November 26, 2018

Commencement

Graduates

Graduates have until December 10 to reserve their four guest tickets for commencement. Tickets not claimed by December 10 will be donated to the extra ticket pool and will no longer be available. A link to reserve tickets can be found on the commencement website under “tickets.” 

Additional tickets will be available to graduates from December 13 to December 14 while quantities last. 

Faculty

Faculty participating in the December 15 commencement ceremony may order regalia online through the Willsie Cap and Gown Company at http://www.gownman.com/commencementrentals.html.
 
The deadline to submit orders is today, November 26. Faculty should their submit orders no later than 5 p.m. today to ensure availability of hood colors from the institution from where they earned their degree. Regalia will be available for pickup in the York Arena Theatre beginning an hour before the first ceremony.

Undergraduate students in graduate courses

Undergraduate students are only permitted to enroll in 6000 level courses, or in 5000 level courses for graduate credit if they have been granted dual enrollment or they are in an Accelerated Graduate Degree Program (AGDP).  

Here is the language in the Graduate Catalog regarding dual enrollment:

Dual enrollment applicants (that is, consideration for admission to a master’s program while yet enrolled in a baccalaureate program) may be granted to any WMU senior who has an acceptable academic record (with a grade point average of 3.0 or better for the two years prior to admission date) and who has no more than 15 credit hours remaining for completion of the bachelor’s degree.

Once granted dual enrollment status, the student may enroll in a maximum of 12 credit hours of graduate course work that has been approved by the appropriate departmental advisor in addition to those undergraduate courses required to complete the bachelor’s degree.

Dual enrollment is permitted on a semester-by-semester basis, and no graduate credit earned in this way may be used to meet undergraduate requirements. If the bachelor’s degree is not completed in the period of one calendar year, the student may not continue on dual enrollment.

Maddie Harlan

Maddie was hired in July 2018 as one of two transcript clerks. She previously worked at Zeigler Auto Group of Kalamazoo as a cashier while she attended Western Michigan University and received a BA in Communication Studies with a minor in Event Management.

Maddie is the party planner for her family - she most recently planned a 4-day extravaganza for her sister's 21st birthday. While she was an intern at the WMU School of Medicine, she was responsible for planning the 2018 Research Day for faculty, staff, and residents. 

In her spare time, Maddie likes hanging out with her family and her fiance and his family. She especially enjoys cooking for them and hosting game nights. Maddie also likes to spend time with her dog, Nala, and cat, Leroy.

She was born in Chicago and grew up in the suburbs. She moved with her family to Kalamazoo in 2006. Chicago remains her favorite place to visit and explore.

UPCOMING DATES

• December 1—Deadline to apply for spring graduation
• December 10-13—Final examinations
• December 15—Semester ends; Commencement
• December 18—Final grades are due by noon

2019

• January 2—Spring tuition and fees are due
• January 2-4—Advising days
• January 7—Classes begin at 8 a.m.
• January 7-8—One Stop Convenience Center
• January 11—Last day students can drop/add through GoWMU
• January 14—Department cleanup*; Census
• January 15—$100 late add fee begins; Begin recording withdrawals with a final grade of "W" on transcripts
• January 17—Last day to receive a 90% refund for a complete withdrawal
• January 21—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day  Convocation and Activities
• January 22—Last day to receive 50% refund for a partial withdrawal
• February 1—Last day to receive a 50% refund for a complete withdrawal; deadline to apply for summer graduation 
• March 1—Last day to receive a 25% refund for a complete withdrawal; Spirit Day (no classes - University open)
• March 4-8—Spring recess (no classes - University open)
• March 11—Midterm grades are due
• March 18—Last day to withdraw from spring classes
• April 22-25—Final examinations
• April 27—Semester ends; Commencement
• April 30—Final grades are due by noon

*Departmental cleanup day provides the opportunity for departments to assist students in adding/dropping classes. Students do not have access to adjust their schedules via GoWMU on this day; they do receive a 100% refund for any classes dropped by the department.