Student Services

Western Michigan University believes in providing resources to support all of our students. It is vital that students have access to any assistance they may need or want to allow for academic success and the best possible Bronco experience.

ACADEMICS

  • Academic advising is available to ensure students are making solid progress toward graduation. Advisors in each academic college assist students in meeting all curricular requirements by choosing required courses and electives.
  • The Academic Resource Center provides students with academic support to promote success in their coursework at WMU. Services are provided at no cost to students and include content tutoring, supplemental instruction, college success seminars and effective reading seminars.
  • Exploratory advising is the temporary advising home for freshmen and sophomores who have not yet selected a major. Advisors help students explore academic programs and careers to help them to declare their majors by sophomore year.
  • Faculty office hours are provided by each faculty member teaching a course at WMU. During these times, professors are available to meet with students one-on-one to answer questions and discuss course information.
  • The Registrar’s Office is available to help students succeed, from registering for classes to requesting transcripts and preparing for graduation. Visit the Registrar’s website to view the academic calendar, the course registration schedule, or to request transcripts.
  • The Writing Center provides free writing assistance for undergraduate and graduate students. Students who want to improve their writing can do so through one-to-one writing instruction offered, most often, on an appointment basis.
  • Waldo Library holds nearly five million articles for student use. Four floors of resources are available for students including group study rooms, a rare books room, and a map room. Interlibrary loan and online databases also are available to students free of charge. 

ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS

  • Air Force Reserve Officer’s Training Corps is available for WMU students through Michigan State University and is an educational program designed to give men and women the opportunity to become an Air Force officer while earning a degree. After successfully completing the program, students will be commissioned second lieutenants and will begin serving as officers in leadership roles of increasing responsibility and importance in the "active duty" Air Force.
  • Army Reserve Officer’s Training Corps was established to select and prepare qualified students to serve as officers in the Regular Army, National Guard or Army Reserve. The WMU Army ROTC Bronco Battalion is consistently ranked among top ROTC programs in the nation. Students also may compete for full-tuition scholarships.
  • The Student Center and Dining Facility is at the heart of WMU’s main campus in the Hilltop Village. The innovative design includes an array of diverse spaces and customer-oriented retail options, intentionally focused on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment. Support for student organizations, affinity space and lounges are integrated into the building plan to encourage social engagement and co-curricular activities and to help connect the lines between the classroom and student life.
  • Miller Auditorium is located on the WMU campus and is the third largest theatre in Michigan. Miller provides enrichment through the performing arts for WMU and Southwest Michigan. With musicals such as Wicked and Jersey Boys, comedians like Jeff Foxworthy and Demetri Martin, and artists like Taylor Swift and Ludacris, Miller offers something for everyone. WMU students receive 50% off tickets to shows at Miller Auditorium.
  • Student Activities and Leadership Programs has a mission to enhance student learning and leadership development by engaging students in educationally purposeful and diverse co-curricular experiences.
  • Student organizations are a great way to get involved on campus. Nearly 500 student organizations are available at WMU including fraternities, sororities, community service, religious, sports, recreational and professional organizations. A great way to preview all the student organizations on campus is at Bronco Bash, the largest collaboration of student and community organizations, which happens on campus each fall.
  • Study abroad is an experience that can greatly enhance a student’s education by raising geographical and cultural awareness. WMU students participate annually in over 90 study abroad programs per year. Programs are available for undergraduates and graduates in a broad spectrum of disciplines for an academic year, one semester, or short-term summer program. Students in any major can find programs suited for them.

ATHLETICS AND FITNESS

  • The Student Recreation Center is the largest recreation center of schools in the Mid-American Conference and is open to WMU students for free with their Bronco ID card. With over 100 exercise machines, indoor courts, a pool and sauna, aerobics rooms and a rock climbing wall, students will find fun ways to stay active. Personal training and group exercise opportunities are available. Programs focus on stress reduction, weight loss, increased flexibility and strength, friendly competition and social interaction.
  • Intercollegiate athletics is home to our WMU athletic teams. WMU is a Division 1A school and competes in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). WMU students attend on-campus sporting events for free with their Bronco ID card. Students may contact the coaches to learn more about becoming part of WMU athletic teams.
  • Club and intramural sports are available to students who would like to get involved on campus. Club teams travel to compete against other schools and include sports like bowling, golf, and ice hockey. Intramural sports are played between teams of WMU students and staff and include sports like softball, flag football, and basketball.

CAREERS AND INTERNSHIPS

  • Career and Student Employment Services helps students learn how to plan for their careers from the moment they step onto WMU's campus through graduation and beyond. Career and Student Employment Services also manages the WMU student employment database, BroncoJobs, and holds over a dozen job fairs on campus each year. Opportunities are available for help with resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, career placement testing, career exploration and more. 
  • Handshake is an online database of internships and job openings across the country. The database allows WMU students and alumni to find jobs in their career fields and regions. Employers post new positions daily.
  • The Business Career Center is located in Schneider Hall through the Haworth College of Business. It is available to business students interested in career education and development, employment services and networking opportunities. Interviews are held on-site with employers recruiting WMU students.
  • Internships are a valuable part of the college experience. Most often, internships are best sought and monitored through advisors or directors of your specific department or program. Many majors or fields of study require internships for graduation. For help finding the right internship placement, please visit Handshake or see an academic advisor.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

  • Counseling services helps students effectively deal with personal concerns that inhibit emotional well-being, academic performance and success. WMU Counseling Services provides students with a variety of services such as personal or career counseling, career testing and outreach programs.
  • The WMU Department of Public Safety is committed to providing a safe and secure environment at WMU. The WMU Police Department is available to help students at all times, with two patrol cars available around the clock and over 100 emergency call boxes on campus. Free vehicle and walking escort services are also available for students.
  • For emergencies anywhere on or off campus, dial 911.
  • Sindecuse Health Center is the primary medical care center at WMU. Sindecuse physicians and physician assistants treat a wide variety of medical conditions and provide routine physical exams. Sindecuse also provides health related services, such as bystander intervention training and health education programs for the campus community.
  • Sindecuse Pharmacy is the Sindecuse Health Center's full-service pharmacy, providing a complete range of prescription medications and a number of over-the-counter, non-prescription items at affordable prices. Contact Sindecuse Pharmacy at (269) 387-3301.

HOUSING AND DINING

  • Dining services offers many dining options designed to provide healthy food choices to the WMU community. It also features locally-grown produce and accommodates all dietary restrictions. WMU Dining Services offers a variety of dining options and numerous healthy foods designed to meet a wide range of preferences and needs.
  • On-campus apartments, such as the Western View, offer students a different lifestyle than the residence halls. On-campus apartments provide students with the best of both worlds: residing on the WMU campus near important resources, yet enjoying the independence of apartment-style living.
  • Housing and Residence Life helps students establish a home at WMU through personal development, civic engagement and learning. WMU offers various living options, including community, suite and apartment-style rooms. Visit the Residence Life website for virtual tours of the residence halls and to view a student housing contract.
  • Living Learning Communities are offered by Residence Life for those who are interested in living closely with others of the same major or interests. This type of housing is provided to help students with similar skills collaborate and succeed. Examples include fine arts, engineering, business, honors, and health and wellness.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

  • Computer labs are available at no additional charge for students. WMU offers more than 2000 computers for students. The main computer labs on campus are located in the University Computing Center. Additional labs are operated by academic colleges and departments and often have specialized software for specific disciplines
  • Printing is available in all computer labs on campus. Students are able to print up to 500 pages per semester at no charge.
  • Inside the WMU Bookstore in the Student Center and Dining Facility is WMU's technology store, providing computer hardware and software. They also offer computer repair services by calling (269) 387-5460.
  • The Help Desk, located in the University Computing Center, provides technical support such as anti-virus software, email, classroom technology, as well as computer, laptop and mobile device support. The Help Desk also offers a mobile help desk that provides similar support within the residence halls. Students may call (269) 387-4357 for technical support over the phone.
  • Wireless internet access is available for students throughout the entire Western Michigan University campus. WMU has been ranked first in Michigan and second in the nation in the use of wireless computing technology on a university campus, according to a 2005 study conducted by Intel.

NEW STUDENTS

  • The Office of Student Transitions is dedicated to providing guidance and support to new Broncos and their families for a successful beginning at WMU. The office coordinates New Student Orientation, Fall Welcome, and First-Year Seminar opportunities that empower students to thrive at WMU.

PARENTS AND FAMILIES

  • Family Resources are helpful as you and your student navigate the college experience. Western Michigan University is committed to parents and families as valued partners in a student’s educational progress. Services and programs are designed to help support a student’s growth, personal development and overall success, beginning as a prospective student and continuing throughout the years to graduation. 

SUPPORT SERVICES

  • Disability Services for Students provides support services and considerations for students with disabilities. With proper documentation, DSS can provide resources and support with classroom accommodations and advocacy for institutional accommodations.
  • Multicultural Affairs for Students focuses on the transition and success of multicultural students at WMU. The office serves as an information resource on the role and value of diversity in education for WMU and the greater Kalamazoo communities. DMA holds events and programs that promote cultural awareness and provide student support. It is home to student learning and development opportunities like the Martin Luther King Jr. Academy and pre-college initiatives such as GEAR UP and Upward Bound. 
  • The mission of the Office of Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and Transgender Student Services is to promote an open and affirming environment on campus through advocacy and education. LBGT Student Services offers education, resources, and activities about gender identity/expression and sexual orientation to the WMU community, collaborating with registered student organizations and members of WMU and local community agencies.
  • Military and Veterans Affairs is here to provide veterans, Sservice members and family members of veterans with guidance and mentorship in a variety of areas. These areas include academic support, information about benefits and answers to questions regarding WMU or the Veteran's Administration.

TRANSPORTATION

  • Bronco Transit is the bus system for students available at no additional charge. Students present their Bronco ID Cards to bus drivers and ride any route throughout the WMU campus. Students can track Bronco Transit buses using the real-time GPS system.
  • Kalamazoo Metro Transit is available free to WMU students. Metro Transit provides fixed-route public transit service to the greater Kalamazoo area, consisting of the cities of Kalamazoo, Portage and Parchment and the townships of Comstock, Cooper, Kalamazoo, Texas and Oshtemo.
  • Parking services is an important office for students bringing vehicles to campus. All students, including freshmen, may bring their vehicles to campus if they wish, but must register them. Parking passes for on-campus lots are available for purchase.