KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Due to a widespread power outage that has affected Western Michigan University's main campus in Kalamazoo, the University has announced a two-hour delay—until 10 a.m.—for the start of classes and normal business office hours on Tuesday, March 27.
The delay includes all Kalamazoo campuses. It does not include the University's College of Aviation campus in Battle Creek or any of its regional locations. They will operate as normal.
Area media is reporting that strong winds brought down a Consumers Energy power pole overnight, knocking out power to the campus as well as neighborhoods in the Northside, Westwood and Kalamazoo Township areas. Consumers crews have been working on the issue, and WMU campus crews have initiated the process of activating the University's backup power source.
The latest estimate for the return of power is close to the University's normal 8 a.m. class start time, so the two-hour delay provides time to accommodate any brief delay in the process. Watch this site for any additional updates that may become available.
Update, Tuesday, March 27, 2018, 8:21 a.m.: Consumers Energy has completed its repairs. The WMU Department of Public Safety and maintenance personnel are verifying that all systems are functioning properly. WMU will open at 10 a.m. for the start of classes and normal business.