Arrival and Orientation Spring Semester
CELCIS Arrival and Orientation Information - Spring 2015
New student orientation
Welcome to Western Michigan University!
This webpage provides arrival and orientation information that should be reviewed before departing for the United States. We recommend you print a copy of this page and carry it with you while traveling.
New student orientation Thursday, January 8 through Friday, January 9
First day of classes Monday, January 12
Last day of classes Friday, April 24
All new students are required to attend orientation.
At the new student orientation, CELCIS students will register, take placement tests, and learn about the Kalamazoo community. Orientation helps students adjust to life at WMU and studying in the CELCIS program. Faculty, staff, and current international students will be there to help you during orientation. We look forward to meeting you!
Important attendance policy information
Attendance at orientation and on the first day of class is mandatory for all new students; plan to attend all sessions. CELCIS Calendar
All students are expected to be in class on the first day of the semester. New students are expected to attend the required orientation before the start of the semester. If you have an emergency and will not arrive in Kalamazoo on time, please contact @email or call (269) 387-4800.
Students who arrive late may not be able to study.
All students (new and returning) who are unable to arrive on time should understand the following:
a. They must notify the CELCIS director and receive permission to arrive late.
b. Late arrival for ANY reason may have a negative effect on the student’s progress during that semester.
c. ALL students who begin classes after the start of the semester, for any reason, will be counted absent for the classes they have missed.
d. ALL students who arrive AFTER the third (3rd) day of class will NOT be allowed to attend classes that semester. As a result, they will be in violation of status and MAY have to return home.
Arrival and transportation
CELCIS suggests that students arrive 1-2 days before orientation to rest and adjust to the time change.
By airline
Plan to fly directly to the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO)—Chicago and Detroit are about three hours away by car. Free transportation from the Kalamazoo Airport to your hotel or residence hall will be provided by Leisure Limousine. When you arrive at the Kalamazoo- AZO airport, go to Leisure Limousine, which is next to baggage claim. Look for the WMU sign. If you use a different taxi service, you will be charged a fare and you may get lost.
- If you arrive before January 7, tell the Leisure Limousine driver the name of your hotel. You will have to pay for the cost of the hotel.
- If you arrive on or after January 7, tell the Leisure Limousine driver your name and your residence hall room assignment. The driver will call Residence Life and a staff person will meet you at the door of your residence halls.
By bus or train
If you arrive in Kalamazoo by bus or train you can arrange for transportation to WMU’s main campus by calling a taxi.
Bronco Express (269) 343-3000 Estimated fare: $7
Godspeed Transportation (269) 547-5477 Estimated fare: $10
Housing
WMU Residence Halls
WMU Residence Halls provide safe on-campus housing and opportunities to meet other WMU students. Be sure to indicate your preference on your WMU housing request forms.
To sign-up to live in the residence halls, click here.
Housing contracts begin January 10, 2015. Students arriving early may move into their residence hall beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, January 7 at an additional cost of $21.97 per day, which will be charged through January 9 when the regular contract begins. Students will pay for this themselves. Students planning to check into the residence hall early must bring bedding (twin-size) and bath towels. Students arriving BEFORE January 7 will have to make their own arrangements to stay in a hotel. WMU's Residence Life staff may be reached during regular business hours at (269) 387-4735 or @email.
WMU residence hall information
Linens
You’ll need twin extra-long linens for WMU’s beds. Shop around and compare prices. Basic linen packets (sheet and towel) will be available to rent for $5 at your residence hall for temporary use.
WMU Apartments
WMU Apartments (on campus) are open to incoming transfer/graduate/sophomore-level and above students. Click here to sign-up to live in WMU Apartments.
Students with a WMU apartment contract: Please check in with the WMU apartment office on the third floor of the Faunce Student Services Building between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday—Friday, or call (269) 387-2175 during business hours.
Temporary Housing During Orientation
If you arrive before January 7 or you do not have housing when you arrive, you will need to stay in a hotel. It is recommended that you make a hotel reservation before you travel to Kalamazoo. During orientation, WMU provides shuttle service for students from the Holiday Inn West hotel and Staybridge Suites. A shuttle picks up students at the hotel door between 8 to 8:30 a.m.
Holiday Inn West (reserve online) or call (269) 375-6000. The hotel is located at 2747 S 11th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009.
Steps for making an online reservation for a room at the Holiday Inn West hotel:
- Visit the hotel website
- Enter 100375964 in the Corporate ID field.
- Enter appropriate information in all required fields (check-in dates, room preferences, etc.)
- Enter Western Michigan University in the destination field.
- Click on Find a Hotel.
- Select Holiday Inn: Kalamazoo-W(W Michigan University) to receive a discounted rate and free transportation to orientation.
- Click on the Availability button to view all room options and select the room type.
- Click on the Book this Room button to complete the reservation.
Staybridge Suites (reserve online) or call (269) 372-8000. This hotel is located at 2001 Seneca Lane, Kalamazoo, MI 49008. Staybridge Suites offers free breakfast, and dinners on some nights. There is a kitchen in each room. McDonald’s, Starbucks, and a grocery store are within walking distance. A shuttle will pick up students at the front door between 8 AM and 8:30 AM for orientation.
Other hotel options*:
Comfort Inn (269) 384-2800
Red Roof Inn (269) 375-7400
Best Western Plus (269) 350-5522
*Students staying at these hotels will need to arrange their own transportation to campus.
Your WMU temporary mailing address:
First name, family name, c/o orientation
International Admissions and Services
4255 Ellsworth Hall
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI 49008–5246 U.S.A.
Meals
University meal plans begin with dinner on Sunday, January 11.
To sign up for a meal plan, click here
Before the semester begins, there are fewer meal options. Please review the meal options calendar for information about where to find food. Breakfast and lunch will be provided during orientation on January 8 and January 9.
Orientation Schedule
Check-in
Orientation check-in will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 8 in the
East Ballroom on the 2nd floor of the Bernhard Center.
Orientation will include:
- Testing and placement information
- Course registration information
- Grading information
- Information about U.S. immigration rules and regulations
- Medical insurance and health care information
- Campus tours
- Shopping trips
- Recreational activities
Bring the following documents to orientation:
- Visa, passport, I-20 or DS-2019 form, copy of electronic I-94 (print from this website)
- Paperwork from Western Michigan University
- Paperwork from your sponsor, if this applies
- Health insurance policy (not the card)
- Copy of scholarship letter, if this applies
Western Michigan University Tobacco-Free Campus Policy
Effective September 1, 2014, the use of tobacco products is only permitted in enclosed personal vehicles. The use of tobacco products is not permitted indoors or outdoors on any University property. Tobacco products are defined to include the following: cigarettes, electronic-cigarettes, cigars, bidis, snuff, snus, water pipes, pipes, hookahs, chew and any other non-combustible tobacco products. Read more .
Spring 2014 costs
Tuition and fees—see spring semester table on this page
Tuition refund dates—see spring refund schedule on this page
Complete payment of tuition is expected from all students by the first week of class. If you need to withdraw from CELCIS classes, your tuition may be refunded according to the deadlines.
Residence hall and dining plan—see room and board rates on this page
Medical Insurance
WMU requires all international students to have medical insurance. Insurance will be purchased for you and charged to your university account. Your WMU tuition bill will show the insurance fee.
If you have private health insurance that meets WMU’s minimum requirements, you may apply for a waiver. You must provide a copy of your policy to Cindy Clegg (@email), WMU Insurance Manager by the posted deadline. For more information, visit the Sindecuse website
Students with disabilities
Students with documented disabilities may be eligible for academic adjustments or accommodations. New students should send documentation and request accommodations before they arrive. Visit the Disability Services for Students website for more information. Expectations and Responsibilities for Students with Disabilities
Start preparing now
- Obtain passport and U.S. visa as soon as possible
- Make travel arrangements to Kalamazoo
- Arrange for funds to be sent in advance or to be brought with you
- Arrange for a place to stay during orientation
- Advise friends and family of your short-term mailing address
Things to bring
- Some cash (around $250) and/or credit card to get you through your first few days in Kalamazoo. WMU advises students to avoid carrying large amounts of cash when traveling.
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Toiletries: shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.
- Personal electronics (mp3 player, cell phone, laptop, camera, etc.)
- Prescription medication
- Food: snacks to hold you over until dining halls open
Items you can buy in Kalamazoo
- Bedding (pillow, blanket, sheets, etc.)
- Towels
- Laundry basket, detergent
- Fan
- Extension cords
- Outlet adapter
- Iron and ironing board, clothes hangers
- School supplies: pens, paper, folders, etc.
Please contact us if you have an emergency while traveling to Kalamazoo:
- CELCIS office—Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (269) 387-4800 @email (Leave a message)
- Call the orientation coordinator for after-hours emergencies, only: (269) 203-5482
- WMU Police—Available 24 hours a day; Call for help: (269) 387-5555
This emergency number may also be used by United States Customs and Border Protection and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement outside of normal business hours.
- For police or medical emergencies anywhere in the U.S. call 9-1-1.