student with laptop at desk in their residence hall room

Student Communication

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

Residence Halls

  • 12/2/2021 - Residence halls close for holiday recess

    Subject:  Residence halls close for holiday recess

    The residence halls close for holiday recess 7 p.m. Friday, December 17.  They reopen at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 8, and food service resumes Monday, Jan. 10.  WMU and the housing office will be closed starting December 24 and reopens January 4, 2022.

    If you are coming back this spring:

    You do not need to move out of your room.  Take home the things you will need over break and secure your room.  To prevent pests, take out your trash and recycling, remove food that will spoil, clean dishes left in the room, and close and lock your windows.  Unplug non-essential electrical items.  Access to your hall will not be available Dec. 18 to Jan. 7. 

    Staff will be doing supervised room checks beginning 7 p.m. Dec. 17.  The checks are for maintenance and safety inspections, and they are done while still respecting your privacy. 

    Residence halls reopen Saturday, Jan. 8 at 10 a.m.  You may return then or any time there after.

    If you are not returning to WMU:

    Click here for more information.

    1. Request to cancel your housing contract.  Sign into the housing portal and fill out the cancellation request.  You will receive an email regarding your cancellation status. The portal is located at GoWMU >> My Self Service >> All Links>>Residence Life Housing.
    2. Empty, clean and wipe down your part of the room as well as the bathroom (suites). Return your bed to its original set-up position.  
    3. Make arrangements with Bedloft to return any MicroFridges (www.bedloft.com).
    4. Return your room key via the established process in your hall.  The hall office or your RA can give you information.
    5. Change your mail forwarding information on GoWMU. 

    If your roommate moves out:

    If your roommate leaves, please keep the second half of the room open for new students joining us in January.  They will move in starting January 8.  If you get a new roommate, you will receive an email right before the residence halls reopen.

    Employment opportunities:

    Applications for 2022-23 resident assistants and learning community assistants are live.  Contact your hall’s graduate assistant to inquire about desk staff vacancies. Applications for resident managers in the WMU apartments are live in the housing portal.

    Change your meal plan for Spring:

    Students can change their spring meal plan once between Dec. 1 and Jan. 29, 2022.  Changes are done via the housing portal (GoWMU >> My Self Service >>All Links>> Residence Life Housing).

    If you have questions, please contact us at WMU-housing@wmich.edu or 269-387-4735.

    Good luck on finals and enjoy break!

  • 11/15/2021 - Thanksgiving break reminders

    Subject:  Thanksgiving Break Reminders

    All residence halls remain open during break.  Reduced services include:

    • No mail delivery Thursday, Nov. 25 to Monday, Nov. 29
    • Front desks close Wednesday, Nov. 24 and reopen Sunday, Nov. 28
    • Hall offices close Thursday, Nov. 27 and reopen Monday, Nov. 29
    • Dining closes at 1 pm Wednesday, Nov. 24 and reopens at breakfast Monday, Nov. 29

    Staff are not doing room checks.  However, they will enter a room if a window was left open.

    If you are staying for part/all of break:

    Register online so we know when you will be here:  https://www.sais.wmich.edu/SelectSurvey/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=8lKKn67M

    A staff member will be on duty at all times during the break and will be available to assist you.  Information on how to contact staff will be posted on your floor, at your hall front desk and outside of your building.

    If you are leaving for break:

    • Close and secure windows; close blinds.  If you are on a ground or roof level room, insert the wooden security stick in the window track (if you do not have one, see your hall office).
    • Take out all of your trash to the dumpster and recyclables to the appropriate bin outside.
    • Shut off and unplug all unnecessary appliances (TV, computer).
    • Clear your heat register of any obstruction.
    • Take home any valuables.
    • Clean and lock bathrooms.  

    COVID-19 Testing Reminder

    In order to protect the campus community, WMU has created the COVID-19 testing program. Students, faculty and staff who live, attend classes or use resources at any of Western's campuses must test regularly unless they are fully vaccinated (14 days past their final dose) and have had their vaccination status verified by Sindecuse Health Center. 

    Mandatory no-cost testing will continue every week. Individuals will continue to participate in regular testing until they are fully vaccinated and verified. Learn more about testing here. You can learn more about our commitment to keeping the campus community safe during COVID-19 here. 

    Please contact hall staff if you have any questions.  Enjoy your break!

  • 10/13/2021 - Fall Break information

    Subject:  Fall Break Information

    Fall Break begins Wednesday, Oct. 20.  While classes are canceled Wednesday through Friday, residence halls and dining remain open with reduced services. 

    Staying for Break

    Leaving for Break

    Register if you are staying for all or part of break (Wednesday – Saturday night).  It helps us look out for everyone’s safety if we know who will be around.  If your plans change, you may update your information at any time.

    Take out trash, unplug unnecessary items, and secure your room.

    Room Checks

    Staff will be doing supervised room checks beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19. The checks are for maintenance and safety inspections, and they are done while still respecting your privacy. If you have questions about room checks, please see your hall director.

    Fall Break Dining Hours – Henry Grab’n Go

    Wednesday, Oct. 20 through Friday, Oct. 22

    • Breakfast 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
    • Lunch 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
    • Dinner 5 to 7 p.m.

    Saturday, Oct. 23

    • Noon to 6 p.m.

    Sunday, Oct. 24

    • Henry Grab’n Go:  Noon to 6 p.m.
    • Valley Dining Center:  4 to 8 p.m.

    Normal serving hours for dining resume on Monday, Oct. 25.

    COVID Testing Clarification

    Students who do not have a verified COVID vaccine will need to continue weekly testing at the Fetzer Center.  Testing is continuing all semester.  If you are going to be gone for break, please do your testing prior to departing next week.

  • 09/13/21 – Room change now available

    If you are interested in changing your room or residence hall below are the steps you need to take.

    Contact the hall office of whichever building you would like to live in. You can walk over or call the hall office. Hall offices are able to tell you what is available and walk you through the process of changing rooms.

    • Britton/Hadley – (269) 387-6603
    • Garneau/Harvey – (269) 387-4763
    • Eicher/LeFevre – (269) 387-4770
    • Harrison/Stinson – (269) 387-6612
    • Eldridge/Fox – (269) 387-6619
    • Western Heights complex – both Hall-Archer-Pickard East and Hall-Archer-Pickard West please email rl-whgts-ara@wmich.edu or call (269) 387-4717.

    Eligibility:

    • You must be eligible for the space you want to live in. For example, if you would like to move to Western Heights you must be a beginner.
    • All rooms that are completely empty must have two people moving in together.
    • All room changes must be completed by December 1, 2021. If you don’t move by then, you’ll need to wait until room change opens up again in January 2022.

    Singles:

    • If you live in a room with an available bed you may choose to purchase the room as a single by contacting your hall director. If you do not purchase it as a single you may receive a roommate at any time. Once someone has been assigned to the space you cannot purchase it as a single.

    Doubles:

    • Please understand, living in a double room without a current roommate is different than living in a single room. 
    • If a roommate is assigned to your room and the room is not ready to receive a roommate, you may be automatically charged for a single and be subject to conduct.
    • You may not get notice of a roommate moving into your double room.
  • 8/21/21 - Pre-arrival form link and what to expect at move-in

    Subject:  Move-in pre-arrival form

    We are excited to welcome you to campus next week.  As a reminder, masks are required of students and guests regardless of vaccination status. 

    Before arriving on campus

    The day you are scheduled to arrive on campus, please: 

    • Complete the online check-in the housing portal. The form goes live Monday, Aug. 23.  Show housing staff the confirmation email when you get to the building.  See below for notes if you have trouble logging into the portal.
    • Bring a photo ID
    • First-year students:  Check the Student Orientation Hub for your QR code needed to check in for Fall Welcome

    WMU Dining Services is limiting dining to enrolled students and Fall Welcome program staff only during move-in. Please plan accordingly and eat before or after moving into your hall at an off-campus location, or pack your own beverages and meals.  

    When you arrive

    Pull in front of the building.  Students will go inside to check in while family/friends unload onto the grass.  Carts are available to help transport things to your room.  When the car is empty, we encourage moving it to a nearby parking lot in order to open space in front of the hall for the next student to arrive. 

    Aug. 26 – 28 arrival notes: 

    • Volunteers will be in the roadways to issue an unloading pass and direct you where to unload.  The passes show where to park for the day, including Valley overflow parking when Valley lots fill up.
    • Valley 2 road is one-way 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Students have a 5:30 p.m. building meeting prior to leaving to meet their Fall Welcome ambassador.

    Trouble logging into the portal

    IT recommends trying the following if you have trouble logging in to the portal.

    • Try incognito mode.
    • Clear your cache.
    • If you bookmarked the portal, unmark it and log back in via GoWMU (My Self Service >> Residence Life Housing)
  • 8/6/21 - Sign up for move-in time (first-year students and Fall Welcome participants)

    Subject:  Choose your move-in time

    Can you believe move-in is three weeks away!  Your designated arrival day is below.  Starting Monday, Aug. 9, you can sign up for your move-in time.  The 60-minute block is the window to arrive, get your room key, and unload the car.  You have all day to take things to your room and get settled. 

    Choose your move-in time – One-hour slots between 9 a.m. and noon and 1 and 5 p.m.  

    Arrival schedule

    Aug. 26

    • AROTC, AFROTC
    • College of Aviation
    • College of Education and Human Development
    • Lee Honors College

    Aug. 27

    • College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
    • First-year seminar students (course FYE-2100)
    • Transfer students participating in Fall Welcome

    o   If you match an Aug. 26 category, you may come that day.

    Aug. 28

    • all remaining first-year students arrive
    • Sophomores who lived at home, had all online classes 2021-22, and are registered for Fall Welcome

    Final details about move-in will be emailed Aug. 20.  Click here for more information now.

    Masks

    As of Aug. 4, masks are required of vaccinated and unvaccinated students and guests on campus.  This is a change from recent information mailed home.  Continue to monitor our COVID information page for updates.

    WMU ID

    If you submitted your photo for your Bronco ID, you will receive it when you arrive.  If you have not sent in a photo, please submit it as soon as possible.

    Vendor deadlines for in-room delivery are coming up!  Microfridge orders are due August 12.

    If you have questions, please contact us at WMU_housing@wmich.edu or 269-387-4735.

  • 7/27/21 - Summer updates

    Subject:  Housing Updates for Fall

    We hope you are getting excited about fall semester.  Our staff is finalizing plans for a smooth move-in and creating welcoming, engaged floor communities.  WMU recently revised several of its COVID-related polices, as did Housing.  Updates are below, as well as two service changes. 

    Guests

    Housing’s guest policy is returning to its pre-pandemic status. Students may have up to two guests who are at least 18-years-old.  Guests are permitted to stay overnight with prior consent of all roommates and suitemates, if applicable.  Hosts are responsible for all guest behavior.  Off campus guests and non-vaccinated WMU students must wear a mask while indoors. 

    Masks

    Masking is not required in your room.  Masking is required in public areas unless:

    • You are fully vaccinated and verified by Sindecuse Health Center as indicated on your badge.
    • You have a medical exemption to not wear a mask.

    Guests are required to wear masks inside all residence halls unless they are fully vaccinated.

    Entertainment

    Students use the WMU network to access and stream content from their own personal streaming accounts.   There is no University provided cable at this time.

    Laundry

    Laundry is free for on-campus students.  You can check the status of your laundry by visiting washview.com. Get an email or text message when your laundry is complete.

    Campus Vaccine Clinics

    Sindecuse Health Center is offering free COVID vaccines.  No appointment is necessary.  Simply walk in or drive up.  Bring a picture ID.

    • Aug. 30 from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
    • Aug. 31 from 1 to 4 p.m.

    Summer Calendar

    • July 28 - Carpet order deadline for in-room delivery
    • Aug. 6 - First-year students emailed directions on choosing a move-in time
    • Aug. 9 - Meal plan changes for fall begin – limited to one change 8/9-9/30
    • Aug. 12 - Microfridge and futon order deadline for in-room delivery
    • Aug. 20 - Move-in final directions and pre-arrival form link
  • 06/24/21 - Roommate information, room changes, rates

    Subject:  Roommate information, room changes, rates

    Roommate information and floor plans are live! 

    If you need your roommate’s contact information or a floor map to see where your room is located, the information will be live at noon tomorrow, June 25. Log into the housing system and choose View My Assignments.  

    If you have questions, please contact the Housing and Residence Life office at (269) 387-4735 or WMU-housing @wmich.edu.  We are unable to share suitemate information.

    How do I Change My Housing?

    If you would like to change your residence hall room, you may do so in the housing portal starting 10 a.m. EST July 6.  Because more than 3,000 students are in rooms, you may need to look at multiple halls or floors to find a new space.

    • Roommate groups used during room selection are not used during room change. If you had a roommate group and both you and your roommate wish to change rooms, you must each complete your own room change. (You must both pick the same empty room, one at a time.) 
    • Hint:  The building dropdown menu on the left indicates how many open spaces are in the hall.  Hit the down arrow by the hall name, and you will see the number of spaces on each floor in parenthesis.  Rooms with an open bed are outlined in green.

    Room changes close at 5 p.m. July 20.  The next room change period will begin in mid-September.  During July, you are limited to 5 total changes and can make one change per 24-hour period.

    Housing and Dining Rates

    WMU’s Board of Trustees are voting on housing and dining rates today.  Rates for 2021-22 will be posted on our website by 5 p.m. June 24.

    Move-in Information

    Click here for the full schedule and current details about our move-in process.  Decisions are still being made about masks, limit of two helpers and COVID screening questions. Updates will be provided in our July and August emails.

    Guest Policy Update

    Housing’s guest policy is returning to its pre-pandemic status.  Students may have up to two guests who are at least 18-years-old.  More information is on our policy webpage.

    Upcoming dates:

    7/20 @ 5 p.m. – last day to make room or roommate changes before move-in

    7/28 Carpet order deadline for in-room delivery  

    8/1 Deadline to submit your photo to get your student ID at check-in

    8/6 New students emailed directions on choosing a move-in time

    8/9 Meal plan changes for fall begin – limited to one change 8/9-9/30

    8/12 Microfridge and futon order deadline for in-room delivery  

    8/20 Move-in final directions and pre-arrival form link

    Helpful links:

     

  • 06/04/21 - Move-in dates for first-year students

    New International Students

    Subject:  Campus housing arrival information

    Housing and Residence Life is looking forward to welcoming you to campus.  You will be able to move in beginning 9 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 24.  You may arrive any time that day or evening. If you arrive before Aug. 24, please plan to stay in a local hotel.

    For more information about move-in, please visit wmich.edu/housing/new-students/movein.  Additional move-in directions will be emailed in August. 

     

    Beginners

    Subject:  Housing move-in schedule

    Residence hall move-in is a multi-day process. Your assigned arrival day is below. Information about your individual arrival time will be emailed to you Aug. 9. For more information about move-in, please visit wmich.edu/housing/new-students/movein. Additional move-in directions will be emailed in August.

    Aug. 24 - Local drop off day:  Kalamazoo County students drop off belongings, return Aug. 26-28 for Fall Welcome move-in. Eligible students to be emailed week of Aug. 2.

    Aug. 26 - move in for the following groups:

    • AROTC, AFROTC 
    • College of Aviation 
    • College of Education and Human Development
    • Lee Honors College

    Aug. 27 - move in for the following groups:

    • College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
    • First-year seminar students (course FYE-2100)

    Aug. 28 – all remaining first-year students arrive

    Bronco Marching Band and fall athletes - Move-in will be communicated by the band director or your coach. 

     

    Transfers

    Subject:  Housing move-in schedule

    Residence hall move-in is a multi-day process. As a new transfer student, when you arrive depends on if you are participating in the University’s Fall Welcome program. Additional move-in directions will be emailed in August.

    Not participating in Fall Welcome:  

    • Move-in begins 9 a.m. Aug. 29 - 31. You may come on the day of your choosing.

    Participating in Fall Welcome:  

    • Move in Aug. 26 if you are in one of these groups:

      • AROTC, AFROTC 

      • College of Aviation 

      • College of Education and Human Development

      • Lee Honors College

    • All other transfer students move in Aug. 27.  

    • Information about your individual arrival time will be emailed to you Aug. 9.

    Bronco Marching Band and fall athletes:

    • Move-in will be communicated by the band director or your coach.

    For more information about move-in, please visit wmich.edu/housing/new-students/movein.  Additional details will be emailed in August.

  • 05/17/21 – Room selection

    It is almost time to choose your room!

    Your scheduled day and time to select a residence hall room and meal plan for Fall 2021/Spring 2022 is below. All times are EST.

    [Your Scheduled Start Time]

    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.  

    Take a tour 

    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 circle. 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. The other person will automatically be assigned the same space. Talk beforehand about what meal plan each person wants. Whoever chooses the room will enter the meal plan preference for each roommate.   

    Canceling housing

    Please see our cancellation schedule. Fees are dependent on when you cancel and if you are taking classes or not.  First year students with all online courses have until July 16 to cancel housing.

    Summer Communication Calendar 

    The following emails will be sent after 5 p.m. EST to your WMU account.  Additional emails will be added if there are significant updates for fall.  A copy of all of these emails will be posted on our Student Notices webpage.

    June 4 

     Updates, move-in groups for new students (who comes which day)

    June 24 

     Roommate information (how to look up your roommate, their contact information)
     Move-in information, move-in arrival dates  

    July TBD

     Summer updates

    Aug. 6 or 9 

     Move-in – your designated day and time to move in

    Aug. 20 

     Move-in – instructions, pre-arrival form link 

    Helpful links

Apartments

Student Communication 2020-21