Residence Halls
Fall Break starts Wednesday, Oct. 21. Residence halls and Student Center Dining stay open, but some services will be limited. Here's a quick rundown on what to know.
Staying for Break?
- Register by selecting Residence Halls on the housing portal landing page if you’ll be here anytime Wednesday–Saturday night (Oct. 21-24)
- This helps staff know who’s around for safety
- Plans change? No problem—just update your info in the portal
Heading Home?
- Take out your trash
- Unplug anything not needed
- Lock up and secure your room
Room Checks
- Staff will do supervised room checks Tuesday, Oct. 20 starting at 7 p.m.
- These are safety + maintenance inspections, not personal searches
- If you have questions about room checks, please see hall staff
What’s Different During Break
- Front desks: Close 11 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20 | Reopen 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25
- Hall offices: Open 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Wednesday Oct. 21 and Thursday Oct. 22
- Mail and packages: Processed Wednesday Oct. 21 and Thursday Oct. 22; services paused Friday, Oct. 23 to Sunday, Oct. 25
- University closed: Friday, Oct. 23 (Dining still open)
- Student Center Dining: Reduced hours/menus
Enjoy your break!
Happy September, Broncos!
College life is hopefully starting to feel a little more familiar. Between classes, new routines, friends, and figuring out college life, there’s a lot happening.
- Room changes open starting tomorrow, Tuesday, September 15. Room change will end for the fall semester on November 30.
Room change process:
- Contact the Valley Oaks Hall office if you would like to change rooms within Valley Oaks. If you are looking to move to a different residence hall, please contact their hall office using the information on the Housing and Residence Life webpage: https://wmich.edu/housing/options
- Consult our rates page for information on the cost of single rooms versus double rooms, etc.: https://wmich.edu/housing/info/rates
- In Valley Oaks, we only offer room changes during business hours, so 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can complete a checkout outside of these hours, but you can only pick up new keys while the hall office is open. Once you receive keys to a new room, you have 24 hours to move your belongings and complete a checkout of the old room with an RA or Office Assistant.
- Failure to complete a checkout with an RA or Office Assistant will result in improper checkout charges.
Keep exploring everything WMU has to offer. Check out an RSO, cheer on the Broncos, catch a performance or art show, or try something you haven't done before. College is about what happens outside the classroom, too.
Here are a few things to know as we finish September and head into October:
- Fall Break is Oct. 21-23. The building and dining will remain open, but some services are reduced.
- Family Weekend is Oct. 30-Nov. 1. If your family is planning to visit, it's a great weekend to show them around and enjoy campus together. Planning to have siblings stay overnight? Siblings must be 18 or older to stay in the residence halls.
We hope Valley Oaks is becoming a place where you can relax, connect, and feel at home. Keep saying hello, showing up, and trying new things. You can check out what’s happening by scanning the posters throughout the building.
Stop by the hall office if you have a question or just need help figuring something out. We’re here for you!
Go Broncos!
Before you arrive
Check our Move-In Information online—especially the sections on Before You Arrive, Move-In Day, and After You Arrive.
On your scheduled arrival day, please:
- Complete the online check-in in the housing portal and bring a screenshot or email confirmation.
- Bring a photo ID.
- Know your hall and room number – you can look it up in the housing portal under View my Assignment.
- If you don’t have your WMU student ID, visit Parking Services to get one. Your ID is required to enter your building after hours.
- Parking Services is open until 5 p.m. Aug. 27 and 28, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 29.
Dining during move-in: WMU Dining Services will be open only to enrolled students and Fall Welcome staff. Please bring your own food and drinks or plan to eat off campus. Meal plans begin Aug. 30.
When you arrive
- Staff will direct you to unloading spots in front of your hall.
- Go inside to check in while family or friends unload your belongings onto the grass.
- Keep sidewalks clear for people and carts.
- Carts are available to check out inside the hall.
- Once unloaded, move your vehicle to a nearby parking lot so others can unload.
Reminder: You have a 5:30 p.m. building meeting before heading out to meet your Fall Welcome ambassador.
Mail and Packages
Housing will begin accepting mail and packages on Aug. 24. For details, see the July summer updates email.
We look forward to seeing you in a few days!
Housing and Residence Life Staff
Move-In Is Just Four Weeks Away!
We’re so excited to welcome you to campus soon!
Starting Monday, August 3, you can sign up for your move-in day and time. You’ll choose a 45-minute arrival window—this is when you’ll check in, get your key, and unload your car. After that, you’ll have plenty of time to move in and get settled!
How to choose your move-in time
- Log into the housing portal.
- Click Residence Halls >> Move-in Timeslot Selection.
- Pick August 27, 28, or 29 and then select a 45-minute arrival block. Arrival blocks start at 9 a.m.
- You can change your time slot until 5 p.m. on August 24.
- If you’re in Bronco Marching Band, your move-in time will come from your band director.
What to expect at move-in
Visit our website to learn what to do before, during and after move-in day. We’ll also send final details in an email on August 20.
Follow us on social media for packing advice, meeting your staff, learning about your hall, etc.
Fall semester is almost here! We're getting everything ready for move-in and can't wait to welcome you to campus. Below are a few updates to help you prepare.
This email covers:
- Roommate advice
- Mail and packages – mail deliver, package notification and unclaimed packages
- Valley Oaks and Henry – Amazon Lockers
- Important dates
- Plan ahead (links to helpful stuff)
Roommate Advice
Helpful advice about living with a roommate is online. We’ll also have talking points in your room to help you both discuss rules and expectations for the room.
Mail and Packages
Each hall processes mail and packages for its residents.
- Mail is delivered to your hall by 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday.
- Valley Oaks residents: Your mail comes to a mailroom vs. individual mailboxes. The mailroom is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. -7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Package notification is emailed your WMU account with pick up instructions. Packages should be picked up within 10 days.
- We begin accepting mail and packages on August 24.
- Some retailers (including Amazon Flex, OnTrac, SpeedX, and similar delivery services) use drivers who may not be familiar with campus. This can occasionally delay delivery if a package is left at the wrong location. Housing staff will process packages that are delivered directly to your hall office during regular business hours.
- Unclaimed packages: Packages not picked up within 10 days will be returned to the sender when possible. If they cannot be returned, they may be donated, recycled, or otherwise disposed of through University procedures.
Valley Oaks and Henry Hall residents: If you're ordering from Amazon, you may be able to select the Amazon Locker in your building during checkout (when space is available). Lockers are available 24/7, making pickup easy. Be sure to collect your package before Amazon's pickup window expires. If you don't use the locker, your package will be delivered to your hall office instead.
Important Dates
- July 31: Move-in basics emailed; room changes end at 5 p.m.
- Aug. 3 @ 10 a.m.: First-year students can select a move-in day/time (Aug. 3 - 24)
- Aug. 3: Meal plan changes open (limited to one change 8/3-9/30)
- Aug. 16: Last day to order ExoMax mini fridges, futons or rugs for in-room delivery
- Aug. 20: Move-in final directions and pre-arrival form link
Plan Ahead
💼 What to Bring: wmich.edu/housing/new-students/bring-list
🛋️ Room Furniture: wmich.edu/housing/furniture
👯♀️ Roommates: wmich.edu/housing/new-students/relationships
🧺 Laundry: wmich.edu/housing/info/laundry
📬 Mail: wmich.edu/housing/new-students/mail
📖 Policies: wmich.edu/housing/info/policies
🛠️ Hall Services: wmich.edu/housing/info/services
See you in August!
Housing and Residence Life
Apartments
Hello,
Over the coming weeks, you may notice students moving in and out around your apartment complex or even in your own apartment. If your contract is ending and you are moving out, please pay close attention to your email for specific move-out instructions – regardless if you are moving out soon or continuing on in your apartment, we are happy you chose to live with us!
If you are in a multi-bedroom apartment with bed spaces that are currently vacant, or in an apartment that someone moves out of, please be advised that members of our Housing and Residence Life staff, as well as representatives from Facilities/Maintenance, Pest Control and custodial staff will be accessing your unit as we prepare to welcome new residents throughout the summer and into fall.
As a reminder, new residents can be assigned to vacant spaces in apartments at any time. To check to see if there is someone moving into your apartment (for multi-bedroom apartments) for fall, please utilize the “View My Assignment” option on the Housing Portal beginning at the end of June. If you have a vacant space in your apartment, please check this regularly after that time as someone can be added at any time. It is expected that common/shared spaces in your apartment such as the kitchen, living room and/or shared bathrooms are kept clean and ready for new residents at all times. If you are welcoming a new roommate to your unit we expect that the unit is ready and comfortable for a new resident, including space available for the new person as well as the apartment being clean.
It is very important that you set a mail-forwarding address with USPS if you are moving out. Housing and Residence Life staff is not responsible for mail sent to your apartment after you move out and cannot access the mail sent to you. Please ensure that you change your address on all subscriptions, with your employers (this is very important for when tax documents are mailed next January) and share your updated address with any loved ones or friends who may be mailing you things! When ordering online in the future, please double check and make sure you are not accidentally sending the order to an apartment you no longer live in. Mail forwarding information for USPS can be found here: https://www.usps.com/manage/forward.htm.
If you have any questions regarding apartment turnover or move out, please contact your Resident Manager or call the Housing and Residence Life Office. The contact information for your Resident Manager can be found on posters around your residential area.
A note from the Facilities/Maintenance staff: If you use Command Strips or any sort of wall adhesive (including LED light strips) in your unit, please leave them on the walls when you move out if you do not want to keep them. If you remove them and damage occurs on the walls, you will be responsible for the cost of repairing that damage. Our staff is equipped to carefully remove these adhesives to prevent damage.
Thank you,
WMU Apartments Staff