July 2016
Incoming New Student and Family Reminders
 
Roommate Assignments  
For students signed up to live in the residence halls, roommate assignments will be sent out by the end of July to your student's WMU email address.

WMU Email 
Students should be checking their WMU email accounts regularly. Linking the WMU email address to a smart phone ensures that important information won't be overlooked. (And don't forget to download the WMU Mobile app!)

Online Modules 
All first-year students are required to complete online modules prior to August 26. The modules - Academic Success Choices, Financial Literacy 101, and AlcoholEdu for College & Haven - are designed to help your student navigate, manage and balance the academic and social aspects of college life. 
  • Academic Success Choices - information about programs and services, as well as tips and strategies to develop academic behaviors that contribute to success as a college student.
  • Financial Literacy 101 - Helps students make the most of their money through personalized financial education. 
  • AlcoholEdu for College - Whether your student drinks or not, this course empowers students to make well-informed decisions about alcohol and helps to reflect on and consider college drinking-related issues. 
  • Haven Understanding Sexual Assault - Learn about healthy relationships, the importance of consent and being a good communicator, and the many ways to help create a safe, positive campus.
As of July 15, your student can begin completing the online courses in the following order: (1) Academic Success Choices; (2) Financial Literacy 101; (3) AlcoholEdu for College and (4) Haven. Alcohol Edu and Haven will be available August 1. 
 
Move In Information/Fall Welcome
Be fully prepared for your student's assigned move-in day - on Aug. 29, 30 or 31.

Visit these important links for more information:

What to bring (and what not to bring) 
Fall Welcome information

Visit the Parent and Family Hospitality Tent - Aug. 30 and 31 between 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Located on Sangren Mall
  • Chat with faculty, staff, administrators, and current students
  • Write a note of encouragement to your student that will be delivered later in September
  • Attend brief sessions on campus safety, academic success and overall student health to get your last minute questions answered (Sessions at 12:30 p.m. and again at 3:30 p.m.)
  • Purchase your 2016 Game Day T-shirt (all proceeds support the Student Emergency Relief Fund)
  • Enter a raffle to win great prizes, including a Family Weekend 2016 package!
Final Transcripts
Make sure Admissions has received your student's final high school transcript prior to fall semester. 
Homecoming/Family Weekend 2016 

Mark your calendar to spend time with your WMU student for Homecoming and Family Weekend, taking place Oct. 7-9. We are hard at work planning a great weekend of activities for your entire family to enjoy.

The Homecoming and Family Weekend websites will be "live" in August with complete details and links to purchase event tickets. You will also receive a reminder postcard shortly after Labor Day.

Here are a few highlights of the weekend to pique your interest. In the meantime, we encourage you to make your hotel reservations as it will be a very busy and exciting weekend in Kalamazoo.

Friday, Oct. 7
- Distinguished Alumni Reception
- University Theatre presents "Baby with the Bathwater"

Saturday, Oct. 8
- Campus Classic 1k/5k Run/Walk
- Exploring WMU Interest Sessions
- Pre-Football Game Tailgate
- Bronco Football vs. Northern Illinois

Sunday, Oct. 8
- Sunday Brunch with live music in the new Valley Dining Center 
 
Get your 2016-17 "Good as Gold" Game Day Shirt!
All proceeds go to the Invisible Need Project
Student Emergency Relief Fund
New FAFSA Date for 2017-18

Students can apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) starting Oct. 1 for the 2017-18 academic year.

Most students qualify for some type of financial aid. Here is a link to helpful videos regarding FAFSA information. 

This change will allow students to report tax information from two years ago. For example, if you apply for the 2017-18 FAFSA, you can use 2015 tax information. For ease of use, students will be able to electronically transfer their tax information directly into their FAFSA by using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT). 
In This Issue
Reminders
Homecoming/Family Weekend
"Good as Gold" Game Day Shirts
FAFSA Information
PLEASE NOTE: The Office of Parent and Family Programs will be closed from July 29 through Aug. 16. Please leave me a message via email or phone and I will respond upon my return. If you need immediate assistance, call (269) 387-2150 for the main Student Affairs office.

Important Dates

Continuing:
Fall course registration

Aug 1: Last day to apply for December graduation

Aug 19: Summer II session ends

Aug 23: Summer II grades available late in the day

Aug. 29-31: First-year student move-in schedule

Aug. 29-Sept. 9: One Stop Center

Aug. 30: Fall semester tuition and fees due

Aug. 31-Sept. 2: Fall Welcome

Sept. 3: Returning student move-in begins at 10 a.m.

Sept. 6: Fall semester classes begin at 8 a.m.

Sept. 9: Bronco Bash

Sept. 12: Last day to drop/add classes. Last day to receive 100% refund

Sept. 14: Begin recording withdrawals as "W" on transcript. $100 late add fee begins

Sept. 15: Last day to receive 90% refund for complete withdrawal

Sept. 19: Last day to receive 50% refund for partial withdrawal

Looking Ahead

Sept. 25: Spring semester catalog open for viewing

Sept. 30: Last day to receive 50% refund for complete withdrawal

Oct. 7-9: Homecoming/Family Weekend 2016

Oct. 10: Spring semester registration begins

Nov. 7: Last day to withdraw from classes

Nov. 23: Thanksgiving break begins at noon

Dec. 12-16: Final Exams

Dec. 17: Winter Commencement. Fall semester ends

Click here for the complete University calendar of events
 
SAT Updated Information

The College Board has redesigned the SAT. In addition, all high school juniors in the state of Michigan will now take the SAT in school instead of the ACT.

The redesigned exam was first administered in April 2016. College Board has also released concordance tables for the redesigned SAT (allowing students to compare a score on the old exam to the score on the new exam).

Details of the concordance, including Excel conversion tables, can be viewed here.

MyWMU Concierge Card
Order your free MyWMU Concierge Card for discounts for hotels, restaurants and retailers. It takes a few weeks to get this personalized card, so order it now to take advantage of great savings throughout your student's WMU years!  
Parent and Family Programs
1903 West Michigan
Western Michigan University
(269) 387-4820