Welcome activities planned for start of fall semester
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Classes at Western Michigan University start Tuesday, Sept. 5, but fall opening activities officially begin when new students arrive on campus Tuesday, Aug. 29, to participate in Fall Welcome activities. They continue into September with WMU's One Stop Center, Graduate Student Resource Fair, Bronco Bash and Fall Fab Fest.
Fall Welcome 2016
Fall Welcome and Move-in
Students who are beginning their careers at WMU this fall have an opportunity to get the hang of campus life early by attending Fall Welcome, a four-day program Tuesday through Friday, Aug. 29-Sept. 1, that assists first-year students with their academic and social transitions to college life.
Fall Welcome allows students to move in early, learn about the Kalamazoo community, get grounded in campus traditions and start socializing with their fellow students.
The residence halls officially open for all students at 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 1. Students may check in any day during Labor Day weekend.
For more information, visit wmich.edu/firstyear/fall-welcome.
One stop center
A temporary, one-stop service center will be open in WMU's Bernhard Center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Aug. 30-Sept. 1. It is closed Saturday through Monday in observance of Labor Day, and will and reopen from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Sept 5-7, and 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, Sept. 8.
The center offers a smorgasbord of business services in one convenient location. Situated on Bernhard's second floor, the One Stop Center lets students and their parents take care of last-minute business associated with starting the new academic year. Those visiting One Stop will be able to get new Bronco Cards, pay bills and purchase campus parking permits.
They also may obtain information about a variety of topics, including financial aid, and immunizations and other campus health care services. The center is being staffed by representatives from the Registrar's Office, admissions, accounts receivable, financial aid and scholarships, parking services and information technology. In addition, attendees may peruse information tables for the Office of Family Engagement and Sindecuse Health Center.
For more information, visit wmich.edu/registrar/calendars/onestop.
Graduate student resource fair
All graduate students are invited to attend the Resource Fair for Graduate Students, set for 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, in the Bernhard Center's North Ballroom. Representatives from offices across campus will be on hand to present information about the resources and services available to both new and returning graduate students. The fair will be open during the same hours as the One Stop Center.
For more information, visit wmich.edu/grad/events.
Bronco Bash
Students and other members of the University community will gather for the 37th annual Bronco Bash on the Sangren Pedestrian Mall at the center of campus from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8. The event is a huge celebration welcoming students to the campus and to Kalamazoo. It features games, music and more than 450 booths, where students can peruse the wares of area merchants and get information about WMU departments, student organizations and local volunteer opportunities.
Bronco Bash also provides live music by Groovement, a six-piece funk-rock band from northwest Arkansas, and Nothing New, a band out of Kalamazoo that features musicians performing on a banjo, bull fiddle and spoons.
There also will be inflatable Hungry Hippo and mechanical bull attractions available free of charge, and food is available for purchase.
Bronco Bash is a student-coordinated event through WMU's Office of Student Engagement.
For more information, visit wmubroncobash.com or contact the student coordinators in the Bronco Bash office at (269) 387-0083.
Fall Fab Fest
Local organizations have joined forces with the WMU Office of Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgendered Student Services to stage the sixth Fall Fab Fest from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, in the Trimpe Building Multicultural Center. Open to all local students and community members, this free event celebrates community as well as welcomes LBGT people and their allies to Kalamazoo, particularly area students who are arriving in town for a new school year. It is sponsored by the Office of LBGT Student Services with a grant from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation.
Participants will be able to connect with local non-profit organizations, WMU LBGT registered student organizations, and on-campus partners while enjoying free food, local performers, and an open-mic/drag show. This year's Fall Fab Fest theme is "A Queer Ball" and will be hosted by local drag queen Savannah J Hawthorne.
For more information, contact WMU's Natalie Nguyen, director of WMU LBGT Student Services, at (269) 387-2123 or @email, or visit wmich.edu/lbgt/programs/calendar-events.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.