COVID-19 Residence FAQS

Updated Sept. 10, 2020

Laurier will continue to offer most courses online and virtually for the 2020/21 academic year. We continue to work together to identify aspects of programs and activities we can deliver in person, as aligned with public health requirements.

Details will continue to evolve and we will provide updates as information becomes available on the Remote Learning Hub.

Should I Apply For Residence In The Fall?

We are accepting residence applications for both our Waterloo and Brantford campuses for the September 2020-April 2021 academic year.

As we plan for Fall 2020, 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 2020, 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.

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.

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 winter 2021 term, Laurier has made concrete plans for the fall 2020 term. First-year students don’t need to be physically present in Waterloo or Brantford this fall because all classes, tutorials and labs will be delivered online or virtually and students will not be required to attend in person. Read more about Laurier’s plans for the fall term.

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 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.

Will Students In Residence Have Meal Plans? Will Dining Facilities Be Open?

The university is working to establish dining plans for students in residence that are catered to specific residence styles and respect physical distancing guidelines. Our strategy, which will include enhanced and expanded take-out options and a mobile ordering platform, will put the needs of students in residence first.

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.

Will There Be Multiple Students In Apartment-Style Residences?

Every student living in residence this fall will have their own bedroom. Students assigned to apartment-style residences will share kitchen and bathroom amenities with other students living in the same apartment. The Department of Residence is reducing the number of students in larger apartments to facilitate physical distancing.

Will I Be Charged More Now That I'll Be Staying In A Single Room?

Information for all single rooms in dorm- and apartment-style buildings can be found on the Fees page. Residence is reviewing the pricing structure for rooms that are being converted from shared double occupancy to single occupancy for the 2020/21 school year to determine an appropriate fee for these re-configured accommodations. We will update the Residence website by early July with information about changes to room prices for rooms that have been converted from shared double to single occupancy. The residence fees listed are charged per term.

Can I Have A Guest Help Me Move In Or Out?

In an effort to protect the health and safety of residence students, the Department of Residence will not be permitting guests in residence buildings. However, we recognize that students need assistance moving in to and out of residence. We will therefore permit one guest per resident during your assigned move-in and move-out times. Your guest must wear a non-medical mask at all times.

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

If you no longer wish to live in residence for the fall term or the full 2020/21 academic year (both the Fall and Winter terms), we’re asking that you please let us know by emailing housing@wlu.ca by June 9 at 4 p.m. Please include your first and last name as well as your Laurier student ID.

We recognize that you may have been told that there was no cancellation deadline. Please accept our apologies for the confusion. Physical distancing guidelines require us to only allow one student per room. With fewer rooms available as a result, knowing how many students would like to live in residence this fall will be necessary to help us plan. For those who want to keep their application active for the 2020-2021 academic year, please check your inbox often for further information, including an amended residence hall agreement. If you cancel your residence application after June 9 at 4 p.m., a $600 charge will be placed directly in your student account. This amount represents the residence deposit that is typically required when students apply for residence, but was waived during the current application process.