WMU Family Connection - January 2012

January 2012

Important dates and reminders

Open now: 2012-13 housing sign up for current students

Jan. 30: Summer I and II session course schedules open for viewing

Feb. 6: New Student Orientation registration opens
New student housing sign up begins at noon

Last day for 50% refund for complete withdrawal

Feb. 10-12: Buster's Family Weekend Adventure #3

Feb. 12: College Goal Sunday from 2-4 p.m. in Schneider Hall

Feb. 13: Summer I and II course registration begins

Feb. 17-19: Buster's Family Weekend Adventure #4 and Little Sibs Weekend

March 2: Spirit day (no classes)

Last day for 25% refund for complete withdrawal

March 5-11: Spring break (residence halls open with limited service)

March 12: Classes resume

March 19: Last day to withdraw from classes

Looking Ahead

April 23-27: Final Exams Week

April 27: Residence halls close at 7 p.m.

April 28: Commencement

May 1: Spring semester grades posted late in the day

May 7: Summer I session begins

May 28: Memorial day recess

June 4: New student orientation begins (12 two-day sessions throughout the month)

June 27: Summer I session ends

June 30: Commencement

Click here for complete University

calendar of events

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New Student Orientation is a required overnight experience for all incoming first-year students. There are 12 programs in June to choose from to fit your schedule.

Don't be late for class!

The Parent/Family Orientation program runs right alongside the student program. The program includes the Western and You Academy, reception with WMU faculty, staff, administrators and current student leaders, The Bronco Way Cabaret musical and many important informational sessions to help you help your student make a smooth transition to college.

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A Family Weekend "can't miss" event

The award-winning Gold Company

known for their fun-filled shows with great comedy, costumes and choreography, will dazzle the entire family! All generations can enjoy favorites from the silver screen in Gold Company Salutes the Oscars.Gold Company comes to Miller Auditorium with their 34th annual show for two dazzling performances on February 11 at

2 and 8 p.m. Call (269) 387-2300 for tickets and mention the WMU Family Connection for a $5 discount.

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FAFSA Reminder

Just a reminder that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) MUST be filled out every year.

Need some help? College Goal Sunday is on Feb.12 with sites around the State of Michigan, including WMU. Click here for more information.

Things to know...

WMU Family Connection Profile

We want to be sure that we are sending you timely information that you want and need. Click here, enter your email address, and consider these questions to update your WMU Family Connection membership profile.

Do you have a college-bound high school student?

- Double-check that you are receiving the newsletters for high school family members.

Do you have more than one student at WMU?

- Make sure they are both (all) listed on your profile.

Has your WMU student graduated and you no longer want to receive newsletters? (This database is separate from the main WMU database.)

- You can unsubscribe from the membership by clicking the link at the bottom of this newsletter.

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New late-night bus service

A Western Michigan University student government initiative is allowing University students to "test drive" late-night bus service

between the WMU campus and Kalamazoo community locations.

Late night service on four Metro Transit community routes began Jan. 9 and will run Monday through Thursday each week through March 1 to determine if there is sufficient student ridership to continue. Rides on the four lines will cost $1.50 in exact change after 10 p.m., and will dramatically extend the hours students can use the bus service to travel back and forth between the campus and off-campus locations. Final arrivals on campus for the four routes range from 11:57 p.m. to 12:55 a.m.

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Student Housing - 2012-13 Academic Year
Many students are already thinking (dreaming?) about where they want to live during the next academic year. Students currently in the residence halls may be considering either on-campus or off-campus apartments. This is a good time to have a thoughtful conversation about living arrangements and roommates. Here are some points that may be helpful.

- Residence hall sign up for current students planning to return to the residence halls has already begun. Remember, as a part of the Western Edge, room and board rates are fixed - whatever the rate was the year your student entered WMU is the same rate you pay for four years.
- Housing sign up for new incoming students will begin on Feb. 6 at noon.
- If your student considering an apartment, we have four complexes conveniently located right here on campus, including the Western View.
- If your student plans to move off-campus, reviewing the lease agreement is a MUST. Here is helpful information about community resources.

Living Transition Considerations
1. Are new roommates as academically focused as your student? Especially if your student is moving in with new roommates, it is beneficial if they share the same academic focus.
2. Consider providing your student with a commuter meal plan to enable him/her to stay on campus between classes and put the time to good use.
3. Encourage your student to get stay involved with student organizations or campus activities he/she may be currently involved with. It will help to keep connected to campus and also help with time management.
4. Does your student have a job? That can also help with time management and if the job is on campus, also keeps strong connections.
5. Students forget about the additional responsibilities of living in an apartment - bill paying, grocery shopping, cleaning, etc. Discuss these things with your student ahead of time and urge a discussion with the new roommates. The more organized and systematic they are at the onset of their living arrangement about tasks, time lines, food sharing etc., will assist in minimizing conflicts and misunderstandings.
6. Most of the time roommate situations work out well; students stay focused and live together amicably. If your student finds that the living situation is not working out, encourage him/her to let you know right away so that the two of you can consider next steps and other options if necessary.
7. Finally, make SURE your student has renters insurance. You don't want your student to lose everything in an emergency and not have renters insurance to replace belongings.

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Buster

Buster's Family Weekend

Adventure

Two Family Weekends to choose from during spring semester - Feb. 10-12 and Feb. 17-19.

Highlights of the first weekend. Feb. 10-12 include Gold Company and GC II Salutes the Oscars and Bronco Hockey taking on the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Aaron Copland's A Tender Land, a collaboration between the WMU Theatre department and the WMU School of Music will be featured during the weekend of Feb. 17-19. The Residence Hall Association will be also host Little Sibs weekend.

Visit the Family Weekend website for complete information about events and activities on campus and in the greater Kalamazoo area.

Parent and Family Programs

Western Michigan University
1903 West Michigan
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008
(269) 387-4820