Campus Housing move-in guide

CAMPUS HOUSING MOVE-IN GUIDE

We understand that moving into residence can be both exciting and overwhelming. This guide will help you understand how to arrive and settle into your new home on campus.ÌýÌý

Jump to: Move-in days and important events | Check-in, parking, and maps | What to pack | Tips for a sustainable move-in | What to eat | Frequently Asked Questions | Resources and key contacts | Move-in checklistÌý

Move-in days and important events

Move-in weekend

Fall 2025 move-in happens from Thursday August 28 to Sunday August 31, and you are required to book a 30-minute move-in time slot, which are spread out throughout the move-in period. You will have 30 minutes to pick up your keys and unload your vehicle, but you have as much time as you need to move in all your belongings!  There will be volunteer support to help you.Ìý
Ìý

Belongings only early drop off:

Students assigned to live in Village 1 South and West or Woolwich Court South have the option to drop off your belongings before move-in begins on August 28. This pilot program allows you to avoid the move-in crowds and move most of your belongings into your room on August 14 or 16. Note that you cannot start living in your room until the regular move-in starts on August 28.Ìý

You can register for a belongings-only early drop off date and time through the move-in time slot process above. Ìý

Important events

Orientation check-in begins on Saturday, August 30 in the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Centre (SLC) Great Hall. for your event schedule in late August.Ìý

Residence community meetings start on Sunday, August 31 - join to get to know your Don and floormates and learn what to expect over the next few weeks.Ìý

Jump to: Move-in days and important events | Check-in, parking, and maps | What to pack | Tips for a sustainable move-in | What to eat | Frequently Asked Questions | Resources and key contacts | Move-in checklistÌý

Check-in, parking, and maps

Check-in

Once you arrive, head to your residence’s key pick-up location (identified on your move-in map) while your vehicle proceeds to the unloading zone. At the front desk, share your UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ student ID number and show your government-issued photo identification (ID) to pick up your room key.

Examples of acceptable ID: Examples of unacceptable ID:Ìý
  • WatCard (your student card)Ìý
  • PassportÌý
  • Driver’s licenceÌý
  • Health card (with photo)Ìý
  • Photos or printed copies of your IDÌý
  • ID without a photoÌý

Parking

Unload your vehicle at your residence’s unloading zone; however, do not leave your vehicle there unattended. As soon as the vehicle is unloaded, the driver can head to our free parking lots where they can leave their car for as long as it takes for you to finish moving.Ìý Ìý

Due to the high volume of traffic in unloading zones, vehicles found obstructing move-in traffic flow or parked in emergency/fire routes will be ticketed or towed. Ìý

If you will have a student parking permit for the fall term, you will be required to park in Lot X or Lots C until September 2.  Ìý

Maps

Columbia Lake Village

You can drive up, pick up your keys from the key pick-up tent and you will be directed to the unloading zone for your townhouse. The parking lot will have spots available for you to park.ÌýÌý

CLV undergraduate move-in map. Key pick up is in the community center. There is temporary parking for key pick up in the parking lot to the left of the community center.

The Villages (Ron Eydt Village, Village 1, Mackenzie King Village)

You will drive to the appropriate unloading zone. Your move-in companions will remove items from the car while you, the student, will walk to the appropriate front desk to pick-up your keys. Cars will not be allowed to park in the unloading zones and will be directed to Lot X for free parking once all belongings are unloaded.Ìý

Village 1

Village 1 move-in map

Mackenzie King VillageÌý

Mackenzie King village move-in map

Ron Eydt VillageÌý

Ron Eydt Village Move-in Map

UW Place and Claudette Millar Hall (UWP and CMH)

Enter through the Seagram entrance of UW Place, turn left, and stop just before reaching CMH. While you are getting your keys, your driver will head to the unloading zone and you can meet them there once you have your keys. Cars will not be allowed to park in the unloading zones and will be directed to Lot A or Lot C for free parking once all belongings are out of the car.  Ìý

UW Place/Claudette Millar Hall Move-in Map

Minota Hagey

Minota Hagey does not have a front desk so you will drive to the unloading zone for Village 1. Leave your belongings in your car while the student goes to pick up your keys from the Village 1 front desk. Proceed to Minota Hagey to unload your belongings.  Ìý

Minota Hagey Move-in Map

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What to pack

You may be wondering what to bring (and what  not  to bring!) to your traditional- or suite-style residence. Below are some examples of what to pack and what not to pack:

What to bring (all residences):

  • Government-issued or university-issued photo ID – this is the most important thing. We can’t let you into your room without seeing photo ID.ÌýÌý
  • School suppliesÌýÌý
  • Appliances and electronicsÌý
  • ClothingÌý
  • Things to stay clean (toiletries, laundry detergent, cleaning supplies)ÌýÌý
  • BeddingÌý

What to bring if you live in a suite/apartment:Ìý

  • Dishes, including cutlery, knives, and utensilsÌý

  • Pots and pansÌý
  • Cleaning supplies (garbage bags, all-surface cleaner)Ìý
  • Toilet paperÌý
  • Reusable containers with lidsÌý

It's a good idea to talk to your suitemates first and decide who can bring what. You don't want to end up with 2 televisions and 4 microwaves! Ìý

What not to bring:

  • Bottled water: there are water refill stations in every residence building, so help avoid unnecessary plastic waste on campus.Ìý
  • Candles or incenseÌý
  • Your own furniture (University-provided furniture cannot be removed from  the room; you can bring a small table or desk chair only)Ìý
  • Your own mattress (unless authorized through the accessibility process)ÌýÌý
  • Air conditionerÌýÌý

ÌýForgot something? ShopÌýdorm essentials plus school and organization suppliesÌýin W Store located in South Campus Hall or online atÌýÌý

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Tips for a sustainable move-in

If purchasing items, buy them at home and pack them into reusable bins or bring them unboxed. This will also help you avoid the long lines and empty shelves at the big box stores during move-in weekend.Ìý

Storing reusable bins in your dorm room also makes moving out a breeze!Ìý

Check out our upcycle event during move-in, running in the UWP Grand Commons on Thursday, August 28 to Sunday, August 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., where we give away items (for free!) that were donated or recovered from previous terms' move out, while supplies last.Ìý

Learn about waste sorting on campus and in residence. ÌýWe have five waste streams to help divert as much waste as possible from the landfill: Ìý

  • Recycling (e.g., cans, bottles, milk cartons/juice boxes, coffee lids)Ìý
  • Paper (e.g., paper shopping/take-out bags, coffee cups)Ìý
  • Organics (e.g., all food scraps, compostable containers)Ìý
  • Cardboard (e.g., pizza boxes, tissue/cereal boxes)Ìý
  • Garbage (e.g., plastic straws, plastic bags, chip bags, styrofoam)Ìý

We also have e-waste and battery disposal in residence.ÌýÌý

  • Figure out how to get around campus and the city sustainably: from rentable e-scooters, bringing a bike from home, and using your WatCard as a local transit pass, there are lots of ways to get around.Ìý
  • Curious about the sustainability features on campus? Check the Campus Sustainability Map for water bottle refill stations, EV charging stations, green spaces, and e-waste or battery drop-off locations.Ìý
  • Passionate about sustainability? Get involved with the Green Residence Ambassadors to build leadership skills and experience, support sustainable behaviours across the residence community, and provide feedback to the University on housing sustainability.Ìý

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What to eat

Campus Housing meal plans are offered by 2025 À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ. Cafeterias are in Claudette Millar Hall (CMH), Ron Eydt Village (REV), and Village 1 (V1).Ìý

In addition to eating in any of the 3 residence cafeterias, there areÌý 25+ 2025 À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ locations around campus where you can use your meal plan, including Tim Horton’s, Starbucks, Subway, and more!ÌýÌý

Move-in weekend cafeteria operating times:Ìý

  • The CMH and V1 cafeterias will open on Thursday, August 28 at 11 a.m.Ìý
  • The REV cafeteria will open on Saturday, August 30 at 9 a.m. If you move in before then, the V1 cafeteria is your closest option for food until the REV cafeteria opens.Ìý

Visit the 2025 À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ locations and hours website for more information about on-campus food options and meal plans.Ìý

Do you have concerns about how your meal plan can accommodate your dietary restrictions? Reach out to our Registered Dietitian at foodserv@uwaterloo.ca for advice.ÌýÌý

We offer an eco-container and eco-mug program that encourages sustainable dining on the go. Bring your own reusable mug to the cafeteria to receive a discount on your hot coffee or tea.ÌýLearn more about these eco-friendly food programs.Ìý

Our cafeterias offer many nutritious, plant-based options so choosing vegetarian and vegan options more often are also a great way to eat sustainably.ÌýÌý

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have items mailed to my dorm before I move in?

No! We won’t be able to process it and we’d hate for you to lose your items so please don’t order anything to your residence until you’ve officially moved in.Ìý

Can I move in before August 28?

What if I’m late for my move-in time slot or arrive at night after move-in time slots for the day have ended?

While we encourage you to arrive during your move-in time slot to help us manage traffic, you can move in after your designated time as long as you arrive when your residence’s front desk is open and you have government-issued ID with you.

I want to drop my belongings off early but I don’t live in Village 1 South and West or Woolwich Court South. Can I still participate?

No, only students in those specific residence areas can participate in belongings only early drop off because our other buildings are occupied or not ready until August 28.Ìý

Where do I pay my residence fees?

Residence fees are posted to your Quest account, along with your tuition and program fees. Please check the Student Financial Services website for details.  Ìý

Where can you smoke on campus?

Smoking is permitted on city-owned property only as the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ is a smoke-free campus so smoking is not permitted on any University-owned property or roads. Learn more on the smoke-free campusÌýwebsite.ÌýÌý

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Resources and key contactsÌý

Campus Housing support before you’ve moved in:Ìý

Campus Housing support after you’ve moved in:

Campus resources:Ìý

Follow Campus Housing ()  and UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Life () on Instagram to stay up to date with everything you need to know as we get closer and closer to the fall term. Ìý

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Move-in checklist Ìý

  • Book your move-in time slot through Ìý(available to book starting August 5)
  • Have your government-issued photo-ID, student ID number, and room/building assignment ready to check in efficiently on arrival.ÌýÌý
  • Research what you need to bring after coordinating with your new roommates. Check out our packing list.ÌýÌý
  • Make sure you have personal property/content insurance (you may have existing coverage through a family member’s policy).ÌýÌý
  • Apply for your WatCard (student ID card) by Friday August 15 to pick it up in residence when you get your keys (note you will need another form of government-issued photo ID). If you missed the August 15Ìýdeadline, you can still apply for your WatCard online and pick it up from the Centre in Needles Hall after allowing for one business day processing time.
    • The Centre in Needles Hall will be open during move-in from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Thursday, August 28 toÌýSunday, August 31 and closed onÌýMonday, September 1.Ìý
  • Complete your Residence ExperienceÌýPre-Arrival module on Learn.
  • Don’t forget your government-issued photo-ID! It is the single most important thing you need to get access to your room.Ìý
  • Finish packing and head to campus!Ìý

We're excited to have you join the Campus Housing community! Get ready for an amazing year ahead filled with new experiences, learning and opportunities.

Welcome home Warriors!