New Area Code 269 is mandatory this month
Feb. 1, 2003
KALAMAZOO -- All Western Michigan University materials should now include Southwest Michigan's new Area Code, as beginning Feb. 15, callers will no longer be able to connect using the old 616 Area Code.
The new 269 Area Code was introduced July 13, 2002. During a seven-month introductory period, callers were able to use either the old or new Area Code. WMU's Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Benton Harbor campuses are included in the region that has changed to the new Area Code. The Grand Rapids campus, along with most of Kent and Ottawa counties, retained the 616 code.
David H. Smith, WMU's director of graphics and design, notes that printed materials for the Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Benton Harbor campuses that list the 616 Area Code are now out of date and should be revised as soon as possible. Nearly all University Web pages--except those for unaffected regional campuses--must also be updated to reflect the change.
Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 269 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu