Inclusivity and Accommodations in Residence

Diversity Statement

Laurier acknowledges and respects the richness and diversity of all members of our community and values their contributions to every aspect of university life. The Department of Residence strives to affirm people of all genders and sexual orientations; persons from diverse backgrounds, origins, and religions; persons with disabilities; Indigenous persons; racialized persons; and other marginalized groups, as contributing to the vitality of the Laurier community.

The Department of Residence application and room placement process reflects this belief. In doing so, we embed commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in every aspect of the Residence experience. The Department of Residence Code of Conduct is aligned with the policies and guidelines captured within institutional documents such as the Residence Agreement, the Gendered and Sexual Violence Policy, and the Non-Academic Code of Conduct.

Mixed-Gender Housing

We are proud to offer mixed-gender housing for students who are interested in living in these communities. In our mixed-gender communities, gender identity or assigned biological sex is not considered during the placement process and students are placed with other students who identify as a variety of genders including, but not limited to cisgender male, cisgender female, trans, non-binary, genderqueer, and two spirit.

Campus Accessibility

We are committed to creating a barrier-free environment for everyone, including persons with disabilities, while studying, visiting or working. As part of this commitment, we offer a variety of services and supports to create an accessible Laurier.

Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The Centre for Student Equity, Diversity and Inclusion works to cultivate a culture on campus that respects and promotes equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI) and social justice in all aspects of Laurier – from classrooms to residence communities. The Centre provides support, education and spaces for students to find community and engage in equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Medical and Disability-Related Accommodations

Laurier's Department of Residence strives to create inclusive communities and provide housing options that accommodates the needs of persons living with documented medical needs and disabilities.

If you require accommodations in residence based upon a documented disability and/or medical condition, you must submit a Residence Disability/Medical Accommodation Request Application. This application is available in the online residence portal.

Within this application is a Disability/Medical Accommodation Supporting Documentation Form that you will need to download and have completed by your health care professional. Once completed, you will upload this form back into the Residence Disability/Medical Accommodation Request Application prior to submitting the application. Your completed application, together with the supporting documentation form, must be received in the Department of Residence by the deadline noted within the application.

Note: Requesting accommodations in residence does not automatically register you with Accessible Learning (AL) for academic accommodations. To qualify for academic accommodations, you must register directly with AL. For more information, please visit the Accessible Learning website.

Service Animal Accommodations

Note: By definition, Service Animal includes what was formerly known as an emotional support animal.

For incoming students who are applying for residence and require a service animal, they are required to register with Accessible Learning.

Accessible Learning will advise the Department of Residence once the registration process has been completed.

The Department of Residence will then follow up with the student regarding completion of the Residence Service Animal Agreement.

The registration process with Accessible Learning and completion of the Residence Service Animal Agreement with the Department of Residence must be completed prior to the service animal being brought into residence. Therefore, students should begin the registration process with Accessible Learning as early as possible.

Dietary Needs and Preferences

Food Services is able to accommodate many dietary needs such as allergies or food intolerances, vegetarian, vegan, no gluten, halal and prescribed diets. Feel free to contact Food Services with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your dietary requirements.