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Whether you commute from out of town, live with family, or moved to off-campus student housing, the Laurier Off-Campus University Students (LOCUS) program is here to connect you to the campus community.
The LOCUS program at our Brantford, Milton and Waterloo campuses work specifically to support our first-year off-campus students (including mature and transfer students) with events, upper-year student mentors and provide opportunities to get involved.
We are here to support you right from Orientation to the end of your first year! Connect with other incoming students who are living off-campus during our LOCUS Welcome Days on Aug. 31 in Waterloo and Brantford. Join us for a day of fun activities, get to know the Laurier campus and make connections with other students.
LOCUS is a free program for all first-year off-campus students that provides academic, social, and personal support to ensure you don't miss Laurier’s on-campus experience. Just like a residence floor has a residence don to guide and mentor their first-year students, off-campus first-year students have off-campus advisors (OCAs).
There are so many ways to get involved on campus through LOCUS:
All LOCUS students will also receive reminders to their @mylaurier.ca email account.
Looking to get involved as an upper-year student? Consider our work and volunteer positions to help support our incoming first-year students.
Each residence building and LOCUS are assigned a mascot as part of the FYLP. The mascot for the LOCUS program is a lynx. When you join LOCUS, we like to say that you have joined the Lynx Pack.
LOCUS provides a fantastic opportunity for you to meet other off-campus students, learn about Laurier through engaging events, and have a mentor for you to ask about all things Laurier!
Starting in September, our off-campus advisors (OCAs) will facilitate a variety of events throughout the year which will be focused on building connections, meeting new people, academic success, student wellness, and/or getting to know the campus and surrounding community.
We're always looking for event ideas. If there is something that you really want to do during your first year at Laurier, let an OCA know and we'll try to make it happen.
Social: Our social events are focused on helping you build connections, meet other first-year students and create lasting friendships.
Some events that we host include game and trivia nights, open gym, karaoke, SkyZone, and fantasy sports.
Community and Campus Integration: Discover the city you're living in and connect with various campus groups through events like campus trivia or bingo nights, skating in the community or eating at a local eatery.
Personal Well-Being: Destress and prioritize your well-being with events like yoga and meditation, or cooking classes. The Wellness Education team also hosts events throughout the year to help you maintain your wellness.
Academic: Connect with academic resources and improve your study habits. Study hours and time management sessions will help you stay on top of your studies, while programs like business pitch competitions and Job Hunting 101 enhance your academic experience and help prepare you for life after Laurier.
Audience: All first-year undergraduate students living off-campus
Date: Wednesday, February 4th, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Peters Building Room P111 | Waterloo Campus
Audience: All first-year undergraduate students living off-campus
Date: Wednesday, February 4th, 2026, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: Peters Building Room P119 | Waterloo Campus
Audience: All first-year undergraduate students living off-campus
Date: Wednesday, February 5th, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: MacDonald House Residence, 24 Lounge | Waterloo Campus
Audience: All first-year undergraduate students living off-campus
Date: Monday, February 9th, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Location: TBA | Waterloo Campus
LOCUS House Council is hosting a Valentine's theme event on February 10th from 1:30-3:30 pm located in the Level 1 Lounge! There will be valentines candy themed painting along with refreshing snow cones and festive candies!🍭💕
Audience: All first-year undergraduate students living off-campus
Date: Tuesday, February 10th, 2026, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location: Level 1 Lounge | Brantford Campus
Hey LOCUS! Join us on our trip to Menchies! We'll be walking over and making Val/Palentines cards for family and friends while we bond over ice cream. We're covering Menchies for the first 10 students who register. Make sure you RSVP!
Audience: All first-year undergraduate students living off-campus
Date: Thursday, February 12th, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Off-Campus Location: Menchies | Waterloo Campus
Join LOCUS for a cozy Valentine’s-themed flower-making event! Students will have the chance to create their own floral arrangements. Step-by-step instructions will be available for a guided experience, or you’re welcome to do your own thing at your own pace. Come and enjoy a creative break from your day
Audience: All first-year undergraduate students living off-campus
Date: Thursday, February 12th, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: Level 1 Lounge (The Nook) | Brantford Campus
It's throwback time! Join us and relieve your days as an imposter. We've got snacks and great vibes, drop in anytime!
Audience: All first-year undergraduate students living off-campus
Date: Tuesday, February 24th, 2026, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Peters Building Room P111 | Waterloo Campus
Dynamic Duos is a Palentine-themed game night where you team up with a friend, roommate, partner, or anyone you choose to compete as a pair. Test your teamwork, communication, and gaming skills in fun challenges for a chance to be crowned the Ultimate Duo, win gift cards, and enjoy snacks provided.
Just bring your duo and come have fun! In case you need help finding a duo, no worries at all, just bring yourself, and we’ll go from there!
Audience: All first-year undergraduate students living off-campus
Date: Tuesday, February 24th, 2026, from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: Level 1 Lounge (The Nook) | Brantford
Audience: All first-year undergraduate students living off-campus
Date: Thursday, February 26th, 2026, from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Peters Building Room P111 | Waterloo Campus
Need a break from studying or just something to keep your hands busy? Join LOCUS for Fidget & Focus, a relaxed DIY fidget toy–making session designed to help you unwind, refocus, and get creative. Drop in to make your own stress balls, fidgets, and sensory tools using a variety of materials - perfect for studying, lectures, or moments when you just need to reset. No experience required, no pressure to stay the whole time - just good vibes, hands-on fun, and a supportive space to connect with other students. All supplies are provided, so just bring yourself (and maybe a friend)! Come fidget, focus, and decompress with LOCUS 🩵
*Available while supplies last, drop-in style
Audience: All first-year undergraduate students living off-campus
Date: Thursday, February 26th, 2026, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: One Market Student Commons | Brantford Campus
A LOCUS Link is a themed LOCUS community where off-campus first-year students who share a common interest, major, or coursework can come together. First-year undergraduate students who are living off-campus (LOCUS students) can express their interest in opting in to one of our LOCUS Links, and one of our team members will reach out to confirm if their placement is accepted.
Each Link is led by upper-year students (Off-Campus Advisors) who are in the same academic field or share the same hobby/interest as the group.
By expressing your interest in joining a LOCUS Link, students can expect to receive numerous programming/events tailored to their Link's theme, the opportunity to connect more frequently and casually with their Link Community, an assigned Off-Campus Advisor (OCA) for more direct mentorship throughout their first year, and more.
The expression of interest form is open on a rolling basis. Students will be placed in Links on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited space is available in each Link. Students can rank more than one choice (if they wish) for the Links available on their campus. Filling out the form earlier is beneficial to increase the chance of there being space available in your first-choice Link.
View the available links below and fill out the form linked here to express your interest.
Are you enrolled in the Bachelor of Social Work program on Laurier's Brantford campus?
Are you passionate about human rights and social justice that empower members of society?
The Social Work (BSW) Link is a program-specific experience offered to Laurier-Brantford students enrolled in their first year of the BSW program and living off-campus. With the guidance of an Off-Campus Advisor, an upper-year BSW student, first-year students will work together throughout the year to build community, focus on the balance of academic and social programming, and connect students to campus and community resources.
The Link’s facilitated programming and learning opportunities are designed to engage likeminded individuals, and develop first-year students by providing tools for success in the program and focus on practice-based learning, which includes the principles of human rights and social justice to empower members of society, particularly those who are disadvantaged by the social dynamics of class, race, gender, age, ability etc.
Highlights:
Whether you're a casual or serial gamer, or a retired one looking to recreate the joys of your childhood, join the LOCUS Gaming Link! We'll be playing games and getting to know other Laurier students all year long; you don't want to miss out!
The Gaming Link is an interest-based experience offered to Laurier-Brantford students in the first year of their undergraduate degree and living off-campus. This Link will be led by an Off-Campus Advisor, an upper-year student with similar interests in online gaming. Students in this Link will be able to meet other first-year students with similar interests and build community through social programming. The Off-Campus Advisor leading the Link is also there to help students focus on finding their work/life balance at university and to provide guidance to the students throughout their first year at Laurier.
Highlights:
Are you a biology, kinesiology, psychology/neuroscience or health sciences student?
Are you a student within the faculty of science with an interest in these topics?
You won’t want to miss joining the Life and Health Sciences Link through the LOCUS program.
As part of this, Links you will be connected with fellow science students to form study groups and attend featured events focusing on your academic discipline, hearing from upper year students and recent alumni.
Highlights:
Are you a first-year student studying business or economics?
As a student in the Business and Economics Link, you’ll be immersed in a close-knit community that takes your learning outside of the classroom. As part of this, Links you will be connected with fellow business students to form study groups and attend featured events focusing on public speaking, pitch preparation and more.
Not sure how to apply for Co-op or make a LinkedIn account? No problem! As part of this Link, you will be able to connect with current students and recent alumni, and be surrounded by people with the same interests, goals, drive, and excitement. Your Links leader and peers are here to help you thrive at Laurier!
Highlights:
Enjoy staying up to date with all the latest sports news? Whether you watch every sport live or have a favourite you tune into when you can, join the LOCUS Sports Entertainment Link!
The Sports Entertainment Link is an interest-based experience offered to Laurier-Waterloo students in the first year of their undergraduate degree and living off-campus. This Link will be led by an Off-Campus Advisor, an upper-year student with similar interests in sports/sports entertainment. Students in this Link will be able to meet other first-year students with similar interests and build community through social programming. The Off-Campus Advisor leading the Link is also there to help students focus on finding their work/life balance at university and to provide guidance to the students throughout their first year at Laurier.
Highlights:
Neelesh Rehal, Coordinator, Off-Campus Initiatives
Location: Arts Building 2A10A
Taylor Holloway, Coordinator, Off-Campus Initiatives
Location: One Market 207-11