COVID-19 Residence FAQS

Updated July 22, 2021

Details will continue to evolve and we will provide updates as information becomes available on wlu.ca/recovery.

Can I Apply For Residence In The Fall?

We are accepting residence applications for both our Waterloo and Brantford campuses for the September 2021-April 2022 academic year.

As we plan for fall 2021, the university will continue to respond to provincial and federal directives related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Residence buildings will remain open and operational, providing these plans meet whatever provincial regulations are in place in the fall.

In the event that physical-distancing requirements reduce our residence capacity for fall 2021, we will make any necessary adjustments during our residence room assignment process. This may impact our residence guarantee*.

The university will notify all applicants if changes are made to our service delivery model that impact the residence guarantee.

*While Laurier endeavours to honour its residence guarantee, the University will not be liable for any failure or delay in providing residential accommodation when such failure arises out of any cause or causes beyond its reasonable control.

How Can We Decide Whether To Live In Residence When There Are Still Many Unknowns?

Though it’s unclear what public health guidelines will be for the fall 2021 term, Laurier has begun making plans for a gradual, phased and safe return to in-person activities on our campuses for fall 2021 and winter 2022 terms.

Given that we anticipate some level of public health measures will still be in place in the fall, Laurier is  planning to offer a mixture of in-person and virtual courses and services. Read more about Laurier’s plans for the fall term.

Should I Sign A Lease For Off-Campus Housing?

For those considering whether to sign a lease for private off-campus housing, this decision is up to each individual. For information about tenant rights, please visit the following resources:

• Ontario government’s webpage on rental rights during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Off-campus housing resources available through the university’s student union.
• The university’s off-campus initiatives page.

What Will Happen If Someone In Residence Has A Confirmed Or Presumed Case Of Covid-19?

The Department of Residence is putting together a strict quarantine procedure in line with public health requirements, which will be put in place if a student or staff member in residence has a confirmed or presumed case of COVID-19. This procedure will be communicated to you once you’ve moved in.

If There Is An Outbreak And Students In Residence Are Asked To Evacuate, What Should I Do If I Have Nowhere Else To Go?

The health and wellbeing of our community is our top priority and we are following the guidelines set out by public health authorities. We will only evacuate residence buildings if it’s necessary to do so. We would work one-on-one with students who need extra support to ensure everyone has a safe place to live.

What Will The Residence Capacity Be For Fall 2021?

Residence on both the Waterloo and Brantford campuses will have full occupancy in September, including double occupancy dormitory-style rooms.
Students who are assigned to a double room in dormitory-style buildings should expect to have a roommate.

What Safety Measures Are Being Implemented in Residence?

The Department of Residence is committed to the safety of all residents. As such there will be some modifications made to daily life inside the residence buildings for fall 2021. We anticipate being able to relax many of these as public health regulations ease in the Province of Ontario and within the two communities we operate our residence buildings -- Brant County and the Region of Waterloo.

• When in public indoor spaces and outside of their assigned living space, students are required to wear a non-medical mask. Exceptions will only be made with medical documentation.
• Students will be able to participate in in-person, indoor residence programming opportunities as approved by regional public health and in accordance with space capacities.
• Outdoor residence programming opportunities will move forward following provincial and regional health guidelines.
• Students are required to self-report COVID-19 symptoms and/or a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Self-reporting procedures will be communicated to you once you have moved in.
• Students who become infected with COVID-19 (vaccinated or not), may still be required to self-isolate. The Department of Residence will have a strict quarantine procedure in place located in a separate designated residence building. This procedure will be communicated to you once you have moved in.

Students will be required to follow the rules put in place to ensure the health and safety of the community and to maintain their place in residence.

What Is the Guest Policy in Residence For Fall 2021?

Your health and safety is of utmost importance to us. In order to provide a safe residence experience for everyone, we are continuing to adapt our operational procedures in accordance with the guidelines set by public health authorities. Please note that these measures will change as public health recommendations evolve.

• Students are permitted to socialize indoors with members of their own residence floor/community.
• Students can host one guest at a time in their assigned living space, provided the guest is from the same residence floor/community.
• Guests from other residence floors/communities, buildings, or non-residence students are not permitted. University staff are exempt and are required to adhere to strict screening processes and could include custodial, food services, residence, and support staff for students with documented accessibility needs.

What Kind Of Mask Is Acceptable To Use Outside Of My Residence Room?

Please visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website for more information about non-medical masks or face coverings and how to use them. Medical masks, including surgical, medical procedure face masks and respirators (such as N95 masks), must be kept for health-care workers and others providing direct care to COVID-19 patients.

When Will I Find Out Which Residence I Will Live In?

Students who have applied by the deadline will be notified of their residence placement in early August. Please check your MyLaurier email address frequently for updates from Residence and the campus community.

Vaccinations in Residence

Are there exceptions to the mandatory vaccines?

Students in residence who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons or other grounds protected under the Ontario Human Rights Code will be able to submit a request for accommodation. Information about the exemption process will be sent directly to students who want to live in residence.

What is the process to request an exemption?

The application process is being developed and information will be sent directly to students who want to live in residence.

How will students confirm their vaccination status?

Students will be asked to complete a form, attesting whether they have received their vaccination(s).

Can I find out if my roommate has been vaccinated?

The university will not be able to share this information with students.

I am at high risk. Am I able to request a single room or that my roommate be vaccinated?

Unfortunately, no. The process of assigning rooms/roommates has already factored in earlier requests.

Do I need to be fully vaccinated before arriving on campus?

Students are encouraged to be fully vaccinated before arriving on campus, or at least to have their first dose of a Health Canada approved vaccine prior to their move-in date, with Laurier recommending they receive it at least 14 days before moving in.

Those who are unable to get vaccinated before moving in will have one week following their move-in date to receive their first dose, with the university helping to facilitate access to vaccines, subject to supply.

Where can I sign up to get a vaccine?

Students, including international students, who have not received at least their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to register for an appointment through the provincial booking portal. Pharmacy booking information is also available through the portal.

If students are unable to access their second dose prior to arrival Laurier will facilitate access to vaccines for students, subject to supply.

The Student Wellness Centre on Laurier’s Waterloo campus is also hosting COVID-19 immunization clinics for students, faculty and staff throughout the summer and in the fall. Visit the Health and Wellness webpage for more information about the clinics.

The Brant County Health Unit (BCHU) vaccination clinic continues operating at One Market on Laurier’s Brantford campus. Visit the BCHU website for more information.

I have already had COVID-19, do I still need to be vaccinated?

Students who have tested positive for COVID-19 and fully recovered should note this on the vaccination attestation form. The university will consider options to address the vaccination requirement.

Will I get my deposit back if I choose not to live in residence?

Yes.

I will be arriving from overseas. Do I have to quarantine when I arrive? (International students)

Students coming to Canada need to follow all requirements for entering the country, which are updated and amended frequently. Fully vaccinated international travellers may be exempt from quarantine and testing requirements. However, all travellers should have plans in place to quarantine if asked to. Find out requirements for entering Canada and whether you qualify for certain exemptions.

I will be arriving from overseas and have to quarantine. Am I able to get my first dose before going into quarantine? (International students)

No. All individuals required to quarantine must proceed straight to their approved accommodations immediately after arriving in Canada.

My vaccines are currently not approved by Health Canada. Am I able to stay in residence? (International students)

Students who have been fully vaccinated with a vaccine not currently approved by Health Canada should note this on the vaccination attestation form. The university will consider options to address the vaccination requirement.

When Is Residence Move-in Scheduled?

Typically residence registration and move-in occurs over the Labour Day weekend.
Decisions regarding dates and details about the move-in process for fall 2021 are dependent upon the public health guidelines that will be in effect in late August. These guidelines will continue to be monitored throughout the summer months so that a residence move-in process can be finalized prior to room assignments being sent out in early August.

I’m No Longer Interested In Living In Residence. How Can I Withdraw/Cancel My Application?

For the 2021/22 school year, the residence cancellation deadline is June 30, 2021 to be eligible to receive a refund of the $600 residence deposit.

If you no longer wish to live in residence for the 2021/22 academic year (September 2021 to April 2022), you must submit an email to housing@wlu.ca by June 30 at 11:59 p.m. Please include your first and last name as well as your Laurier student ID.

 If you cancel your residence application after June 30 at 11:59 p.m., you will not receive a refund of the $600 residence deposit that you paid when you applied for residence.