Renison Residence | Renison Student Experience and Housing

If you lived at Renison, you would be home by now.

Renison University College is one of the closest residences to your classes at Waterloo and has one of the largest meal plans.

Supporting an intimate community more than 200 residents every year, along with the lowest don-to-student ratio of 1:22, Renison has a unique environment that current residents describe as "close-knit community, friendly and fun".

If you are looking for a place to find life-long friendships you will find it at Renison.

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Students painting pots at a Succulents and Ice Cream Social event

What's great about Renison Residence?

Lots! Here's some quick facts...

We have the lowest Student-to-Don ratio at the University of Waterloo (1:22 students), meaning you have lots of support available to adjust to university life
Access to our Student Experience & Housing team for support in navigating residence and university life, including senior Residence Dons, upper-year Peer Leaders, Chaplain, Housing Manager, Student Experience Coordinators, Assistant Director, and Student Advisor!
Access to exclusive financial awards and bursaries available only for Renison residents
Fully renovated rooms with extra storage, new furnishings, and lighting
Our very own Lusi Wong Library with bookable group study rooms, cozy study spaces, and access to the Tri-University drop-off and distribution centre to help you with your study needs
Conveniently located on the University of Waterloo campus and only a short 5-minute walk from most classroom buildings
25% of beds are interconnecting suites with semi-private baths and central air

We also have...

Laundry Facilities on site

that are conveniently connected to your WatCard student card (no need to save quarters!)

Wireless Internet Access

through the University of Waterloo's Eduroam Wi-Fi service

Games Room

with foosball, ping pong, billiards table, and access to tons of board games (we call it our Moose Room!)

Social Lounges with Large-Screen TVs

that are popular for movie nights, Smash Bros tournaments, and sports games!

Quiet Study Areas

including our very own Lusi Wong Library!

Mail & Package Service

provided by our Moose Tracks Connection Desk!

Multi-Faith Prayer Space

to allow you to practice your faith, in addition to our St. Bede's Chapel open to all students

Jam-packed Events Calendar

so you will always have something to do when you have free time, and an easy way to make new friends (just check out our Events and Workshops page!)

Access to Pianos & Music Jams

including regular coffee house music nights, music jam sessions, and places where you can practice your own musical instruments

...and much more to be proud to call Renison your home away from home!

Learn more about your Residence Experience...

Here's more reasons why...

Don to resident ratio

At one don for every nineteen students, we have the lowest don to resident ratio on the Waterloo campus. This means that you will have plenty of upper-year students to help you navigate university life in your first year.

What exactly is a don?

Our Dons are upper year students who have been trained extensively in first aid, fire safety, communication skills, dealing with roommate conflicts, and handling disciplinary problems.

The dons work very hard at making a close knit community on their floor. They plan many activities and have an open door policy.

Roommates

When you live in Renison Residence, you will be asked to share your hobbies and interests with us before you move into residence. This will allow us to match you with a roommate who shares common hobbies and interests!

Here are Margaret and Nikita talking about what it is like to have a roommate at Renison.

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Living-Learning Communities

Renison is home to the Social Developmental Studies (SDS), Warrior Academic Leadership Community (WALC), and Bridge to Academic Success in English (BASE) Living-Learning Communities. This is an academically supported living arrangement where these students benefit from specialized peer leader support, as well as workshops, events, and study sessions specifically for them.

At Renison, your friends, roommates, and classmates are all rolled into one, which means you'll get the best of both worlds. You'll find a small, caring place to call home that will help you focus on your studies.

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Let us tell you about the application process!

Incoming First-Year Students	Upper-Year Students and Exchange Students
Applying from February 1 to June 3, 2024 Once you have decided to attend the University of Waterloo, the next step is choosing where you will live in your first year. Renison works closely with the University of Waterloo (including Campus Housing and the University Colleges) to ensure all first-year students who apply for on-campus housing before June 3, 2024 will have a guaranteed place in our residences. Step one: It is important to research our residence communities by visiting our virtual open houses, booking your own visit, reviewing brochures and websites. Step two: Once you have decided that Renison is the right place for you, visit the First-Year Guarantee Residence Application by June 3, 2024 to rank your communities (Campus Housing, St. Jerome’s University, United College, or Renison University College) by preference. To live at Renison, rank us as your number 1 choice! Step three: In the month of June you will be notified if you have been placed at Renison. You will then be asked to complete an online form by a specified date to indicate your room preferences. Once completed, you’ll be a Renison resident! *Applying after June 3* To apply after June 3, please complete the Renison Residence online application form.	Please apply directly to Renison through our online application form.

Incoming First-Year Students

Upper-Year Students and Exchange Students

Applying from February 1 to June 3, 2024

Once you have decided to attend the University of Waterloo, the next step is choosing where you will live in your first year. Renison works closely with the University of Waterloo (including Campus Housing and the University Colleges) to ensure all first-year students who apply for on-campus housing before June 3, 2024 will have a guaranteed place in our residences.

Step one: It is important to research our residence communities by visiting our virtual open houses, booking your own visit, reviewing brochures and websites.
Step two: Once you have decided that Renison is the right place for you, visit the First-Year Guarantee Residence Application by June 3, 2024 to rank your communities (Campus Housing, St. Jerome’s University, United College, or Renison University College) by preference. To live at Renison, rank us as your number 1 choice!
Step three: In the month of June you will be notified if you have been placed at Renison. You will then be asked to complete an online form by a specified date to indicate your room preferences. Once completed, you’ll be a Renison resident!

Applying after June 3

To apply after June 3, please complete the Renison Residence online application form.

Please apply directly to Renison through our online application form.

Do you still have questions?

We welcome you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions webpage. You can also send us an email at ren-res@uwaterloo.ca and our Student Experience & Housing team will get back to you right away.