‘An exciting time’ for Western students to return, live on campus for 2022-23 academic year

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—University apartments are at near capacity and Ackley/Shilling Residence Hall is open once again as demand for on-campus housing soars ahead of the start of fall semester at Western Michigan University. From Arcadia Flats to the Valleys, there is excitement on campus for a full slate of fun and memorable activities beginning Thursday, Aug. 25.

"We are excited to see so many students coming to live with us for the first time or, in many cases, living with us again! It is an exciting time,” says Steven C. Palmer, director of Housing and Residence Life. “We know the more support and services Housing and Residence Life can provide to our students to help with their transitions to campus, the better off they will be in succeeding here at WMU," 

"There’s a lot of excitement about coming back to campus: a lot of people to see and people walking around,” adds Matthew Bracey, Fall Welcome coordinator. He adds Fall Welcome events steer students toward success, such as “finding a friend group they can count on, meeting at least one of their instructors, connecting to campus and having a deeper understanding of how campus works."

Student move in runs Aug. 25-30; students can choose their arrival day and time for the first time.

New programs will make their debut this year alongside previous events that were paused the last few years, such as the scavenger hunt, Buster’s Block Party and a tour of downtown Kalamazoo.

New to Fall Welcome this year is Moving Conversations, a script-guided exercise between two people designed to facilitate compassionate connections—touted as "the easiest way to make a new friend." Targeted toward first-year students, sessions are scheduled from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, in the Bernhard Center’s East Ballroom.

Another highly anticipated event is the WOW Gameshow from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug 28, which will use an interactive game-show format to engage students in topics like physical and mental health, wellness and the college experience. A multicultural cookout is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 29, behind Western Heights. Events culminate Tuesday, Aug. 30, with the matriculation ceremony from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. and Bronco Bash from 3 to 6 p.m. at Sangren Plaza.

Western also will open a temporary Information Center in the lobby of Sangren Hall on the following days to help students and families with questions and directions and connect them with resources on campus:

• Thursday and Friday, Aug. 25 and 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Aug. 27-29, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.