The WMU Board of Trustees has approved the terms of a new three-year contract with the University's Teaching Assistants Union that is effective for the start of the 2012-13 academic year.

WMU is collecting new living and personal health care products to assemble welcome packs for incoming students who have aged out of the foster care system and may arrive without basic necessities.

Career mentors are being sought to help guide new students entering into WMU's foster youth support program this fall. Application deadline is Thursday, June 21.

Sidney Adams Jr., Patrick Schiffer and retired U.S. Army Col. Richard Sperling will be celebrated during an induction ceremony and dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, June 15, at the College of Aviation in Battle Creek.

Dr. John D. Grace, professor emeritus of geosciences, died May 21 at the age of 79.

Rankin Avenue will be down to one lane until mid-July, and Wilbur Avenue will be down to one lane until August. Short-term closures of Rankin and Wilbur are also planned.

Reducing paper usage, educating incoming students about sustainability and a novel way to produce green electricity are among the research projects WMU students recently won funding to pursue.

A new book by Dr. J. Kevin Corder, professor of political science, shines new light on the 2008 financial crisis by scrutinizing the actions of the Federal Reserve.

Meeting on Thursday, June 7, the WMU Board of Trustees is expected to consider approval of a new three-year contract with the University's Teaching Assistants Union.

WMU President John M. Dunn recently was honored for his and the University's long record of support for employees and students called to active duty by the National Guard or Reserve.

The Kalamazoo Film Society will present eight screenings of the Golden Globe-nominated "The Kid With a Bike" Friday through Sunday, June 15-17, at WMU's Little Theatre.

Students from eight states and Central America will convene on campus July 8-21 for WMU's two-week Seminar summer music camp for high school students.

New agreement enables students to initiate their college studies at Grand Rapids Community College, and seamlessly transfer to WMU to complete a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

More than 40 high school and college students and teachers will be on campus Sunday, June 24, through Friday, June 29, to work with WMU's internationally acclaimed vocal jazz instructors.

The track surface will be replaced and additional drainage installed along the infield edge. The entire fenced area of the track is a construction zone and is closed through late September.

Dr. Sue Ellen Christian, associate professor of communication, offers a fresh take on unbiased reporting in her book "Overcoming Bias: A Journalist's Guide to Culture and Context."

Six staff members received 2011-12 awards from the Administrative Professional Association and Professional Support Staff Organization during the annual APA-PSSO Awards and Spring Luncheon.

Mixer on the Mall in downtown Kalamazoo runs Wednesdays from June 13 to Aug. 22 and features unique, up-and-coming musicians along with beverages and the opportunity to network and meet new people.

Ground will be broken later this summer for a new facility that will be located near the intersection of Howard Street and Oakland Drive on the grounds of what was once the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital.

Live music, food and activities celebrating diversity are highlights of Kalamazoo Pride 2012 from 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 9, at Arcadia Creek Festival Place downtown.

Paula M. Davis was named editor of WMU Magazine, effective May 21, and Christopher A. Hunt has been named marketing communication manager, effective June 4.

Long-standing tradition Concerts in the Park features free performances by musicians from Kalamazoo and the surrounding area Sundays at 4 p.m. in Bronson Park downtown.

Jennifer Hsu has been appointed coordinator for Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Student Services in WMU's Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

WMU's Faculty Senate has elected its 2012-14 Executive Board. Drs. William G. Rantz and C. Dennis Simpson have been chosen to serve as president and vice president, respectively.

Giving members of the campus community the confidence to step forward and help when they see bad behavior is the goal of a new Bystander Initiative dubbed Western Heroes.

Campuswide common read program for all students and employees starts this summer and features the award-winning "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks," by Rebecca Skloot.

Former Fairborn, Ohio, city councilman Frank Cervone recently presented a check to a WMU research team that has spent the past decade focusing its efforts on finding a cure for multiple system atrophy.

In honor of U.S. Memorial Day, there will be no classes Monday, May 28, and except for essential and emergency services, WMU offices will be closed.

Kuanchin Chen, William Cobern, Richard Gershon and Albert LaVergne have received prestigious Fulbright Program awards to work overseas during part of the 2011-12 academic year.

U.S. News & World Report's recently published rankings of graduate programs puts six of WMU's health and human services programs among the best in the nation.