WATERLOO & BRANTFORD CAMPUSES
Parent Guide 2015
Getting your son or daughter ready for university Congratulations! Your son or daughter has decided to further his or her education and has received an offer of admission. This is a big step in their lives...and in yours. But rest assured, we are committed to assisting our students along the way, from helping them choose programs and courses to providing opportunities to meet people and make new friends. Although your son or daughter is a young adult now, we still find that our students benefit greatly from the support of a parent or guardian through this important transition, particularly if they are going to be leaving home for the first time. This guide is designed to help you help them through the process.
Making the experience count TAKE A CAMPUS TOUR One of the best ways to make your son or daughter feel more comfortable about making the transition to university is to come for a campus tour together. Even if you visited campus before they applied, it’s nice to come back and help them get accustomed to where everything is — figure out the quickest routes to coffee shops in the morning, tour the buildings, find the bookstore and decide where they might like to live. It will make the first few days less stressful for them if they are already familiar with the campus. To book a tour, visit: chooselaurier.ca/tours.
Headstart for Parents: visit the same day as your son or daughter.
ESTIMATED COSTS TO ATTEND LAURIER* WATERLOO CAMPUS TUITION†
$5,980
INCIDENTAL FEES†
$1,013
BOOKS
$950
ACADEMIC SUBTOTAL
$7,943
RESIDENCE
$5,420 -$7,280
DORM MEAL PLAN
$4,190-$4,850
4 DIFFERENT OPTIONS
APARTMENT MEAL PLAN
HEADSTART – FOR PARENTS Offered as part of our Headstart transition to university program, parents and guardians can participate in a special program that provides information about what their son or daughter will experience at university. Learn how you can support them through this process and get answers to questions you may have about residence life, meal plans, orientation week, financial aid, etc. You can sign up for the parents program when your son or daughter enrols in Headstart in March for the Waterloo campus or after May 1 for the Brantford campus. Visit wlu.ca/admissions-toolkits/undergraduate/step-3-youre-in/ get-a-head-start.html for more information.
CLOTHING
$500
TRAVEL/ TRANSPORTATION
$600
PERSONAL (ENTERTAINMENT, HAIR, ETC. $250/MONTH)
$2,000
PARKING FEES
$255
TOTAL APPROX.
$20,908
BRANTFORD CAMPUS
MONEY MATTERS There are many scholarships, awards, government loans and bursaries available to students; some are based on their grades, and some are based on financial need. Laurier’s Student Awards office is committed to helping students maximize the support they receive to ensure that all students offered admission to Laurier receive the assistance they need to complete their degree. The deadline to apply for entrance bursaries is April 13, 2015. Encourage your son or daughter to visit the Student Awards website at wlu.ca/studentawards for more information. Also, you, or someone else in your family, may have set up an RESP or other savings plan to help pay for their post-secondary education. Contact your financial institution or plan provider early for information on how to begin receiving payments as well as important deadlines. For questions, please contact Service Laurier at servicelaurier@wlu.ca.
$3,534
$1,668 + GROCERIES ($225/MONTH)
TUITION
$5,980
INCIDENTAL FEES
$995
BOOKS
$950
ACADEMIC SUBTOTAL
$7,925
RESIDENCE (SINGLE ROOM)
$5,871-$6,293
MEAL PLAN
$800
GROCERIES ($300/MONTH)
$2,400
CLOTHING
$500
TRAVEL/ TRANSPORTATION
$600
PERSONAL (ENTERTAINMENT, HAIR, ETC. $250/MONTH)
$2,000
PARKING FEES
$255
TOTAL APPROX.
$20,351
*For academic year 2014/2015. Fees subject to increase for 2015-2016. The charts are an estimate only. Canadian undergraduate BBA and BBTM tuition fees for first-year students are $7,905 and incidential fees are $1,156.
†
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Preparing for September As your son or daughter prepares to leave for school in September, they will likely experience conflicting emotions. While they may be really excited about beginning this new chapter in their lives, it will still be hard to say goodbye to family and friends. Support them through this challenging time and reassure them that visits home are always possible. Keep in mind that there are a number of things that students need to do before they begin school at Laurier in September.
Next steps REMIND THEM TO...
REGISTER FOR THEIR COURSES Once your son or daughter has accepted their offer of admission, encourage them to explore the Laurier Online Registration and Information System (LORIS) at loris.wlu.ca. All course registration happens online. First year students may begin registering for may begin registering for classes on May 4, 2015. Please refer to the Undergraduate Admissions Toolkit on our website at wlu.ca/admissions-toolkits/undergraduate/ to help you through this process.
OBTAIN THEIR ONECARD Students need their OneCard in order to do most things on campus. Laurier’s OneCard is a photo identification card, an access card to the fitness facilities, a transit card for the city bus programs, a library card and a declining balance meal plan card, all in one!! Encourage your son or daughter to pick theirs up as soon as they can.
IMPORTANT DATES MONDAY, APRIL 13
Deadline to apply for Entrance Bursaries at chooselaurier.ca/onlineviewing
MONDAY, APRIL 28
The mandatory Calculus Preparation Evaluation (CPE) is available online for students wishing to register for a first-year Calculus course.
MONDAY, MAY 4 MONDAY, JUNE 1, 11:59 PM
First date to log in to LORIS and register for courses at loris.wlu.ca. Deadline to accept their offer of admission online at ouac.on.ca.
MONDAY, JUNE 1 11:59 PM
Deadline to submit their online residence application with non-refundable deposit at resapplication.com/wlu.
SUNDAY, JULY 20
Students must register in at least one course by this date to avoid a late registration fee.
FRIDAY, JULY 24
Waterloo campus: deadline to submit a Residence Parking Permit Application.
LATE JULY
Entrance Scholarships are finalized.
AUGUST 8
Brantford campus: Parking permit applications are due.
MID- TO LATE-AUGUST
Tuition invoice posted on LORIS and fall term fees due.
SEPTEMBER 6-7
Waterloo campus: residence move-in days and Orientation Week begins.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
Brantford campus: residence move-in day and Orientation Week begins. chooselaurier.ca | 3
Arriving on campus Students are to arrive at the Waterloo campus on September 6 or 7, and at the Brantford campus on September 7. Labour Day Monday also kicks off Orientation Week, which is a great way for your son or daughter to get accustomed to campus, meet some new friends and learn all about Laurier’s school spirit. All new students are encouraged to attend.
City Information Waterloo Our Waterloo campus is located in the thriving, culturally diverse community of Kitchener-Waterloo (K-W). Located just 100 kilometres west of Toronto, this city offers plenty of hiking trails, golf courses, skating rinks, soccer fields and even a ski hill. With a population of about 350,000, K-W is small enough to be safe and easy to get around, yet big enough to provide great restaurants, shopping and entertainment.
explorewaterlooregion.com
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Brantford Our Brantford campus is rooted in the downtown core, offering students a unique campus life experience. It’s close to shops, cafes, great walking and biking trails, and a diverse arts and entertainment scene. Proud to be the hometown of “the Great One,” Wayne Gretzky, Brantford is a city where sporting events and recreational activities are an integral part of community life – and it’s only an hour southwest of Toronto.
discoverbrantford.com
Advice from a pro Kevin Crowley, director of communications and public affairs at Laurier, was thrilled when his son, Simon, decided to attend Laurier’s Brantford Campus. “Laurier is a terrific school with great programs, lots of extracurriculars and tremendous spirit. Simon is a perfect fit.” When Simon attended the Brantford Open House last fall, he knew right away that this was the best school for him. Simon is now a first-year concurrent education major. This unique program is offered in partnership with Nipissing University. In five years, Simon will earn an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Society, Culture & Environment from Laurier, and a Bachelor of Education from Nipissing University. Like many Laurier students, Simon is involved in a variety of activities outside of the classroom. He sits on the Residence Athletic Council, plays intramural soccer and volleyball, and is already interested in becoming a residence don next year.
CITY OF BRANTFORD
Here are some of Kevin’s and Simon’s tips for a smooth transition for your son or daughter: • Campus tours before starting school is a great way to help you figure out where things are on campus. • Take advantage of the many student services that Laurier has to offer – like the Student Services Centre. • Routines are important. Help your son and daughter develop reasonable routines that will help them balance academic life and social activities. • Discuss the budget early so that each of you is fully aware of what expenses you will be responsible for. • Set an example and encourage them to keep track of all their usernames and passwords on a password protected document on your computer or locked on your phone. • Staying organized is so important. Don’t forget to get your FREE planner that will help you keep track of exams and assignments. • Ask questions! Don’t be shy to ask for help from your residence don, faculty, staff or students. We are a community at Laurier and are here to help you out. • There’s a club for that. Being a Laurier student is more than going to class and earning a degree. Get involved with a campus club or sporting activity.
CITY OF WATERLOO
• Remember: because your child is now an adult, the university is not able to release any personal information about the student to the parent. This includes marks, absences, changes to their schedule, dropped courses, etc. chooselaurier.ca | 5
What’s in your survival kit? Having kids at university can be a bit of a mind bender. Here are some suggestions for items you might want to consider that will keep the relationship with your offspring thriving and the lines of communication open:
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CELLPHONE — Staying on top of what’s going down is essential. Texting them is less intrusive than calling all the time.
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TABLET — Great for keeping track of their events and important dates. Not to mention photos to show your friends.
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SPA TREATMENT — Take some time to recover from moving day and late night phone calls dealing with separation anxiety. (Yours and theirs). Embrace your emptying nest!
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MOVIE NIGHT and EVENT TICKETS — Take them out for a night when you pay them a visit. Keeping an element of togetherness is important. Then again, sneaking in a movie while they are up to their eyeballs in assignments isn’t a bad distraction either!
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FAMILY PHOTOS — Keep your son or daughter top of mind (and near and dear to your heart) by placing photos of them around the house or at work.
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CARE PACKAGE — Send your son or daughter a care package or present to let them know you’re thinking about them. Be sure to include their name and residence name and mailbox number, if possible.
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GOLF CLUBS — Nothing helps manage stress like time on the driving range. You’ll be relaxed and equipped to handle calls from your son or daughter as they adjust to their newfound independence.
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WEBCAM AND SKYPETM ACCOUNT — It goes without saying that huge changes are afoot and you’ll want to be a part of of them as they embark on this new adventure. By staying in touch online, you’ll experience aspects of their student life with them. A picture is worth a thousand words, as they say!
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FACEBOOKTM & TWITTERTM — Better late than never! If you haven’t embraced social media now is the time! Again, staying on top of what’s going down is essential. And sharing experiences with other parents going through the same thing can’t hurt either.
facebook.com/WilfridLaurierUniversity twitter.com/LaurierNews
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We’re here to help SAFETY ON CAMPUS
ACADEMIC SERVICES
Foot Patrol is a volunteer operated safe-walk program, available seven days a week during evening hours. Teams of two are assigned to escort students to and from campus by foot or by van.
The Accessible Learning Centre supports students with diagnosed disabilities through a variety of services and resources delivered in a respectful, confidential and professional manner.
Special Constables are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. They are also the lost and found repository for the university. Dial 3333 from phones on campus. Emergency poles are located across the Waterloo and Brantford campuses and feature a phone with a direct line to the Special Constable Service. Brantford Campus Safe Place Program is a new proactive initiative designed to increase the safety of students in the community. Participating downtown businesses will have a sign displayed in their window, indicating that they are a safe place to go in the event of an emergency situation.
SERVICE LAURIER Service Laurier is a one-stop enrolment services centre available on both the Waterloo and Brantford campuses to answer questions related to academic regulations, financial aid, RESPs, etc. Please note that due to privacy legislation, Service Laurier is unable to discuss academic-related information with anyone other than the student, and must receive authorization from your son or daughter before discussing financial account information with you. Have them visit wlu.ca/businessoffice/consent to authorize you to make inquiries about their account and outstanding fees.
Career Development Centre offers free access to career advising, work and volunteer postings, resumÊ, interview and job search workshops, and one-on-one appointments with career consultants. Academic Advising: Undergraduate program advisors provide answers to questions about university expectations, rules and procedures, academic support services, majors, minors and options, and preparing for post-graduate studies. Centre for Student Success supports and enhances students’ academic experiences at Laurier. Our trained staff are available to help students develop key study strategies, understand assignments and receive feedback on essays and comprehend fundamental mathematics concepts. wlu.ca/academics/academic-services
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Still have questions? YOUR MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERED My financial institution requires verification of my child’s status as a full-time student to obtain his/her RESP. How do I get this confirmation? After your son or daughter has registered in a full-time course load (2.0 or more credits per term), they can request proof of their enrolment by completing either the Letter Request form or Outside Agency Request form (depending on the requirements). For more information on verification of enrolment, visit wlu.ca/servicelaurier. Waterloo: 519.884.0710 x2800 Brantford: 519.756.8228 x5885 Will my son/daughter be charged for the Health Plan even if he/she is already covered by another policy? Students are enrolled in the Health Plan automatically, but may be eligible to opt out if they have an alternate form of coverage. To opt out, students must do so ONLINE at studentvip.ca/wlusu prior to the deadline in September. To speak directly to someone about Health Plans, contact the U-Desk at 519.884.0710 x3557. Can my son/daughter transfer between programs or campuses after first-year if they feel they’ve chosen the wrong program? In most cases yes, however students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisors to ensure they have all necessary information to track required courses and credits across programs, or if they have questions or concerns. Central Academic Advising, Waterloo: 519.884.0710 x2220 Academic Advising, Brantford: 519.756.8228 x5849 Is the residence deposit refundable? The residence deposit is only refunded if we receive written cancellation of your residence application in the Residential Services Office on or before 11:59 pm on June 1. What arrangements can be made for tuition payment? You may pay for tuition online or through telephone banking by setting Wilfrid Laurier University as a bill payment payee. Note: Your son or daughter’s student ID number should be set as your account number. You may also pay at your bank by taking in the Laurier invoice.
Relax.
They’re going to make you proud. FSC
Our guidebooks are printed on Rolland Enviro100 stock which contains 100% post-consumer fibre, is manufactured in Canada using renewable biogas energy and is certified Ecologo, processed chlorine free and FSC® certified recycled.
chooselaurier.ca
WATERLOO 75 University Avenue West Waterloo, Ontario Canada N2L 3C5
BRANTFORD 73 George Street Brantford, Ontario Canada N3T 2Y3
T 519.884.0710 x3385 E chooselaurier@wlu.ca
T 519.756.8228 x5777 E chooselaurierbrantford@wlu.ca
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WILFRID LAURIER UNIVERSITY WATERLOO | BRANTFORD | Kitchener | Toronto