WMU Family Connection Logo   
November 2011 

 

Important dates and reminders

 

Now: Spring semester registration continues  

 

Nov. 7: Last day to withdraw from fall classes

Nov. 9: Health and Wellness Expo

Nov. 23: Thanksgiving Recess begins at noon (residence halls open with limited service)

Nov. 25: Bronco football vs. Akron

Nov. 28: Classes resume 8 a.m.

Dec. 1: Deadline to apply for April graduation

Dec. 12-16: Final Exam Week

Dec. 16: Residence halls close at 7 p.m.

Dec. 17: Commencement

Dec. 20: Fall semester grades posted in GoWMU late in the day

Dec. 26-Jan 2, 2012: WMU closed

Looking Ahead

Jan. 3: WMU offices re-open

Jan. 7: Residence halls re-open at 10 a.m.

Jan. 9: Spring semester classes begin at 8 a.m.

Jan. 16: MLK Jr. Day - No classes, WMU offices closed

March 2-9: Spring Break

Click here for complete University calendar of events

__________________________ 

November poll question:

  

Now that we're halfway through the semester, how is your student doing? Click here to respond.  

_________________________________________

 

Online Instructor and Course Evaluations 


From Nov. 28 through Dec. 11, students will have the opportunity to provide end-of-semester feedback to their instructors via the Course/Instructor Evaluation System (ICES Online).  

 

ICES Online is the official end-of-term evaluation system for all courses and instructors at WMU.  Instructors and administrators use this feedback to make meaningful changes in course structure and instructional methods.

 

Participation is voluntary and will not impact your student's grades. The ICES Online system is encrypted, so instructors will not know who has responded to surveys unless your student signs the form. And instructors will not have access to responses until Jan. 22, 2012.

 

ICES Online will e-mail students through their Webmail Plus accounts when the evaluation period opens, and will send up to two reminders during the evaluation period.  Students access ICES Online through GoWMU with their Bronco NetID and password.  The link is located on the student home tab in the My Self-Service channel, and is labeled "Course/Instructor Evaluation System (ICES Online)."

 

Please encourage your student to participate.

For more information, click here to visit ICES Online Resources.  

 

Use of the ICES Online system is endorsed by the WSA Sustainability Committee.    

_______________________________________________

WMU Family Connection  

Business Partner Discount Program

  

You must email your mailing address to shari.glaser@wmich.edu to receive your discount cards. They do not have an expiration date.
Membership card
 Click here for participating businesses.
 

 

Things to know...  

 

This coming Monday, Nov. 7 is the last day to withdraw from fall semester classes. Course withdrawal results in a "W" on your student's transcript and does not affect the GPA. We encourage students to consult with an academic advisor and Bronco Express to ensure that there are no unintended consequences caused by a course withdrawal.   

________________________________

 

Buster

Buster's Family Weekend

Adventure

 

Thank you to all families who attended the October Family Weekends. We hope you enjoyed visiting your student. 

 

Kudos to Sarah Warkentien, WMU Family Weekend student intern! She organized the welcome area and arranged many of the activities available during the weekends. And congratulations to our two WMU student winners of a Bronco sphere chair - Andrew Zeiler  and Callie Toaso! These chairs were generously donated by the WMU Bookstore.

 

If you missed October, there are two upcoming Family Weekends in February. The  
Family Weekend website includes information about events and activities on campus and in the greater Kalamazoo area. The site will be updated as new information becomes available.  
_______________________________   
30 Matters Logo 
 

What is 30 Matters and why does it matter?  

 

30 Matters is a new study campaign emphasizing and reinforcing the importance of studying 30+ hours per week. Studies show that students who devote the necessary amount of time effectively studying perform academically better than those who do not.

 

One of the major differences between high school and college is the amount of time students are expected to study. Many students struggle because 30 hours was not the norm in high school.  

 

The 30 Matters... Study Campaign educates first-year students about:  

  • The impact studying 30 or more hours per week can have on academic performance
  • The concept of studying 30+ hours per week
  • How to schedule and manage 30+ hours per week for studying
  • The various tips and strategies that can be incorporated into studying

We find that many of our students are not knowledgeable about how many hours they should study a week.  So we need your help in  reinforcing the message that - 30 does matter.  

 

Click here for more information and to see our weekly study tips.  

_________________________________________

 

Career and Student Employment Services offers career planning and advising. Encourage your student to take advantage of: 

  • Drop-in 20 minute Career Advising services offered daily
  • 50 minute individual advising available by appointment  
  • Career workshops and programs (174 offered in 2011)
  • Annual Etiquette Dinner, Practice Interview Days, and Job Fair Prep sessions.
Click here for more information.
Parent and Family Programs 
Western Michigan University
1903 West Michigan
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008
(269) 387-4820