resources designed to help you succeed inside the classroom.
Stay connected on Instagram: @laurierstudentsuccess (undergraduate students) or @lauriergradstudents (graduate students)
Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
We provide you with graduate academic leadership and administrative support. In short, we are the subject matter experts on issues that matter to graduate students and their programs.
Accessible Learning
Our team works with you, your instructors, and other campus partners to provide academic accommodation supports and services. Be sure to register with us before the start of the term.
Get accommodations updates on Instagram: @studentlifeatlaurier
Academic Advising
Connecting with Laurier’s advising community is an ongoing process that can help you set and achieve your academic goals.
Social Supports
We want you to feel connected and supported throughout the academic year. Take advantage of events and perks offered through your student organizations.
Students' Union
As an undergraduate student, you are automatically a member of the Students’ Union. The Students’ Union enhances the undergraduate student experience through 250+ clubs and associations, numerous programming and services committees, countless volunteer opportunities, and many awesome events hosted throughout the school year, making it the perfect place to get involved on campus.
Stay connected on Instagram:
- All undergraduate students: @yourstudentsunion
- Brantford undergraduate students: @campuslifebrantford
- Waterloo undergraduate students: @campuslifewaterloo
Graduate Students' Association
As a graduate student, you are automatically a member of the Graduate Students’ Association (or GSA for short) and can take advantage of the numerous supports, services, and opportunities – ranging from wellness and academic success initiatives to all the ways you can get involved through paid and unpaid positions – designed to help you have an outstanding graduate student experience.
Student Experience
The Student Experience team, based in Student Affairs, is here to help all students thrive outside the classroom by:
- Hosting exciting events and legacy experiences.
- Supporting community-building and overall wellness promotion.
- Offering tailored supports for a variety of student groups.
- Providing leadership experiences.
Think of the Student Experience department as your campus hub for social support – a go-to for campus engagement, connecting to other campus services, and everything in between!
Get Student Experience programming updates on Instagram: @studentlifeatlaurier