Moving In

Your first week at Laurier is coming up soon and we've rounded up all the information you need to have a successful move-in. From what to pack to when you're moving in, we've got you covered to make your first days in residence the best they can be.

To have a successful move-in:

Prepare for residence by reviewing our what and what not to pack checklist.
Check your move-in date by residence and residence communities.
Complete the mandatory room condition report on move-in day.
Learn what you can expect during your first days in residence.

Prepare for Residence

Use our packing checklists so you know what you need to bring with you and what you can leave at home.

What to Pack

You should pack the following:

Mattress topper, bed linens, pillow, and comforter;
Alarm clock;
Robe and slippers;
Desk lamp (no halogen bulbs);
Headphones for personal audio/equipment;
Power bar with surge protection (must be certified for use in Canada);
Personal recreation equipment (roller blades, football, frisbee, etc.);
Computer;
Laundry basket and detergent;
Clothes hangers;
Shower curtain/hooks (for those living in apartment-style residence buildings);
Personal toiletries and toilet paper;
Personal-sized garbage and recycling bin (for apartment-style bedrooms only; kitchen recycling bins are provided in the apartment)
Cleaning supplies; and
Kitchen items (see below for notes on kitchen items).

What Not to Pack

Items not permitted in residence:

3M hooks (off brand or dollar store hooks are also not permitted);
“Large speakers” and “big” stereo systems;
Subwoofers for computer sound systems;
Amplifiers;
Pets (for more information, see Inclusivity and Accommodations in Residence);
Candles and incense;
Draperies;
Halogen lighting of any kind;
Heaters and heat lamps;
Personal air conditioning unit;
LED light strips (as these remove the paint);
Stick-on wall calendar, whiteboards, mirrors etc. that cannot be adhered with WLU-provided mounting tape;
Furniture from home, including couches, beds, bean-bag chairs, mattresses, etc. (You are permitted to bring your own office/desk chair.);
Storage shelves/cabinets (All rooms have dressers/closets for storage.)
Beer bottles and cooler bottles;
Electrical outlet wall tap (octopus plug);
Noise-cancelling headphones; and
Drinking paraphernalia (e.g. funnels, beer pong tables, etc.).

Insurance on Your Belongings

Property and liability insurance will be provided for all students living in residence and is included as part of the student’s residence fees:

This insurance will cover the student’s personal belongings and protect the student against loss or damage that they may be liable for.
Insurance coverages provided through this program are $10,000 contents coverage, $1,000,000 personal liability coverage and $2,500 additional living expenses.

For students who maintain their own insurance throughout their residency, the coverage provided by this program is primary and any personal policy will sit in excess. The student will receive a policy in their name outlining the coverages provided under the program and will be provided a website address where they can access the policy wording.

Move-In Day

Make sure you check your move-in day schedule to find out when your moving date is, and don't forget to complete the mandatory room condition report.

Room Condition Report

Make sure you complete the mandatory room condition report at the time of move-in.

When you move out, damages will be assessed based on the condition of your room/apartment at move-in, as indicated in your mandatory room condition report. If you did not complete your room condition report upon move-in, you will be found responsible for all damages assessed in your space.

Move-In Day Schedules

Residence move-in at the Waterloo campus will take place on Friday, Aug. 29 to Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. At the Brantford campus, move-in will take place on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025.

Your move-in day and timeslot will depend on which building and community you have been assigned to. Detailed move-in schedules will be posted in early August

Information about the move-in process and reminders of your residence room assignment, including your community, is provided in your fall move-in information email.

Brantford Move-In Schedule

The schedule will be posted in August.

Waterloo Move-In Schedule

The schedule will be posted in August.

What to Expect

Move-in week can be both exciting and overwhelming. We're here to help you be prepared for what you can expect during your first few days in residence.

Community Meeting

Community meetings are held by the Residence Life Dons to welcome and introduce you to other students in your residence community. It's an opportunity to meet your new floor-mates and also learn more about what your year will look like.

Dons will go over our residence policies in detail, as well as remind you to complete and answer any questions about your online check-in form.

Contribute to the Community Fund

If you are in a Residence Learning Community or Residence Learning Cluster, you will be asked to contribute $40 to your community fund. This one-time payment is managed by the community to facilitate events, programs and purchase items for community use.

Participate in Orientation

Orientation is an amazing experience and a great way to transition into your next stage of life here at Laurier.

Be sure to connect with your icebreaker(s) to learn about all the exciting programming we have to offer and get involved. Laurier is known for student engagement and O-Week is a great place to start. Enjoy your week.

Review the Policies and Procedures

We want you to enjoy life in residence this year, but it's also important to review the policies and procedures to keep things safe for you and your fellow students, and to avoid paying fees for damages.

You'll find information like:

What to do if you lose or forget your keys.
Room checks. Did you know that these not only happen during your move-in and move-out days, but they also happen during fall and winter reading weeks? Your don will let you know when they are entering your room.
Reporting damages.
Tip: Make sure you report your damages as they happen, so you aren't footed with a bill on move-out day for unreported damages.
The code of conduct and how to follow it.

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