WMU News

WMU News
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400

How to find out if WMU is closed

Photo of an alert sign
Click this logo in GoWMU to register your phone number in the WMU Alert system.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University will immediately announce closings due to severe weather or emergency conditions. Assume the University is open and will continue normal operation unless notified in one of four ways:

  • Go to wmich.edu
    Closing announcements will be posted on the WMU home page and additional information will be posted in WMU News as it becomes available. Refresh webpages to see the most-recent version.
  • Call (269) 387-1001
    Closing announcements will be available on the emergency information line.
  • Check radio and TV
    Area radio and television stations are notified as soon as a decision is made to close the University.

In addition, subscribers to the WMU Alert system will receive a message about a weather closing.

Assume WMU is open. In the absence of notification via one of the methods listed, all normal operations will continue as scheduled. University closings due to severe weather or other conditions are rare.

Regional locations

For information on the status of regional locations during a closure of WMU's Kalamazoo Campus or during times of extreme weather, visit the Extended University Programs Web page. Regional locations located on the campus of a partnering institution will close and reopen in alignment with the host institution. Separate regional location closings will not be posted on the main University Web page or emergency information line.

Weather-related WMU closings since 1999

  • 1999, Jan. 4-5—Heavy snowfall delayed the start of spring semester.
  • 2000, Nov. 21-22—Thanksgiving recess began Tuesday because of snow.
  • 2006, Dec. 1—An ice storm downed trees and caused power outages.
  • 2007, Feb. 5—Extreme cold and snow closed many Michigan colleges.
  • 2008, Feb. 1—WMU closed due to snow.
  • 2009, Dec. 10—Blizzard conditions closed WMU.
  • 2011, Feb. 2—Blizzard conditions closed WMU.
  • 2013, Jan. 31—Snow and icy conditions closed WMU.
  • 2014, Jan. 6-7—Significant snowfall and severely cold temperatures prompted many Michigan colleges to close. The closure delayed the start of spring semester.
  • 2014, Jan. 27—WMU closed due to cold weather and blowing snow.

For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.