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COVID-19 Residence FAQS

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Updated January 19, 2022

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 Winter?

We are accepting residence applications for both our Waterloo and Brantford campuses for the Winter 2022 academic term (January - April 2022).

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.

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:

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

The Department of Residence has developed 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.

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 the Winter 2022 Term?

Residence on both the Waterloo and Brantford campuses will have full occupancy, 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 have been some modifications made to daily life inside the residence buildings.

  • 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 has a strict quarantine procedure in place. 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?

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. Our modified guest policy is outlined below. Please note that these measures will change as public health recommendations evolve.

  • Students are permitted to host one guest at a time in their assigned living space, provided the guest is a resident in a building operated by Laurier’s Department of Residence and that both parties are adhering to current Public Health guidelines (i.e. wearing a mask, capacity limits).
  • External guests to a building are not permitted. This includes students from other residence buildings and/or non-residence students. 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.
  • Residents are responsible for the behaviour of their guest at all times. Therefore, guests must be accompanied at all times by their host. If a guest violates a policy, the host may be held responsible as though the host violated that policy. Residents are also responsible for any violations of the Residence Code of Conduct that takes place in their assigned living space, whether or not they are present.

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.

Is Residence Guaranteed for the Winter 2022 Term?

Residence is not guaranteed for the winter 2022 term.

Our ability to accommodate students in residence is dependent upon rooms that have become available throughout the academic year as a result of cancellations.

When Will I Find Out Which Residence I Will Live In for the Winter 2022 Term?

Applications received for the winter term will be processed on an ongoing basis and students will be notified as quickly as possible.

Please check your MyLaurier email address frequently for updates from Residence and the campus community.

Vaccinations in Residence

 The University requires all students, staff and faculty to be fully vaccinated to attend campus. This means that all students living in residence must meet the requirements of the university’s mandatory vaccination policy. This decision reflects Laurier’s continued efforts to focus on the health and safety of the university community amid the ongoing risks of COVID-19. More information is available through Vaccinations Requirement FAQs.

When Is Residence Move-in Scheduled for the Winter 2022 Term?

Students who are moving into residence for the winter term are able to pick up their keys and move into residence on Wednesday January 26th and Thursday January 27th, from 9 a.m. - 12 noon and 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Detailed instructions will be included in your room assignment letter.

I’m No Longer Interested In Living In Residence. How Can I Withdraw/Cancel My Application for the Winter 2022 Term?

For students applying for residence for the winter 2022 term, the residence cancellation deadline is January 31, 2022.

If you no longer wish to live in residence, you must submit an email to housing@wlu.ca by the stated deadline. Please include your first and last name as well as your nine-digit Laurier student ID number.

If you cancel your residence application after January 31, 2022, you will be charged the $600 residence deposit that had been initially waived during the application process.