WMU Family Connection

August 2011

Dear Parents and Families,

The pace is picking up here on campus as excitement builds for fall semester. This newsletter includes useful information for both new and returning families, along with an updated list of important dates. Please let us know how we can be helpful as you prepare your student (and family) over the next few weeks. We are looking forward to welcoming our students and families to campus for the new academic year.

Important Dates

Aug. 19: Summer II session ends

Aug. 23: Summer II grades posted (late in the day)

Aug. 29: One Stop Shop opens

Aug. 30-Sept. 2: Fall Welcome program for all incoming new students

Sept 2: Returning students move into residence halls beginning at 10 a.m.

Sept. 5: Labor Day

Sept. 6: Fall semester classes begin 8 a.m; Tuition and fees due

Sept. 9: Bronco Bash

Sept 10: CommUniverCity

Bronco football vs. Nicholls State

Sept. 16: Last day to apply for December graduation (deadline extended)

Sept. 17: Bronco football vs. Central Michigan

Looking Ahead

Oct. 2: WMUsic Showcase Spectacular

Oct. 8: Homecoming; Bronco football vs. Bowling Green

Oct. 21-23: Buster's Family Weekend Adventure #1

Oct. 28-30: Buster's Family Weekend Adventure #2

Oct. 29: Bronco football vs. Ball State

Oct. 30: Mid-term grades posted in GoWMU

Nov. 7: Last day to withdraw from fall classes

Nov: 23: Thanksgiving recess begins at noon

Nov. 25: Bronco football vs. Akron

Nov 28: Classes resume 8 a.m.

Dec. 17: Commencement

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Click here for University events calendar

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As a WMU parent or family member, make sure you have received your WMU Family Connection discount card. We have many hotels, restaurants, and retailers that offer you discounts, both in Kalamazoo and online.

Click here for a listing of our business partners.

Send your mailing address to shari.glaser@wmich.edu and we will be happy to drop your discount cards in the mail.

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Click here to answer the question of the month:

How will your student get around campus during fall semester?

Last minute details...residence hall families

Move-in is just around the corner! Here are some helpful reminders from our housing staff to help make your student's move go smoothly.

Order Deadlines

Order NOW for MicroFridges, lofts, futons and carpet if you want in-room delivery.

MicroFridge and loft rental deadline is TODAY:

Futon purchase deadline is TODAY

Carpet purchase deadline is Aug. 21

These items can be ordered up to move-in day, but if you miss the order deadline, you will need to pick up the item(s) from the vendor on campus. The vendors will be on campus between Siedschlag and Davis halls on Tuesday, Aug. 30 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 3 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. They will also take day-of orders.

What to bring

Curious about what your student will need in his or her room? Click here for a complete packing list of What to Bring (and what not to bring).

Move In Day
All first year students participating in Fall Welcome have assigned move-in times based on where they live. Most students will arrive Tuesday, Aug. 30. Some students are part of special programs and will move in Monday, Aug. 29. They were notified via email earlier this month. Click here for the special programs listed on the Fall Welcome website.

Click here for a handy map for how to get to each hall.

Bronco Buddies will be available during the move-in days to assist in unloading and moving your student's belongings from your vehicle to the residence hall room.

For questions about move-in or housing, please contact Residence Life at RL-info@wmich.edu or (269) 387-4735. We look forward to seeing you and your student soon!

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Things to know - all families

One-Stop Shop

So much to do, so little time...

At the start of fall and spring semesters, a temporary One-Stop Center opens in the second-floor North Ballroom in WMU's Bernhard Center, offering a variety of business services in one convenient location.

The dates and times for fall 2011 are as follows:

Aug. 29-31: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Sept. 1: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Sept. 2: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sept. 5: Holiday - University Closed

Sept. 6-8: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Sept. 9: 9 a.m. - noon

Click here for additional information about the One-Stop.

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Tuition and Fees

Fall semester invoices are available through the GoWMU portal and to authorized users. An invoice is also mailed to each student's permanent address listed on the student's account. Payment is due on the first day of classes (Sept. 6) and payment plans are available.

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Buster's Family Weekend Adventure

Buster

Planning continues for our new approach to the Family Weekend experience...this is an opportunity for YOU to select one of four weekends that best fits with your family's schedule and interests.

Oct. 21-23

Oct. 28-30

Feb. 10-12

Feb. 17-19

Click here for weekend highlights. Registration details and complete event/activity information, both on and off campus will continue to be updated throughout the coming weeks.

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Consider this...Simply talking to your student may reduce dangerous drinking behavior.

Studies suggest that students do care about what their parents think about them. You really do have an influence on your sons and daughters. A recent study published in the Journal of American College Health indicated that the amount of time a student communicated with his or her parent on weekend days predicted the number of drinks the student drank - students who communicated more with their parents on weekend days drank less than those who did not. So stay connected with your college student with reminders of academic priorities and shared values to reinforce your student's good choices.

Source: Small, M.L., Morgan, N., Abar, C., & Maggs, J. (2011). Protective effects of parent-college student communication during the first semester of college. Journal of American College Health, 59, (6), 547-554.

Parent and Family Programs

Western Michigan University
1903 W. Michigan
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5348
(269) 387-4820

shari.glaser@wmich.edu