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See Residence Buildings

If you want to know what residence really looks like, find them on our interactive campus maps:

• Brantford
• Waterloo

Residence Buildings

Are there any residence buildings off-campus?

Yes. A few residence buildings are located off-campus in Waterloo. In Waterloo, our University Place is the furthest residence building from campus - approximately a five-minute walk to campus.

In Brantford, all residence buildings are interwoven into our downtown campus. No residence building is more than a five-minute walk to all campus amenities.

Learn more about all residence buildings.

Can transfer students apply for residence?

Yes, transfer students can apply to live in residence; however, if you’ve previously attended another postsecondary institution, you’re considered a senior student. The majority of our residence spaces are reserved for first-year undergraduate students.

Senior students, attending our Waterloo or Brantford campus, may be accommodated in residence if space becomes available after June 1, 2022. If you’re interested in residence, contact the Department of Residence after June 1 to see if any rooms are available. 

• Waterloo: Email housing@wlu.ca or call 519.884.0710 x3236.
• Brantford: Email brantfordresidence@wlu.ca or call 519.756.8228 x5805.

How much does residence cost?

It depends on which residence you’re assigned to. Review the list of residence fees and take a look at the cost of meal plans.

What are residence learning communities?

Living in a residence learning community (RLC) is a great opportunity to meet people with similar interests, programs or coursework. In an RLC, it’s never difficult to find someone to study with or to compare course notes.

You can also apply to live in a themed environment (Waterloo) or a Learning Cluster (Brantford).

Application Process

We guarantee residence* to all undergraduate students attending a postsecondary institution for the first time. Applications must have been received before June 1, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.

Can you request certain residence buildings?

No. When applying to residence, you can select your preference for the style of building (dormitory-style or apartment-style) and type of room (single or shared double).

Should I apply for dormitory-style or apartment-style?

It depends on your personality and the experience you want to have. Here’s some information about each style to help you make a decision:

Apartment-style

• You have access to a shared kitchen so you can prepare your own meals. A meal plan is still required, but the cost is much less than if you’re in a dormitory-style residence building.
• You have a shared living room to hang out with friends and apartment-mates.
• In Waterloo, some apartment-style buildings are a five-minute walk to campus. In Brantford, apartment-style residence buildings are only steps from many city and campus amenities.
• Apartment-style residence rooms have various washroom configurations. You could have your own ensuite washroom or share a bathroom with only one or two other people.

Dormitory-style

• At the Waterloo campus, most dormitory-style buildings are within campus boundaries. You’re only steps away from class, the gym and the dining hall.
• Each dormitory-style residence has a common lounge so students in the same community can get together to study, make a snack using the kitchenette, or hang out.

How are residence rooms assigned? How does the residence lottery work?

At Laurier, residence rooms are assigned on a lottery basis, using preferences you select in the online residence application. Your placement depends on the demand for residence style and room type in any given year.

First, you participate in a lottery for your first preference. If you don’t receive your first choice, you will participate in another lottery for your second preference. If you don’t receive your second choice, you will be placed in an available residence room. Due to the demand for a particular residence preference and the number of rooms available, you may not receive an assignment in one of your selected preferences.

Typically, there is a greater demand for "dormitory-style, semi-private rooms" and "apartment-style, single rooms" than the number of rooms available.

Am I guaranteed to get the style of residence I list as my first preference?

There is no guarantee you will be placed in either of your two preferences. That’s why Laurier uses a lottery system – it’s the fairest system to give everyone a chance at getting a room that aligns with one of their preferences.

What is the probability of getting my first choice for residence?

The likelihood of being placed in your first choice of residence room style depends on the number of students who also request the same residence preference. Typically, there is a greater demand for single rooms in both dormitory- and apartment-styles.

Can I choose my roommate or bathroom-mate?

You can request to live with a friend by forming a roommate group within the online residence application system. Detailed information about forming a roommate group can be found under the “Roommate Groups” section of the application. There are some very important rules on that page, so please ensure your roommate group follows all of the roommate group rules listed.

If you form a roommate group, you cannot select the following style as your first residence preference:

• Dormitory-style, semi-private
• Dormitory-style, traditional, single room

If I’m not sure if I’m going to Laurier, should I fill out the residence application or wait for an offer?

If you would like to live in residence at Laurier, you should apply. All students who apply by the residence application deadline will be considered equally throughout the room assignment lottery process. 

The deadline to cancel your submitted application to be eligible to receive a refund of your $600 residence deposit is June 1, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. To cancel, please send an email to housing@wlu.ca with your nine-digit Laurier Student ID confirming that you would like to cancel your residence application.

When do I find out what residence I will live in?

For students who submit by the June 1 application deadline, residence room assignments will be sent to your @mylaurier.ca email account in late July.

When are rooms assigned?

Residence room lotteries begin immediately after the deadline and are completed in late July.

When do I find out who my roommates are?

Due to privacy reasons and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act or (FIPPA), we cannot give you the name or contact information of your roommate(s).

In the interest of the safety and security of our students, we ask that you refrain from publicly sharing personal information such as room assignment information on social media. You’ll meet your roommates on move-in day!

What size are the beds?

The majority of beds in residence are a standard twin-sized bed, with mattress dimensions: 74” x 36” x 6”.

Subject to availability, students who are 193 cm (6'4") or taller can request a longer bed. There are a limited number of twin extra-long beds, with mattress dimensions: 80” x 36” x 6”.

Each residence room comes with a bed frame, mattress, desk, chair, bookshelves, closet, wastebasket and recycling bin.

Personalizing Your Room

What can I bring with me to residence?

You’re welcome to bring whatever you need to feel at home. Be sure to review the list of suggested items to pack. Also, take a look the list of prohibited items – leave your loud speakers at home.

What can I use to decorate my room? Can I put tape on the walls?

You can definitely hang items on the walls — make your room your own! However, decorations must not present a fire hazard due to their size or material, and they cannot exceed more than 20% of the wall and ceiling space.

We will provide you with hanging materials when you move in. If you use other adhesives or tape, you risk doing damage to the wall. Any damages will be invoiced to you upon checkout at the end of the year.

What if I have more questions?

Contact the Department of Residence at housing@wlu.ca if you have any questions.

*Residence Guarantee Disclaimer

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.

Such causes may include but are not limited to fire, strike, lock-out, inability to procure materials or trades, war, mass-casualty event, flood, local, regional or global outbreak of disease or other public health emergency, social distancing or quarantine restriction, legislative or regulatory requirements, severe weather event, failure of public utility or common carrier, or attacks or other malicious act, including but not limited to cyber attacks on or through the internet, or any internet service, telecommunications provider or hosting facility (an “Emergency” or the “Emergencies”).

The University will use reasonable efforts to provide advance notice to students if an Emergency prevents it from following through with the residence guarantee. There shall be no compensation in any form whatsoever as a result of Emergencies or other circumstances which are beyond the University’s control.