The Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA) has relaunched its WalkSafe pilot program for fall 2026.

WalkSafe lets students walk with a trained student volunteer to any destination on the main campus after dark. Students can request to be accompanied by a WalkSafe volunteer through WUSA’s WalkSafe request form. The program runs Monday to Friday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The fall 2026 pilot is the second trial of the service, which was originally proposed through WUSA’s Change Engine in 2024 by Katie Traynor. Following the first trial in winter 2026, the WUSA Board received a report at its meeting on June 18 outlining student feedback and proposed changes to better meet the program’s expectations .

Majdalen Azouz, WUSA’s vice-president of student experience, said that the re-launch came from limited engagement during the first pilot. “We did a pilot back in April and March, which wasn’t as successful as we hoped it would be, but it was successful in terms of marketing interaction,” Azouz said. “A lot of undergrad students knew what WalkSafe was, what WalkSafe does, and how it does benefit the undergrad population. But there was not really as much use. Just [from the] winter term, we didn’t feel it was feasible enough to know if we were successful in running a programme to combat student safety.” WUSA decided to extend the pilot because of the timing and location of the first trial. Azouz mentioned that shorter daylight hours and inclement weather during the winter term meant that students left campus earlier, resulting in less participation than expected.

WUSA is now using the number of walks requested as one metric to evaluate the pilot’s efficacy. While WUSA received some requests during the first day of the fall pilot at the carnival, Azouz said that one of the biggest challenges is volunteer recruitment. “So we’ve decided to flip our marketing strategies a little bit differently,” she stated, by emphasizing the benefits of volunteering for the program. “I remember when we were talking about WalkSafe, I told them …[that] in my undergrad, if WalkSafe was an option, then I would volunteer for it, because my mentality is, ‘I want to go to med school’; I’m thinking about what med school wants, or what medical schools essentially want to see. So WalkSafe would be great [for that],” Azouz shared.

The WUSA Board approved $15,000 in funding in June to fund the second pilot. A fee increase to continue funding Walksafe will be contingent on votes at a future Annual Members Meeting.

Start off the term right and get out this weekend!  Here are some picks for fun events happening this weekend that won’t break the bank.

Princess Cinemas Outdoor Movie Screening

Celebrate the 41st anniversary of this Waterloo institution with a free outdoor screening of Buena Vista Social Club.  The 1999 documentary, which follows renowned guitarist Ry Cooder, will be screened at 9 p.m. on Princess St. W.  Find out more at the event webpage here.

Warriors Homecoming Football Game

Come show off your Warrior spirit at one of the biggest sports events of the year.  Cheer on the Waterloo Warriors football team as they face off against the Windsor Lancers this Saturday at 1 p.m. Before the game, there will be a Parking Lot Party at 11:30 a.m. in Lot W, involving food trucks, giveaways, and live music.  You can also try recreational classes for free at the Warrior Rec Open House between 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., happening in PAC and CIF with classes including yoga and rock climbing. All events are free for students with a valid WatCard, but advance reservations are recommended as tickets go fast. More information can be found here and tickets can be reserved here.

Lumen Festival

Spend your Saturday evening at Waterloo’s beloved annual Lumen Festival, which takes place from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.  throughout Uptown Waterloo.  Experience the intersection of art, light, and tech with installations and live performances at the festival. This event is free and open to the general public. You can find out more here.

Royal Medieval Faire

Get dressed up to attend the 29th annual Royal Medieval Faire in Waterloo Park West, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Saturday. You can witness dramatic sword play, explore vendors selling period-accurate food, and participate in the event’s interactive plot, set in the fictional kingdom of Mearth.  Admission is $10 for individuals aged 14 and up, $20 for families, and $5 for children 13 and under.  You can find out more at the website here.

46th Annual Waterloo Terry Fox Run/Walk

Come out for a good cause this Sunday at the 46th Annual Waterloo Terry Fox Run/Walk, hosted at Waterloo Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a non-competitive event with free entry where you can run, walk, or bike. Register online at the event page here or in person the day of between 8:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.