Student Communication | Residence Life | Western Michigan University

Residence Life uses students' WMU email accounts for all business-related communication. Copies of key information and updates can be viewed here.

6/30/2020 - Western View, roommate and move-in information

6/30/2020 - Goldsworth Valley, Spindler and Stadium Drive — roommate and move-in information

6/26/2020 - Western View, current residents — options for fall

6/26/2020 - Residence hall room selection details for new students

6/15/2020 - Housing updates, room selection postponed

6/30/2020 - Western View, roommate and move-in information

Your apartment address is now available. If you are in a 2, 3, or 4 bedroom unit roommate information (including contact information to arrange Consumers account) is also available. Log into GoWMU, and under the My Self Service section on the left choose the link "Residence Life Housing." On the housing portal please click on the link that says “View My Assignment Information”.

Move-in Information for New Residents
Please review the following items pertaining to the move-in process prior to your move into Western View.

Move-in day is Thursday, Aug. 13. In order to obtain your keys, you will need to complete the online check-in process prior to moving in. The online check-in will not be available on your GoWMU until the day of your move-in. Please see the following directions to complete the online check-in on the day of your move-in:

Log into your GoWMU
Go into the Housing Portal
Click on Apartments – Arcadia Flats and Western View
Click on the link “Fall Apartment Check-In”
Read all sections and check the boxes to acknowledge you’ve read, and understand, each section
Please note that all move-ins must be during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After completing the online check-in process you can pick up your keys at the Faunce Student Services building between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Please call the Residence Life Office at (269) 387-4735 when you arrive at the building, the number will also be posted on the door. You will need a form of ID to receive your keys. Residence Life is only open Monday-Friday; the office is not open on the weekends for check-ins

If you need to purchase a new Bronco Card, you will need to go to the Bronco Card Center before move-in. Residence Life will send you more specific information about location and hours of operation closer to move in.

Want to move in earlier?
We’re excited to offer you the option to move in early this year. Beginning July 1, you may request any of the following move-in dates:

Monday, Aug. 3
Tuesday, Aug. 4
Wednesday, Aug. 5
Thursday, Aug. 6
Friday, Aug. 7
Monday, Aug. 10
Tuesday, Aug. 11
Wednesday, Aug. 12

To request early move-in please log in to the housing portal via GoWMU>>Western View Apartments>>Early Move-in Request.

*Please note that your rent will start with your early move-in date. Rent is calculated by dividing your monthly rate by the number of days in the month of August (31). Example: If you choose to move-in on Aug. 3 and will be living in a one bedroom unfurnished apartment it will add approximately $255.20 to your fall charges for the additional 14 nights.

Once you request an early move-in date that date is locked in and you cannot make any changes. You will be charged the additional rent even if you pick-up your keys at a later date.

IMPORTANT UTILITY INFORMATION FOR NEW RESIDENTS

All residents arriving on Aug. 13 (or sooner if you select early move-in) need to bring the name of the resident in your unit who has the Consumer’s Energy account in their name. If you are the one responsible for having the account in your name, please bring the confirmation number given to you when you placed the order. We recommended that this is completed prior to Aug. 15 as you will not be issued any keys until we have this information.

*If you select an early move-in date you will need to provide this information when you pick up your keys.

You can reach Consumer’s Energy at (800) 477-5050 or www.consumersenergy.com.

We look forward to meeting you!

6/30/2020 - Goldsworth Valley, Spindler and Stadium Drive — Roommate and Move-in information

Your apartment address is now available. If you are in a 2-bedroom unit roommate information is also available. Log into GoWMU, and under the My Self Service section on the left choose the link "Residence Life Housing." On the housing portal please click on the link that says “View My Assignment Information”.

Move-in Information for New Residents

Please review the following items pertaining to the move-in process prior to your move into WMU Apartment/Spindler Hall room.

Move-in day is Friday, Aug. 28. In order to obtain your keys, you will need to complete the online check-in process prior to moving in. The online check-in will not be available on your GoWMU until the day of your move-in. Please see the following directions to complete the online check-in on the day of your move-in:

Log into your GoWMU
Go into the Housing Portal
Click on Apartments – Goldsworth Valley Apts, Stadium Drive Apts, and Spindler Hall
Click on the link “Fall Apartment Check-In”
Read all sections and check the boxes to acknowledge you’ve read, and understand each section
Please note that all move-ins must be during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After completing the online check-in process you can pick up your keys at the Faunce Student Services building between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Please call the Residence Life Office at 269-387-4735 when you arrive at the building, the number will also be posted on the door. You will need a form of ID to receive your keys. Residence Life is only open Monday-Friday; the office is not open on the weekends for check-ins.

We look forward to meeting you!

6/26/2020 - Western View, current residents — options for fall

Hello Western View resident,

Housing and Residence Life is excited that you have chosen to return to the Western View community with your new contract beginning July 1.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought us some very difficult and unprecedented challenges. Housing and Residence Life has responded to the needs for adjusted processes and procedures that allow our students to make the best decisions for themselves in this ever-changing environment.

Recently, the University announced that students will be returning for the fall semester with courses offered through a variety of learning modalities. Some will be offered in-person, some through distance education and other courses will be delivered using a combination of these approaches. You may not know how your classes will be delivered at this time. As such, we realize it may be difficult to decide if you want to start your new Western View contract or complete fall semester studies from home. Housing and Residence Life would like to relieve some of that pressure. You may choose to enter into your new Western View contract starting July 1. If you learn that all of your classes will be remote for the fall semester, you will be allowed to cancel your contract with no penalty if you do so by 5 p.m. on July 20. To cancel your contract, sign in to the housing portal, click on Contract/Lease Cancellation Request and then follow the prompts.

Once Housing and Residence Life confirms all of your classes will be delivered via distance education, you will receive an approved cancellation email and move-out instructions. You will then be responsible for moving out of your Western View Apartment no later than 11:59 p.m. on July 31. If you fail to move out of your unit by that time and date, we will assume you have changed your mind and you will be charged for the remainder of your contract. If you move out of your unit on time, your contract will be prorated up to the date of your move out.

Please note that should you decide to move back into an apartment for the spring semester, there is no guarantee that your unit will still be available, as it may be occupied by another resident.

Please take the time to review this option and reach out to our office with any questions. Thank you for choosing University housing. We are always proud to serve you.

Respectfully,

Steven Palmer
Director of Housing and Residence Life
269-387-4735

6/26/2020 - Residence hall room selection details for new students

Dear Western Michigan University student,

It is almost time to choose your room!

Your scheduled day and time to enter the housing system to select a residence hall room and meal plan for Fall 2020/Spring 2021 is below. All times are EST.

Your Scheduled Start Time
July X, 2020 XXXX

You can select your room at or any time after your assigned start time, but not earlier. Watch our short video to get familiar with how to search and select a room. If you do not select a room by July 30, we will assign you one and select the Gold Meal Plan.

Housing changes were made for 2020-21.

Public health concerns, social distancing requirements, and related constraints brought on by COVID-19 required us to temporarily forego the use of some facilities. We realize this news may be disappointing. Please know that we took each decision seriously and made them with great care and consideration.

Halls closed: Ernest and Smith Burnhams, Henry Hall
Ackley Hall (Valley 1) designated a non-food hall, meaning a meal plan is optional (option also available in Britton and Hadley Halls)
Learning community changes:

o Aviation House moved to Ackley Hall (Valley 1)

o Education Community discontinued

o Fine Arts House moved to Harvey Hall (Valley 2)

o Human Performance House discontinued

o Honors subsets in business, engineering and fine arts, as well as the Honors STEM/Health option, discontinued – Honors Community remains

Single rooms converted back to double occupancy rooms - Building closures due to the Hilltop Village project and COVID-19 mean we no longer have that flexibility. Decisions for full occupancy double rooms were made in consultation with Kalamazoo Health and Community Services Department.

Choosing your room:

Login to the housing portal by clicking here. Select Residence Halls >> Fall + Spring Room and Meal Plan Selection.
View our short video or read more detailed directions online about how to navigate through halls and floors to open beds and rooms.
Open beds will be green or an open circle. Occupied beds have an X or are a solid. If you want to learn about who is already in the room, click on the X to see their age, college and roommate profile.
Decide what meal plan you want before beginning. Once you choose your room, you have 10 minutes to complete the process and click submit.

Roommate information:

Roommate Groups must be completed prior to room selection. If you invited someone to be in a Roommate Group, they must accept before you select a room.
You will not be able to add a roommate after you select a room.
Only one Roommate Group member will choose a room and meal plan. The other person will automatically be assigned to that room and receive an email with the assignment. If you are the one choosing the room, be sure to ask what meal plan your roommate wants.

Notables:

Room selection happens in groups of 25 people every 15 minutes so there is no need to rush during your selection time.
Day 1 of room selection last year, 60% chose a Western Heights building but 40% chose a learning community or another hall. If you do not get a first day time slot, it does not mean you will not be able to choose what you want.

Roommate names and contact details will be sent to your WMU email on July 24.

Move-in Plans:

Our plan for move-in is being reviewed by the University’s COVID-19 taskforce. Once approved, we will send an email in mid-July. You can anticipate the following:

You will be assigned an arrival time between Aug. 27 and 29 – assigned day based on college or special program
Check-in process to be as touchless as possible
Limited to two move-in helpers
Masks to be worn at all times
Added custodial presence

Bronco Connection:

Eager to connect with some current Broncos? Live virtual community sessions will be hosted by student organizations, clubs, departments, and academic colleges. Meet your peers with common interests, learn how to get involved, and start building your community at WMU. Sessions will start in July, but check back often as new sessions will be added frequently. Be sure to RSVP for these live small-group sessions. Details and registration: https://experiencewmu.wmich.edu/events?categories=15752

Helpful links:

Choosing a room
Residence hall comparison chart
Learning communities
2020-21 rates
What to know over summer – residence hall orientation

Be well,
Residence Life Staff

6/15/2020 - Housing updates, room selection postponed

Dear Western Michigan University student,

We are thrilled to write to you with that salutation and hope that you are looking forward to joining our community this fall. While the last few weeks have not unfolded in a way any of us expected, rest assured that your University is preparing to welcome you this fall and offer you the high-quality educational experience that first attracted you to our campus.

As we work through the challenges posed to our system by the COVID-19 pandemic, our efforts are guided by the core value of putting our students first. Your educational needs, your health, safety and living experiences are at the heart of every decision we make.

Leaders across WMU are keeping abreast of current state and federal health directives and are busily making contingency plans for opening campus for in-person learning this fall to the fullest extent possible. While science, data and governmental actions will guide our final plans, we are doing our best to have all preparations completed for a grand fall welcome.

As such, we are postponing new student room selection to July 13 as we re-evaluate housing and the University finalizes plans for fall. We will send updates as we know them, and we are looking forward to welcoming you to campus in August.

Housing and Dining Rates

COVID-19 has impacted students and families in unprecedented ways, and we are sensitive to the situations that many students and families are currently facing. There will be no housing and dining rate increase for 2020-21. Your housing and dining rates are available here.

Choosing Your Room – Postponed to July 13 for new students

We will email a fall update on June 26. The email will have your assigned day and time to enter the housing portal to choose a hall, room and meal plan. Some hall and learning community options may change.

Choosing Your Roommate

Want a roommate and still looking for someone? Our Roommate Finder is live and is a great way to search for someone with similar social habits, lifestyle and interests. Once you know your roommate, make a Roommate Group to link in our system. That is how you both get to claim the same room. Roommate Groups should be completed before room selection starts.

Move-In

Move-in will be in late August. Our original move-in dates and times may change as we discuss how to further spread out arrivals. Watch your email for updates later this summer.

Cancelling Housing

If you no longer plan to attend WMU, you can cancel your housing without financial penalty through July 1. Cancellations July 2 through July 31 are charged $100. Log into the housing portal and click the “Cancel Contract” link near the bottom of the page.

If you still plan to attend WMU and no longer need housing, there is a $300 fee until July 1 and then goes up to $400.

Please note: Residence Life is unable to cancel your contract for you under any circumstance. To cancel your contract, you must complete a cancellation request.

Click here for the full cancellation fee schedule.

Should the University make the decision to transition to distance learning, Residence Life will notify all residents of any updated information regarding room cancellation, fees etc.

You have a lot of decisions to make and plans to finalize. It’s exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. If you need any help or guidance, please contact us at (269) 387-4735 or WMU-housing@wmich.edu.

Many things are different in our world, in our country and on our campus than they were when 2020 began. But some of the most important things remain: Western Michigan University is a strong and resilient institution that prepares students for fulfilling careers and positive life experiences. You will be challenged, encouraged and pushed to excel at every turn, and you will graduate prepared for whatever your future holds.

Be well,
Residence Life Staff