WMU Today
WMU Today is a compilation of internal announcements for faculty, staff and retirees. Items are posted by individuals from across the institution. Click on each headline to read the complete text of specific bulletins.

City of Kalamazoo to flush hydrants on campus in April

Posted by Laura Kirkendall for Facilities Management

The city of Kalamazoo has announced their 2026 Spring Hydrant Flushing Program schedule, which includes the WMU Campus. 

The Parkview Campus area is scheduled to have the hydrants flushed on Thursday, April 16. The Main/East Campus area is scheduled to have the hydrants flushed on Saturday, April 18. 

Flushing does not affect the safety of the water supply. However, water may appear cloudy or discolored following the flushing. If this occurs, we recommend running the cold water in your building until the water runs clear again. It is also recommended that light colored laundry be done before the testing or after the water is consistently clear.

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Student Center Reservation Requests Now Open for AY 2026–2027

Posted by Ben Zblewski for WMU Student Center
The Student Center is now accepting department reservation requests for next academic year. Departments can request space in the Student Center in any of the following ways: Online Reservation Platform: https://wmich.edu/student-center/reservationEmail: Alex Gray — @emailPhone: (269) 387‑4860 We encourage departments to submit requests early to secure preferred dates and spaces.
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Diet and the Environment – Plants are Powerful

Posted by Ben Zblewski for Western Wellness

Whether you’re interested in reducing your intake of animal products or are a full-fledged vegan, either choice positively affects your health and the health of the planet. This evidence-based workshop focuses on what a healthy plant-based diet is and how what we choose to eat impacts our environment.

Wednesday, April 15 from noon to 12:55 p.m. in Sindecuse Health Center 3131.
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Join us for Spring Gala this Weekend

Posted by Maddie Christians for Haenicke Institute for Global Education

Join us as we celebrate Asian culture at Spring Gala this weekend. The WMU Asian Initiatives's event is set for Sunday, April 12, 6 to 8:30 p.m., at Miller Auditorium. 

Enjoy music from the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, dynamic vocal and dance performances featuring artists and students from WMU and Kalamazoo Public Schools, fashion showcases, cultural activities and community booths. Hands‑on activities begin at 4:30 p.m.; theater doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $22 for the public and $8 for seniors, WMU students, faculty and staff. Spring Gala tickets can be purchased through Miller Auditorium. More information on the Spring Gala. WMU Asian Initiatives is a unit of the Haenicke Institute for Global Education.

 

 

 

Attend a Fireside Chat with Celebrated Malaysian Chef Abang Brian, Ph.D.

Posted by Maddie Christians for Haenicke Institute for Global Education
Join the Haenicke Institute for Global Education on Thursday, April 9, from 4 to 5 p.m. in Room 2209/2211 of the Student Center for an engaging conversation with Chef Abang Brian, acclaimed chef, educator, food researcher and entrepreneur. Known from MasterChef Malaysia, Brian holds nearly two decades of experience in food, media and education. Founder of The Hungry Immigrant and author of seven cookbooks, he highlights culture and community through food. Learn more about WMU Asian Initiative's Fireside Chats. Light snacks will be provided.

Explore three new faculty and instructor grant opportunities for international research

Posted by John Sweeney for Haenicke Institute for Global Education

The Global Classrooms Curriculum Development Grant (GCCDG) provides up to $1,500 for redesigning an existing course to include a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) component. It is open to faculty, including PIO and AAUP members. The Fulbright Pre-Application Seed Grant is also available. It offers up to $1,500 in travel funding to build international contacts and secure a letter of affiliation before applying to the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program for teaching or research. The International Collaboration Seed Grant (ICSG) provides up to $1,200 for travel to develop new collaborations with colleagues at existing WMU partners and is also open to faculty, including PIO and AAUP members. All opportunities have rolling deadlines. 

Apply at Global Education's Faculty Grant page.

Repaving and safety improvements to occur on Ring Road North starting in mid-May

Posted by Laura Kirkendall for Facilities Management

Starting mid-May through early August, Facilities Management will repave and perform safety upgrades on Ring Road North, from Ellsworth Hall to the Valley 1. This work is part of the University's ongoing commitment to improving campus infrastructure, enhancing roadway safety and ensuring long-term accessibility.

The construction work will include:

Addition of sidewalk on the east side of Ring Road from the intersection at Central Campus Drive to the Valley 1 intersection.Addition of a four-way stop at the Central Campus Drive intersection.Removal of the three-way stop at Lot 47.Safety improvements to the pedestrian crossing at the Valley Dining Center.Safety improvements on the West Michigan roundabout.Pedestrian crossing improvements at various other…

Reasonable Assurance of Re-Employment

Posted by Angela LaVoy for Human Resources

The written reasonable assurance of re-employment for academic year employees being re-hired for the fall semester is due to Human Resources by Friday, April 24, 2026. Please email each signed copy of the written reasonable assurance letter to the HR Service Center at @email . 

For additional information, visit the HR website at…

Asylum Lake Preserve to undergo a prescribed burn in April

Posted by Laura Kirkendall for Facilities Management

Portions of the P1 and P2 sections along with section F2 (designated on the linked map) at Asylum Lake Preserve will undergo a prescribed prairie and forest burn on a yet to be determined date in April. Due to specific weather conditions required for a safe burn, including air temperature below 60°F, humidity above 40% and wind speeds between 5-15 mph, the exact date and time of the burn will be announced shortly in advance. If the required conditions are not met in April, the burn will not occur.

View the Asylum Lake zone map.

Main Campus steam outage scheduled for May 3-7 

Posted by Laura Kirkendall for Facilities Management
Facilities Management will be performing a steam outage from May 3-7, which will affect most buildings on Main Campus. The steam outage is necessary to replace a section of steam pipe that cannot be isolated and is deteriorating due to age. The outage will affect heating hot water (steam heat) and domestic hot water, but cold water will still be available. Temporary hot water will only be available for the Fetzer Center and the Student Center.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding this outage or schedule, please contact the FM Service Center at fm-servicecenter@wmich.edu.