Editing University of Waterloo (section)

== Student life ==
{| style="text-align:center; float:right; font-size:85%; margin-left:2em; margin:10px" class="wikitable"
|+ ''Demographics of student body (2017–18)''{{efn|The following includes both full-time, and part-time students.}}
! !! Undergraduate{{efn|The following includes both undergraduates, and students enrolled in first professional degree programs.}} !! Graduate
|-
! [[Male]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cudo.ouac.on.ca/page.php?id=7&table=2#univ=2&y=2017|title=Male Enrolment by Program|publisher=Common University Data Ontario|access-date=9 July 2020|year=2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710023135/https://cudo.ouac.on.ca/page.php?id=7&table=2#univ=2&y=2017|archive-date=10 July 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 52.7% || 55.9%
|-
! [[Female]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cudo.ouac.on.ca/page.php?id=7&table=2#univ=2&y=2017|title=Female Enrolment by Program|publisher=Common University Data Ontario|access-date=9 July 2020|year=2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710023135/https://cudo.ouac.on.ca/page.php?id=7&table=2#univ=2&y=2017|archive-date=10 July 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 47.3% || 44.1%
|-
! [[Canadians|Canadian student]]<ref name=doeintl>{{cite web|url=https://cudo.ouac.on.ca/page.php?id=7&table=7#univ=2&y=2017|title=Total Enrolment by Program|publisher=Common University Data Ontario|access-date=9 July 2020|year=2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710023148/https://cudo.ouac.on.ca/page.php?id=7&table=7#univ=2&y=2017|archive-date=10 July 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 82.7% || 63.9%
|-
! [[International student]]<ref name=doeintl/>
| 17.3% || 36.1%
|}

=== Organizations ===
The university's two main student unions are the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) for undergraduate students,<ref name="about wusa">{{cite web |title=What is WUSA? |url=https://wusa.ca/your-wusa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815041756/https://wusa.ca/your-wusa |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 August 2020 |website=Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association |access-date=21 May 2020 |date=21 September 2017}}</ref> and the Graduate Student Association (GSA) for graduate students.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-student-association/home|title=Home|date=16 August 2012|website=Graduate Student Association|access-date=25 May 2019}}</ref> Founded in 1967 as the Federation of Students,<ref name="about wusa" /> WUSA operates four businesses, twelve student services, oversees over 200 accredited student clubs;<ref>{{cite web |title=Clubs & Services |url=https://wusa.ca/clubs-services |website=Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association |access-date=21 May 2020 |date=7 September 2017 |archive-date=25 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200925195828/https://wusa.ca/clubs-services |url-status=dead}}</ref> in addition to operating other student programs and events. Among the WUSA student groups is the [[Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity]], Canada's oldest, continually running university-based [[LGBT|2SLGBTQ+]] group.<ref name="GlowMainPage">{{cite web |title=Glow Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity |url=https://wusa.ca/services/student-run-services/glow |website=Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association |access-date=18 October 2023}}</ref>
[[File:Student Garage Space at the University of Waterloo.jpg|thumb|The Sedra Student Design Centre, where student design teams work on projects such as making an [[Self-driving car|autonomous vehicle]] or a [[Hyperloop pod competition|Hyperloop pod prototype]].|alt=]]
Each of the university's faculties has a student society which represent and provide services for the students in their respective faculties.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uwaterloo.ca/feds/student-bodies/student-societies|title=Student Societies|date=24 September 2017|website=Federation of Students|access-date=25 May 2019}}</ref> Services include online exam banks, resume critiques, and technical skills workshops. Some student societies also operate a student deal discount program and one to two shops selling coffee and food at low prices.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engsoc.uwaterloo.ca/about-us/student-spaces/|title=Student Spaces – C&D|website=Waterloo Engineering Society|access-date=25 May 2019}}</ref> Each faculty also operates a student-run endowment fund, which fund student design teams, laboratory upgrades, and services for their respective student societies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uwaterloo.ca/science-endowment-fund/home|title=Home {{!}} Waterloo Science Endowment Fund {{!}} University of Waterloo|date=23 April 2013|website=Waterloo Science Endowment Fund|access-date=25 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://uwaterloo.ca/math-endowment-fund/projects-funded|title=Projects Funded|date=4 May 2017|website=Mathematics Endowment Fund|access-date=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525205057/https://uwaterloo.ca/math-endowment-fund/projects-funded|archive-date=25 May 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Greek Life ===
{{Importance section|date=July 2024}}
{{Primary sources|section|date=July 2024}}
As of January 2015, neither the university administration nor the two main student unions recognize [[Fraternities and sororities|fraternities or sororities]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uwimprint.ca/article/dispelling-some-myths-about-greek-life-at-uw/|title=Dispelling some myths about Greek life at UW {{!}} Imprint|last=Nourse|first=Megan|date=16 January 2015|language=en-CA|access-date=25 May 2019}}</ref> Fraternities and Sororities at the University of Waterloo, though not formally sanctioned by the institution, constitute a facet of campus life. This Greek life community receives promotional support from the UWaterloo Greek Council, a club within the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nourse |first=Megan |date=2015-01-16 |title=Dispelling some myths about Greek life at UW {{!}} Imprint |url=https://uwimprint.ca/article/dispelling-some-myths-about-greek-life-at-uw/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |language=en-CA}}</ref>

The University of Waterloo is home to the first collegiate fraternity and Greek life organization in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge region, Sigma Chi, whose University of Waterloo's Theta Psi chapter has been active since 1987.<ref name="The Theta Psi Chapter of Sigma Chi">{{cite web |year=2012 |title=The Theta Psi Chapter of Sigma Chi |url=http://www.sigmachi.ca/en/chapters/undergraduate/university-waterloo-theta-psi/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513004358/http://www.sigmachi.ca/en/chapters/undergraduate/university-waterloo-theta-psi/ |archive-date=13 May 2012 |access-date=19 July 2012 |publisher=Sigma Chi Canadian Foundation}}</ref> [[Sigma Chi]], [[Zeta Psi]], and [[Alpha Epsilon Pi]] operate as non-accredited off-campus fraternities,<ref name="The Theta Psi Chapter of Sigma Chi"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapters |url=https://zetapsi.org/about/chapters/ |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Zeta Psi Fraternity |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |year=2011 |title=Canada Chapter Roll |url=http://www.aepi.org/?page=CanadianChapters#ON |access-date=19 July 2012 |publisher=Alpha Epsilon Pi}}</ref> while [[Kappa Kappa Gamma]], [https://deltaphinucanada.com Delta Phi Nu], [[Alpha Omicron Pi]] and Sigma Lambda Gamma operate as non-accredited off-campus sororities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chapter Profile – Zeta Omega |url=https://www.kappakappagamma.org/kappa/KKG/ChapterProfile.aspx?id=301959 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522234832/https://www.kappakappagamma.org/kappa/KKG/ChapterProfile.aspx?id=301959 |archive-date=22 May 2013 |access-date=19 July 2012 |publisher=Kappa Kappa Gamma}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chapters |url=https://www.deltaphinucanada.com/chapters |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=Delta Phi Nu Canada |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=AOII Collegiate Chapters |url=http://www.alphaomicronpi.org/#_p.Collegians%2FCollegiate%20Chapters |access-date=19 July 2012 |publisher=Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=About SLG |url=https://www.sigma-lambda-gamma.com/about-slg.html |access-date=2024-04-18 |website=SIGMA LAMBDA GAMMA SORORITY OF WATERLOO |language=en}}</ref>

=== Journalism ===
The three main student publications on campus are ''Imprint'', the university's official [[Student publication|student newspaper]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theimprint.ca/1905|title=About – Imprint|website=www.theimprint.ca|access-date=25 May 2019|archive-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802071521/http://www.theimprint.ca/1905|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''mathNEWS'', the Math Society's free-form publication,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mathnews.uwaterloo.ca/|title=mathNEWS {{!}} Waterloo's Bastion of Erudite Thought|language=en-US|access-date=25 May 2019}}</ref> and ''The Iron Warrior'', the [[University of Waterloo Engineering Society|Engineering Society]]'s newspaper.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iwarrior.uwaterloo.ca/|title=The Iron Warrior|access-date=25 May 2019|archive-date=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525205121/http://iwarrior.uwaterloo.ca/|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Imprint'' replaced ''[[The Chevron]]'' as the official student newspaper in 1979,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jubilation.uwaterloo.ca/~marj/history/powertrip.pdf|title=Powertrip|access-date=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706212709/http://jubilation.uwaterloo.ca/~marj/history/powertrip.pdf|archive-date=6 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> and publishes a monthly print magazine along with regular online content. ''mathNEWS'' and ''The Iron Warrior'' publish biweekly in print and online throughout the year.

The university formerly included a student-funded [[campus radio]] station, [[CKMS-FM]]. The student union withdrew financial support for the stations' operations in 2008 following several referendums, and CKMS transitioned to a [[community radio]] model.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://radiowaterloo.ca/about/|title=About {{!}} CKMS 102.7 FM|language=en-US|access-date=25 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525214606/https://radiowaterloo.ca/about/|archive-date=25 May 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====mathNEWS====
''mathNEWS'' is the freeform student publication of the undergraduate mathematics students of the University of Waterloo as represented by MathSoc (the Mathematics Society of the University of Waterloo).<ref>{{cite web |last1=mathNEWS |title=legal stuff|url=https://mathnews.uwaterloo.ca/legal-stuff |website=mathNEWS |access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref> Labeling itself as "Waterloo's Bastion of Erudite Thought", mathNEWS is published biweekly, with occasional deviations and special editions. The paper is varied in its content, with think pieces, local updates, and exercises in creative writing, usually through a humorous lens.<ref>{{cite web |title=mathNEWS {{!}} Waterloo's Bastion of Erudite Thought |url=https://mathnews.uwaterloo.ca/ |access-date=27 March 2024 |date=15 March 2024}}</ref> Though it has a cult following, the paper gained worldwide attention in February 2024 after publishing an article exposing the usage of [[Biometrics in schools|facial recognition in on-campus vending machines]].<ref name="cbc">{{cite news |last1=Duhatscheck |first1=Paula |title=Vending machines had eyes all over this Ontario campus — until the students wised up |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/vending-machine-facial-analysis-invenda-waterloo-1.7126196 |access-date=27 March 2024 |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Company |date=27 February 2024}}</ref>

''mathNEWS'' has been in publication since January 25, 1973, when it was published on a weekly basis, and was technically a club under MathSoc. On February 14, 1975, it switched to a biweekly publication schedule, which it maintains as of April 1, 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Zethar |date=1 March 2013 |title=A Brief History of mathNEWS and its Editors |url=https://mathnews.uwaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/v121ispecial.pdf |access-date=27 March 2024 |work=mathNEWS |publisher= |pages=2 |issue=40th Anniversary Special Issue Spectacular}}</ref>

On February 16, 2024, mathNEWS published an article titled "THE M&M’S MACHINES ARE WATCHING YOU",<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stanley |first1=River "molasses" |title=THE M&M'S MACHINES ARE WATCHING YOU |url=https://mathnews.uwaterloo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/mathNEWS-154-3.pdf#page=6 |access-date=27 March 2024 |issue=3 |publisher=mathNEWS |date=16 February 2024|volume=154 }}</ref> written by regular contributor River Stanley under the pseudonym molasses. The article discussed a [[Reddit]] post by user u/SquidKid47,<ref>{{cite web |last1=SquidKid47 |title=hey so why do the stupid m&m machines have facial recognition? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/uwaterloo/comments/1anvv0q/hey_so_why_do_the_stupid_mm_machines_have_facial/ |website=r/uwaterloo |access-date=27 March 2024 |date=11 February 2024}}</ref> who had discovered a system malfunction for an app titled "Invenda.Vending.FacialRecognitionApp.exe" on the on-campus Invenda vending machines selling [[Mars Inc]] products. The article was picked up by multiple well known publications, such as [[Business Insider]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Edmonds |first1=Lauren |title=A college is removing its vending machines after a student discovered they were using facial-recognition technology |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/vending-machines-facial-recognition-technology-2024-2 |access-date=27 March 2024 |work=Business Insider |publisher=Business Insider |date=25 February 2024}}</ref> [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]],<ref name="cbc" /> [[The Guardian]],<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |last1=Cecco |first1=Leyland |title=Canadian university vending machine error reveals use of facial recognition |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/23/vending-machine-facial-recognition-canada-univeristy-waterloo |access-date=27 March 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=23 February 2024}}</ref> [[The Verge]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Davis |first1=Wes |title="Why do the stupid M&M machines have facial recognition?" |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/24/24082022/why-do-the-stupid-m-m-machines-have-facial-recognition |access-date=27 March 2024 |work=The Verge |date=24 February 2024 |language=en}}</ref> and [[Wired (magazine)|WIRED]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Belanger |first1=Ashley |title=A Vending Machine Error Revealed Secret Face Recognition Tech |url=https://www.wired.com/story/facial-recognition-vending-machine-error-investigation/ |magazine=Wired |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref> In March 2024, the university removed the 29 vending machines on campus.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-07 |title=Meet the students who broke the vending machine story |url=https://uwaterloo.ca/news/meet-students-broke-vending-machine-story |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=Waterloo News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Vending machines had eyes all over this Ontario campus — until the students wised up |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/vending-machine-facial-analysis-invenda-waterloo-1.7126196 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]}}</ref>

=== Athletics ===
{{main|Waterloo Warriors}}
[[File:Chase the puck (4305087271).jpg|thumb|The [[Waterloo Warriors]] men's ice hockey team is one of several varsity sports teams operated by the university]]
The university's sports teams are known as the Waterloo Warriors. They participate in the [[U Sports|Canadian Interuniversity Sports]]' [[Ontario University Athletics]] conference for most varsity sports. Varsity teams include badminton, baseball, basketball, cross country, curling, field hockey, figure skating, Canadian football, golf, hockey, Nordic skiing, rugby, soccer, squash, swimming, track and field, tennis and volleyball. The athletics program at the university dates back to 1957, when students of Waterloo College Associate Faculties participated in the sports program of Waterloo College. The university had its own independent team when the Associate Faculties officially became the University of Waterloo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.varsity.uwaterloo.ca/sports/2010/7/13/history.aspx?tab=historytradition|title=History & Tradition of Waterloo Athletics and Recreational Services|publisher=University of Waterloo|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202063659/http://www.varsity.uwaterloo.ca/sports/2010/7/13/history.aspx?tab=historytradition|archive-date=2 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The university's varsity teams and the university's recreational sports programs are operated and managed by the Department of Athletics and Recreational Activity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hr.uwaterloo.ca/.jd/00001351.html|title=Director of Athletics and Recreational Services|access-date=12 July 2012}}</ref>

The university has a number of athletic facilities open to varsity teams and other students. Seating 5,400 people, [[Warrior Field]] is the university's largest stadium by seating capacity; and is used as the home field for the varsity field hockey and football teams, and hosts the university's recreational flag football and soccer activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.varsity.uwaterloo.ca/sports/2010/7/22/CR_0722105519.aspx?tab=waterloofacilities|title=Warrior Field|publisher=University of Waterloo|access-date=12 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202065509/http://www.varsity.uwaterloo.ca/sports/2010/7/22/CR_0722105519.aspx?tab=waterloofacilities|archive-date=2 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Prior to the completion of Warrior Field in 2008, the university's varsity teams used [[University Stadium (Waterloo, Ontario)|Seagram Stadium]] as their home stadium.<ref name=seagram>{{cite web|url=https://www.therecord.com/life/2018/06/29/flash-from-the-past-seagram-stadium-s-six-decades-began-with-a-gift.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125224111/https://www.therecord.com/life/2018/06/29/flash-from-the-past-seagram-stadium-s-six-decades-began-with-a-gift.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 January 2022|title=Flash from the Past: Seagram Stadium's six decades began with a gift|work=The Record|publisher=Metroland Media Group|last=Mills|first=Rych|date=29 June 2018|access-date=9 July 2020}}</ref> Seagram Stadium was built by the university's predecessor, Waterloo College Associate Faculties, and remained under the ownership of the university until 1974, when it was sold to the City of Waterloo.<ref name=seagram/> However, the university continued to use Seagram Stadium until 2008.<ref name=seagram/>

Other facilities include the Physical Activity Complex, which houses two gymnasiums, beach volleyball courts, squash rooms, and a swimming pool, and is also home to the university's varsity badminton, basketball, squash, swimming and volleyball teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.varsity.uwaterloo.ca/sports/2010/7/21/CR_0721104126.aspx?tab=waterloofacilities|title=Physical Activity Complex|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130103052514/http://www.varsity.uwaterloo.ca/sports/2010/7/21/CR_0721104126.aspx?tab=waterloofacilities|archive-date=3 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Columbia Ice Field was constructed in 1983 and houses the university's hockey team home rink, with a seating capacity of 700. The Ice Field has been expanded twice, in 1990 and 2003, and now includes three gyms and a number of fitness centres.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.varsity.uwaterloo.ca/sports/2010/7/22/CR_0722102947.aspx?tab=waterloofacilities|title=CIF Arena|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202063904/http://www.varsity.uwaterloo.ca/sports/2010/7/22/CR_0722102947.aspx?tab=waterloofacilities|archive-date=2 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.varsity.uwaterloo.ca/sports/2010/7/21/CR_0721104203.aspx?tab=waterloofacilities|title=Columbia Ice Fields|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202065304/http://www.varsity.uwaterloo.ca/sports/2010/7/21/CR_0721104203.aspx?tab=waterloofacilities|archive-date=2 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Including the football field, the university manages seven outdoor playing fields, with Fields 1 and 2 reserved for the varsity soccer and rugby teams, while portions of Field 3 are used as a [[baseball field]]. The rest of the fields are used by the university's recreational sports programs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.varsity.uwaterloo.ca/sports/2010/8/20/EV_0820104153.aspx?tab=waterloofacilities|title=Playing Fields|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202063250/http://www.varsity.uwaterloo.ca/sports/2010/8/20/EV_0820104153.aspx?tab=waterloofacilities|archive-date=2 February 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Entrepreneurship  ===
The University of Waterloo operates a startup incubator for its students, faculty, and alumni called the Velocity program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://velocity.uwaterloo.ca/about-us/|title=About Us|date=24 June 2015|website=Velocity|language=en-US|access-date=24 May 2019|archive-date=14 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514221159/http://velocity.uwaterloo.ca/about-us/|url-status=dead}}</ref> With no fees or equity, it is the largest free startup incubator in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/6936066-world-s-biggest-startup-accelerator-opens-for-business-in-kitchener/|title=World's biggest startup accelerator opens for business in Kitchener|last=Pender|first=Terry|date=28 October 2016|website=TheRecord.com|language=en-CA|access-date=24 May 2019|archive-date=31 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031175156/http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6936066-world-s-biggest-startup-accelerator-opens-for-business-in-kitchener/|url-status=dead}}</ref> It offers office space for up to 120 startup companies, as well as a wet laboratory, assembly space, workshop, and prototyping lab. The program also provides business mentorship to its resident companies and to Waterloo students as well as partnerships with researchers at the university's main campus. Velocity provides some students and startups with grants, previously valued from C$5,000 to C$25,000. As of 2019, the $25,000 grant was removed and companies in Velocity may now pitch their ideas to instead receive C$50,000 in funding, with equity stakes from investors.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://kitchener.citynews.ca/local-news/waterloo-startups-could-get-50000-in-investments-through-local-incubator-1199460|title=Waterloo startups could get $50,000 in investments through local incubator|newspaper=Citynews Kitchener|access-date=24 May 2019}}</ref> Companies that emerged from the Velocity program include [[Maluuba]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://velocity.uwaterloo.ca/companies/|title=Companies – Velocity|website=velocity.uwaterloo.ca|access-date=24 May 2019|archive-date=14 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614011842/http://velocity.uwaterloo.ca/companies/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In addition to the resources provided by Velocity, alumni regularly receive funding for their startups from United States accelerators.<ref name="Davis">{{cite web|url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/9132791-in-search-of-the-next-canadian-unicorns/|title=In search of the next Canadian unicorns|last=Davis|first=Brent|date=19 January 2019|website=TheRecord.com|language=en-CA|access-date=24 May 2019}}</ref> Companies Waterloo alumni have founded with the aid of Silicon Valley accelerator [[Y Combinator]] include [[Pebble (watch)|Pebble]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.therecord.com/news-story/7471058-pebble-founder-now-mentoring-others-in-a-storied-land-of-digital-dreams/|title=Pebble founder now mentoring others in a storied land of digital dreams|last=Pender|first=Terry|date=25 July 2017|website=TheRecord.com|language=en-CA|access-date=24 May 2019}}</ref> and [[BufferBox|Bufferbox]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://financialpost.com/technology/google-snaps-up-waterloo-startup-bufferbox|title=Google snaps up Waterloo startup BufferBox {{!}} Financial Post|last=Desk|first=FP Tech|newspaper=Financial Post |date=30 November 2012|language=en-CA|access-date=24 May 2019}}</ref> Y Combinator founder [[Paul Graham (programmer)|Paul Graham]] and president [[Sam Altman]] have both noted the University of Waterloo has stood out to them more than any other school during Y Combinator applications.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techvibes.com/2013/01/22/paul-graham-y-combinator-waterloo-2013-01-22|title=What's in Your Water, Waterloo? Startup Legend Praises Canadian City's Entrepreneurs|website=Techvibes|language=en-US|access-date=24 May 2019|date=22 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/15/opinion/sunday/frank-bruni-how-to-survive-the-college-admissions-madness.html|title=Opinion {{!}} How to Survive the College Admissions Madness|last=Bruni|first=Frank|date=13 March 2015|work=The New York Times|access-date=24 May 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.communitech.ca/y-combinators-sam-altman-super-impressed-after-12-hours-in-waterloo-region/|title=Y Combinator's Sam Altman 'super impressed' with Waterloo Region {{!}} Communitech News|website=news.communitech.ca|access-date=24 May 2019|date=21 September 2014}}</ref>

In 2017, ''Pitchbook Data'' ranked the University of Waterloo's undergraduate program fourth for schools that have the greatest number of alumni who have founded [[Unicorn (finance)|unicorn]] startups.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pitchbook.com/news/articles/save-money-for-your-startup-the-top-public-schools-for-fostering-unicorns|title=Save money for your startup: The top public schools for fostering unicorns {{!}} PitchBook|website=pitchbook.com|access-date=24 May 2019}}</ref> As of the same year, Waterloo students and alumni have raised a cumulative [[United States dollar|US$]]3.662 billion in venture capital. The current unicorn startups from Waterloo are [[Wish (company)|Wish]], [[Instacart]], [[Kik Messenger]], [[Pivotal Software]], and [[Storm8]].<ref name="Davis"/>

=== Traditions ===
Some traditions at the University of Waterloo include the University of Waterloo [[Aphrodite Project]], an annual student-run matchmaking event where thousands of students complete a psychology questionnaire and get matched with their most ideal date on campus.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Villella |first=Stephanie |date=2021-02-02 |title=Dating app matches UW students through algorithm |url=https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/dating-app-matches-uw-students-through-algorithm-1.5292874 |access-date=2024-09-07 |website=Kitchener |language=en}}</ref>