The University of Waterloo exercises its statutory jurisdiction and authority with respect to the operation, protection, and control of its property and plant, and the regulation of persons on campus insofar as is necessary to ensure the orderly performance of the University's functions.
The University reserves the right to
- refuse admission or readmission to any applicant who demonstrates behaviours or activities that are inconsistent with the values of the University, as articulated in University Policies and guidelines, and as assessed by the Office of the Registrar, in consultation with the appropriate associate dean, the Secretariat, and Legal and Immigration Services.
- pursue disciplinary action including but without limitation requiring a student to withdraw when a student demonstrates behaviours or activities that are non-compliant with University Policies or guidelines, including but not limited to those related to the safety of the University community; or
- require a student to withdraw from a program or course(s) for academic or other reasons as directed by University Policies, guidelines, or academic regulations.
Access to Academic Programs, Plans, and Courses
The publication of this Calendar does not bind the University to the provision of courses, programs, schedules of study, or facilities as listed herein.
Practical or unforeseen circumstances, such as significant budget shortfalls or the unavailability of qualified personnel, may restrict the actual choices available to students when compared with those listed in the Calendar or in other University publications.
- The University reserves the right to limit access to, or to withdraw, courses or academic programs/plans; the University also reserves the right to cancel and/or change scheduled offerings of a course.
- In such circumstances the University will endeavour to make reasonable efforts to enable students to complete their degree requirements in a satisfactory manner.
- In the event that existing resources make it necessary to limit admission to an academic program or plan, the admission process will be based on competition for the spaces available.
Disruptive Events
The University may face disruptive events beyond its reasonable control, such as (without limitation) strikes, lock-outs, floods, severe weather, disease or health emergencies, and malicious acts including through the Internet.
In the event that the University takes decisions in the face of such disruptive events, it will do so having reasonable regard to, among other things, the direction of medical or other authorities as appropriate, and will use its reasonable efforts to minimize the academic consequences to its students.
- Tuition and mandatory fees:
- Continue to be set regardless of the method of instruction.
- Will not be refunded or adjusted in the event instruction occurs by an alternate delivery model for all or any part of the same academic term.
- Will be refunded in the event students voluntarily withdraw for the remainder of the term, in accordance with standard withdrawal timelines.
- The University may revise, at any time, the format of course offerings or academic milestones such that courses or milestones are offered in whole or in part on an alternate delivery model to in-person classes, in accordance with university policies, which are subject to change from time to time.
COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic of the virus leading to COVID-19. Members of the University community, including students and employees, are asked to and expected to abide by the guidelines and recommendations of the local public health authorities, as well as any guidelines or rules that the University implements in an effort to reduce the public health risk posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The circumstances of the pandemic continue to be unpredictable and evolving. The University community must recognize that risks exist, including the risk of contracting COVID-19, and that such risks cannot be eliminated.