Campus living again in high demand as students return for welcome activities
Students gather at Waldo Stadium to meet other students and participate in fun activities led by Buster Bronco.
Students will move in to Main Campus beginning Tuesday, Aug. 22, through Tuesday, Aug. 29.
As Broncos return, they'll be greeted with open doors at the WMU Student Center, the new heart of campus built with belonging in mind.
Bronco Bash is just around the corner on Tuesday, Aug. 29, where students learn about all the organizations, professional networks and fun activities they can take part in this academic year.
There's plenty of activities for Broncos during Fall Welcome to meet other students and get to know campus.
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University students are again returning in record numbers to live on campus and will be welcomed back with a new WMU Student Center, ongoing renovations to Dunbar Hall and Miller Auditorium, and plenty of excitement and energy to help them move onto Main Campus beginning Tuesday, Aug. 22, through Tuesday, Aug. 29.
Like the previous academic year, University apartments are at capacity, according to WMU Housing and Residence Life, and all of the Valley halls and Hall-Archer-Pickard East and West halls will be close to capacity for the fall semester.
“We are excited to have our students back with us in the halls and apartments for the 2023-24 academic year. We have a record number of returners coming back to live with us, which shows us the interest in on-campus living,” says Roshona Porter, associate director of facilities for WMU Housing.
MOVE IN
WMU Housing has partnered with University Advancement to reach alumni, faculty and staff to greet families and help students move in Aug. 24-26.
Move-in begins for international students Aug. 22, and students from Kalamazoo County are permitted to drop off their belongings on that day, as well.
First-year and transfer students can pick their day Aug. 24-26 and move in from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Transfer students not participating in Fall Welcome and other students will move in beginning at 9 a.m. on Aug. 27-29.
FALL WELCOME
Fall Welcome events for new students, including first-year and transfer students, run from Aug. 24-29. These fun activities help students prepare for the first day of class, meet new friends, mingle with faculty and advisors, find classrooms, navigate around campus and become acquainted with the campus resources that are critical to their success. Events include:
- On-campus scavenger hunt to enter a raffle for prizes
- Metro bus trip to downtown Kalamazoo
- Large group icebreaker games at Waldo Stadium
- Comedy show
- Plant potting party near Fountain Plaza for students to bring to their residence
President Edward Montgomery will officially welcome students during the matriculation ceremony at 11 a.m. on Aug. 29 in Miller Auditorium. And Bronco Bash, the University's annual welcome-back festival, also is held Aug. 29. Hundreds of booths will shared information market services and sign-up volunteers.
CAPITAL PROJECTS
There is also a lot of activity on campus as far as capital projects, including the grand opening of the new WMU Student Center on Tuesday, Aug. 29, as well as an ongoing complete renovation of Dunbar Hall and replacement of the north-facing veranda at Miller Auditorium, both of which impact pedestrian traffic by the Fountain Plaza.
Excitement also is building around the opening of the new women’s basketball locker room in Read Fieldhouse. The project includes a complete overhaul of the existing locker room and wet areas with customized state-of-the-art lockers, an expansion into the adjacent weight room for a player lounge and improved lighting throughout the entire space. Bronco student-athletes will get a chance to use the space during the start of the 2023-24 basketball season in November.
The Facilities Management Service Center is available for all facilities-related needs and can be reached by phone at (269) 387-8514 or by entering a Bronco Fix-It request.
Facilities staff are also available during move-in weekend Aug. 26 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Aug. 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.