Navigator Network
Buster taking a selfie on his phone.

Buster's got bars! 🛜

Text (888) 619-4678 to start a thread with BusterBot! For after-hours answers to all of your WMU questions, hit up Western's favorite mascot—he’s always on! 

Text BusterBot to get student support

Western's favorite mascot has gone mobile! BusterBot is an SMS chatbot available to undergraduate WMU students. If you have a question about Western Michigan, start by texting BusterBot at (888) 619-4678. He's going to reach out to you, too, to see how your semester is going and share resources and tips.

How to connect

Text Me: BusterBot (888) 619-4678

BusterBot will help you navigate campus life in seconds

BusterBot will reach out to undergraduate students from his number—(888) 619-4678—from time to time throughout the semester to make sure things are going well. If you need support, BusterBot can help navigate what you're dealing with and direct you to the appropriate resource on campus. 

You can DM him, too

You can text BusterBot whenever you have a question—24/7 instant replies, no stress. If you're looking for ideas, he can answer questions about:

  • Your classes and study help
  • Finding an internship
  • Getting involved on campus
  • Financial aid
  • Well-being resources
  • Technology
  • Pro tips for Broncos

Frequently asked questions

BusterBot can help you navigate campus resources that offer student assistance. He is not designed for coursework and can't provide direct help with assignments.

A behaviorally smart chatbot, BusterBot will answer routine questions 24/7, so student support staff can focus on high-value, one-on-one interactions.

BusterBot is going to check in regularly, anywhere from once a month to twice a week. Sometimes he'll just check in to see if things are going well for you, and other times he'll have a game or fun activity!

To block BusterBot, reply STOP to (888) 619-4678. If you're encountering an issue, contact us.

If you decide later that you want to opt back in, text START to (888) 619-4678.

BusterBot is an SMS chatbot tool for undergraduate students at Western. If you're an undergrad and not receiving texts, visit the mobile opt-in page in Banner to check if your phone number is listed correctly. 

Having difficulty? Following the instructions in goWMU for opting into texting.

BusterBot does not learn from individual student conversations. All data is handled in compliance with FERPA.

Engaging with BusterBot is optional, and you can decide to opt out at any time by texting STOP to (888) 619-4678.

While he isn't zero-emission, BusterBot’s footprint is small—a single text uses less energy than scrolling your feed or streaming a video.

In the 2025-26 academic year, BusterBot received nearly 33,000 texts from students, but we know some of you had questions about the sustainability of using an AI-trained chatbot. So, we created this BusterBot and the Environment resource to help answer your questions.

Want to have a say in how BusterBot works?

BusterBot is a tool designed to meet you where you are, so we launched a dedicated feedback loop. If he gives you an incorrect answer, shares a broken link or you just want to offer suggestions, you can let us know in the form below. This chatbot was built exclusively for Broncos, and you should have a say in how it functions.

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Are you having an issue with BusterBot? Please share your experience below, which can include incorrect information, typos, broken links or similar issues.

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