2020-21
CAMPUS
LIVING 2020-21
By living in a residence hall, students (including myself) are provided with support for their college experience. This support is provided by friendly and welcoming staff that are able to give resources, a listening ear, and knowledge based off of their personal experiences. Living in a residence hall also provides a lot of opportunities for students to get involved in campus activities, groups and events. Ja’Nae General Psychology and Gender and Women’s Studies Grand Blanc, Michigan
MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME It is almost time! Graduation is around the corner, college financial award emails are sent, and housing sign-up is underway. Everything is coming together for your goal to attend Western Michigan University this fall. This publication provides more information to help you take the next steps with housing — find a roommate and choose your residence hall and meal plan. Since WMU does not believe one-size-fits-all when it comes to campus living, you have a lot of ways to customize your residential experience. Read on for more information about each residence hall and the learning communities to decide where you want to live. Then peruse the dining section to learn about the various dining centers, flexible options and meal plans offered by Dining Services. At the end, there is a Next Steps section with directions on how to find a roommate and choose your room.
It’s comfortable with all the conveniences of home. Olivia Dietetics Plymouth, Michigan
CHOOSE WHERE YOU LIVE WMU offers a variety of housing options, so you are sure to find your fit. Each hall has different amenities and special features, so some things to consider when making your choice are:
Most residence hall rooms are doubles with two people sharing a room. Single rooms are scattered throughout campus, with a majority located in the Valley residence halls. There are no single rooms in Western Heights.
Proximity to class, computer lab, recreational facilities and food
Learning communities
House or suite floor layouts
Residence hall rooms come with the basics. Hall amenities
You are encouraged to make your room your own, adding personal items or carpeting to decorate it. Most halls have loftable furniture, which means that the beds can be raised or lowered to create alternate furniture layouts to better utilize space.
Living on campus gave me the opportunity to be more independent. Tate Business Education Eaton Rapids, Michigan
Each residence hall has: • Wireless Internet available throughout the hall and in student rooms.
• Security systems for accessing the hall and residential areas.
• High-speed Ethernet in student rooms.
• Free digital cable with a streaming service.
• A campus dining center a short distance away. • A game room, lounges, study room, laundry room, kitchen and vending areas. • A smoke-free campus environment.
• Student parking close to the buildings and campus bus service available. • A service desk that provides mail service, campus information and equipment rentals like vacuums.
• Staff members living in the hall to assist with building community, planning activities, safety and security, and meeting individual needs of students. • A hall office open weekdays with access to a professional staff member.
VALLEYS
Valley 1
The
ACKLEY/SHILLING
• Large, coed halls.
Ackley/Shilling is a relaxed building with a mixture of first year, transfer and
• Suites where two student rooms share a connecting bathroom.
returning students. The residents are an active group, so there is always an event or social networking opportunity happening in the hall.
• Floors average 35-50 residents. LEARNING COMMUNITIES
• Picturesque, peaceful setting.
Aviation House
• Close to the Intramural Fields, Goldsworth Valley Pond and business and education colleges.
All Valley floors are coed with male and female suites
Shilling Transfer Hall SPECIAL FEATURES Ackley: No meal plan required
BRITTON/HADLEY Britton/Hadley students love where they live. Students can often be found in lobbies, lounges and the large kitchen socializing, doing homework or simply relaxing. The community is known for accepting people for who they are and helping everyone feel at home. LEARNING COMMUNITIES Global and Languages Community Spectrum House
Bernhard Center: 10 minutes Rec Center: 15 minutes Waldo Library: 15 minutes
Beds can be lofted or bunked.
BED
DESK
Valley 1, Valley 2, Valley 3 Bedroom 12´ x 12´ 2˝ Entrance 5´5˝ x 6´ 1˝
DESK
Hall open during winter break (extra cost to stay)
DESK
Valley Dining Center: 1-7 minutes
No meal plan required
BED
SH
CLOSET
Walking time to:
SPECIAL FEATURES
DESK
70% first-year students 23% upper-level students 5% transfer students 2% international students
CLOSET
Neighborhood Dynamics:
Valley 2
Valley 3
GARNEAU/HARVEY
ELDRIDGE/FOX
Students in Garneau/Harvey are a diverse group who value a friendly
Eldridge/Fox residents have a strong academic drive, a desire to fully experience
environment. Fine arts students create a fun and electric vibe while
WMU, and a loyalty to one another. A friendly place to gather with students who are
upper-level students bring focus and WMU knowledge. There is always
striving in their chosen fields, Eldridge/Fox provides opportunities for students to
something happening in the building, and it is easy to find someone to
gain experiences that will help propel them to success.
hang out with or join you at a campus event. LEARNING COMMUNITIES LEARNING COMMUNITY
Engineering House
Fine Arts House
Honors Community
Science Scholars
EICHER/LEFEVRE Eicher/LeFevre residents like to enjoy time playing ping pong, air hockey or pool in the hall’s game room. Residents enjoy a balance of work and play,
SPECIAL FEATURES Computer lab Student Success Center
and it is never hard to find a study group in the hall. Students also like to get
HARRISON/STINSON
involved, especially with the hall’s annual Haunted Basement event.
Harrison/Stinson is a vibrant and lively community with involved and active students. The building creates a welcoming and fun atmosphere while also
LEARNING COMMUNITIES
supporting students in their chosen majors. Residents frequently use the hall’s
Health Professionals Community
game room for fun and relaxation. LEARNING COMMUNITIES
DESK DESK
DESK
BED
BED
SH
CLOSET
Beds can be lofted or bunked.
CLOSET
Valley 1, Valley 2, Valley 3 Bedroom 12´ x 12´ 2˝ Entrance 5´5˝ x 6´ 1˝
DESK
Business Community
MAIN
Campus
Western Heights
• Buildings focus on creating community.
[
Hall-Archer-Pickard East Hall-Archer-Pickard West
• Single sex houses/floors in co-ed halls. • Burnhams and Henry Hall students share community bathrooms on each floor.
Western Heights is a social environment where residents create strong
• Western Heights has centrally private bathrooms in each house.
bonds within each house. Houses average 36 residents, and each hosts
• Close to the Bernhard Center, Student Recreation Center and Sangren Hall.
design facilitates meeting others and forming social connections.
events catered to the needs of the community. The unique building
HALL DYNAMICS 99% first-year students SPECIAL FEATURES Male and female houses with three houses making up a coed floor Centrally-private bathrooms Air conditioned Kitchen, living room and study nook in each house
Walking time to:
Beds can be lofted or bunked.
Valley Dining Center: 8-10 minutes Bernhard Center: 1 minute Rec Center: 4-5 minutes Waldo Library: 5-7 minutes
Western Heights
CLOSET
DESK
BED
Western Heights Bedroom 11´ 1˝ x 17´ 4˝
DESK
BED
CLOSET
Being in the residence halls allows students to meet new people, be more centrally located to resources, and find organizations they are passionate about. I like the atmosphere of the residence halls and being able to meet people of different backgrounds. Meeting people who I connect with really made me feel like a part of this community. . Thomas Economics Kalamazoo, Michigan
Engineering House is a great place to make personal, professional and lifelong connections. You’re around people who are interested in the same things as you, but who also come from different backgrounds. You learn about yourself while exploring engineering and getting support from the resources in the hall. Leslie Civil Engineering Battle Creek, Michigan
Learning community residents graduate in four years at nearly double the rate as students living off campus.
LEARN WHERE YOU LIVE
Students who want to have a more seamless college experience or focus on an area of interest can choose from a variety of learning communities that are a floor or two within a larger building.
Aviation House Ackley Hall, Valley 1 Field trips, events with faculty and ample nearby parking when you come back from Battle Creek.
Fine Arts House Harvey Hall, Valley 2 Enjoy the creative energy when surrounded by fellow artists and performers.
Science Scholars Garneau Hall, Valley 2 Explore science-oriented careers and take field trips to see science in action.
Business Community Harrison Hall, Valley 3 Interact with faculty and upper-level students involved in Haworth College of Business, as well as get in-hall tutoring for business classes.
Global and Languages Community Hadley Hall, Valley 1 International and domestic students living together and sharing culture, language and experiences.
Shilling Transfer Community Shilling Hall, Valley 1 Designed to ease the transition to WMU; activities and social events focus on connecting residents with other students, the campus and Kalamazoo.
Engineering House Eldridge Hall, Valley 3 Use the computer lab with specialized software or visit a tutor in the Student Success Center.
Health Professionals Community Eicher Hall, Valley 2 Open to any student interested in health-related careers. In-hall tutoring is available. Honors Community Fox Hall, Valley 3 Support for meeting Honors College co-curricular requirements.
Spectrum House Britton Hall, Valley 1 Students of diverse gender identities, expressions and sexual orientation, including allies, live and learn together in an inclusive and supportive community.
95% of students who live in residence halls feel safe.
LIFE AT WMU Staff to help you succeed
Campus safety
An outstanding team of professionals and students staff our
It takes everyone doing their part when it comes to personal safety,
residence halls. Your primary staff connection will be the resident
but there are several security measures in place in the residence
assistant, or RA. As fellow students, RAs are selected for their skills
halls.
in reaching out to peers, listening to concerns and knowledge of
• Front doors and doors leading to the residential hallways
campus. They help build social connections in the hall and serve as a personal resource for you when you need them. Buildings are supervised by a team lead by a full-time professional hall director who lives in a hall. Building leadership is responsible for creating a learning environment by working with students and hall staff, managing the facilities, and supporting students with crisis intervention, academic support and student engagement opportunities.
are locked 24/7. Only hall residents or escorted guests can access the building. • Security cameras are in all public spaces and elevators. • Residence hall staff is visible throughout the hall and on call nightly. • A campus police officer is assigned as liaison to each hall. • Staff receive extensive emergency response training.
Living in the residence halls connects me with other students going through the same experience which gives it a “home-y� feeling. Delia Engineering New Lenox, Illinois
View menus and allergen information online at wmich.edu/dining/menu
CAMPUS
DINING
EATING ON CAMPUS Grain Bowls
Dining at WMU is about choices and security. Students can eat in convenient locations with customizable, healthy and comfort options, from house-smoked pulled pork to made-to-order stir-fry to honey sesame cauliflower bites. Dining Services focuses on the details so students can pursue their academic, personal and co-curricular goals.
• Dining Services offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night options. • Meal plans provide access to any campus
Vegan Options
students with dietary accommodations, healthy eating and meal selections in the
dining center. Dining options for
campus dining centers. My Pantry,
students living in apartments and off-campus are also available.
gluten free, peanut and nut-free kitchen
• Dining centers offer plated and customizable options. • Numerous locally sourced products are included in recipes and menus.
Halal Options
• A registered dietitian is available to assist
at Valley Dining Center, is a controlled plus serving area for students with food allergies or specialized needs. • A meal exchange option is available at Parkview Café on the Engineering campus.
MEAL PLAN OPTIONS All meal plans give you access to any campus dining center and some come with Dining Dollars – cash loaded onto your Bronco ID that can be used at campus cafés or to bring guests into the dining centers.
Bronco Gold Plus Unlimited meal swipes each week: • Dining Centers • Carryout (2/day) • Late-night (1/day)
Bronco Gold Unlimited meal swipes each week: • Dining Centers • Carryout (2/day) • Late-night (1/day)
Unlimited Meals/week
$100
Dining Dollars
8
Guest passes
Unlimited Meals/week
$50
Dining Dollars
Guest Passes
4
Passes may be used when the
Guest passes
meal plan holder is present to bring family members or friends into the Dining Centers.
Bronco 14 14 meal swipes each week: • Dining Centers • Carryout (2/day) • Late-night (1/day)
Guest passes expire at the end of the semester.
14
Meals/week Balance is refreshed weekly on Monday morning.
Campus Cafés
Carryout convenience
WMU Dining Services campus cafés are retail locations conveniently located
For students who have to rush off to their next
throughout campus. Offerings include grab and go sandwiches, pizza, salads, soup, fruit, snacks, desserts, fountain and bottled beverages, and Water Street® coffee. Cash, Dining Dollars or credit cards are accepted at all cafés. • Bernhard Café and Market Bernhard Center • Bella Vita Café East Campus • Bookmark Café Waldo Library
• Café 1903 and Market Lower level of Valley Dining Center • Flossie’s Café Sangren Hall • Parkview Café Parkview Campus
• Plaza Café Sprau Tower • Schneider Café Haworth College of Business
activity or don’t want to mingle in the dining centers, carryout and packed meal options are available. Students may get one carryout meal per meal period (breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night) during the week instead of visiting the dining centers for their meal.
wmich.edu/dining/carryout
LATE-NITE CARRYOUT Find later options at Café 1903 and Market on weekday evening so you can stay fueled even with a busy schedule.
Be ready to live with someone else, I have met many people and made new friends. Ricardo Biomedical Science Madrid, Spain
1.
Reserve a space: Complete a housing contract to reserve a space for fall. Since you choose your own room, you do not need to list building preferences. You will create your roommate profile, choose if you
Housing Sign-up starts.
Jan. 29 10 a.m. EST
Login to create your roommate profile and sign your contract.
want to opt in to the roommate search feature, and
March
sign the contract. Completed contracts are randomized for when students choose their room in May, so there is portal: GoWMU » My Self Service » Residence Life
2.
Find a roommate: For those who want to find a roommate, you can use our Roommate Finder to search by lifestyle, interest and academic college. We will give you up to 20 matches and their WMU emails so you can reach out and chat. When you find
Roommate Finder goes live.
April 1
Select search parameters and get the names and email addresses of students who match.
May 17
someone or have a friend you already plan to live with, create Roommate Group to link you in our system. That is how you will be able to choose a room together
3.
in May.
Room selection begins.
Choose your room: In May, you will have an assigned
Choose your hall, room and meal plan.
date and time to choose your hall, room and meal plan.
May 24
Starting fall 2021, assigned dates are randomized, not based on when you signed your contract. Use the filters to find learning communities, or use the hall and floor maps to see open rooms. Once you claim your bed, you will select your meal plan. A booklet highlighting all the halls, learning communities and meal plans will be mailed in March.
All housing information is sent directly to your student account.
Housing and Dining Preview arrives. This booklet contains info about each residence hall, learning community and
no date priority. Sign-up happens via the Housing Housing.
Don’t forget to check your WMU email!
There is no deposit to sign up for housing and no financial commitment if you are not attending WMU and cancel by July 1.
Late August
meal plan so you are ready to make your selection.
Check your WMU email. You will be notified of the day and time you are assigned to choose your hall, room and meal plan.
Move in!
Living on campus allows you to easily meet new people, be close to all the action and makes it easier to get to class.
Alec Education Clarkston, Michigan
45% of WMU students say the best roommate matches are ones with similar living habits.
CHOOSING A ROOMMATE Living with a roommate is just one of the many new experiences waiting for you at college. They are someone with whom you can share not only your room, but your WMU experience. You do not have to find or know your roommate, but for those who want to, they use our Roommate Finder. You must opt in to the roommate search when you sign up for housing. Once the Finder goes live April 1, you can search for people by lifestyle, social habits, personal interests or academic college. The report will give you 20 people and their WMU email address so you can reach out to say hi and introduce yourself. Once you find a roommate, create a Roommate Group to link you in the housing system.
Roommate Groups When you find a roommate, one of you will create a Roommate Group in the housing portal. The group creator is the owner and will invite the second person to join the group. When you are invited to join a group, you can accept, decline or ignore the invitation. You may also leave a Roommate Group at any time if you meet someone new. Remember to keep an eye on your WMU email because all roommate notifications will be delivered to this address. To create a Roommate Group or reply to an invitation to join one, log in to the housing portal at GoWMU» My Self Service » Residence Life Housing » Residence Halls » Roommate Group. When you invite someone to join the group, you will need their name and Western Identification Number. After that: 1. Search to find them in the system, 2. Select to confirm it is the right person, and 3. Submit to send the invitation email When choosing a room, whomever has the earlier room selection date can find a room and reserve it for both of you. Both students need to be in a confirmed Roommate Group before choosing a room. The roommate who does not choose the room will receive an email to their WMU account and will have a limited amount of time to confirm placement in the room. The person who selects the room will also choose the meal plan for both individuals, so be sure to talk about that in addition to which halls you want to live in before late July.
»
Roommate Groups are how you and your roommate will get into the same room when you pick a hall and room in July. Whomever has the earlier date can find a room and reserve it for both of you.
Choosing a room On May 17, we will email your WMU address with your assigned date to login and choose your hall, room and meal plan. Room Selection Groups are assigned based on the date your housing contract is completed. When it is time to choose your room, log in to the housing portal. Click Residence Halls » Choose my Room. There are three ways to navigate to get to the room you want. • Click the building you want on the map, and then any floor. • Use the Use 2 filter to find single rooms or learning community spaces. Once you apply the filter, only those spaces will show as available. • Use the neighborhood and hall list under “Available Rooms by Living Area”. The number in parenthesis after the hall or floor is the number of available spaces. • When you find a room you want, click on the bed to choose it. After you choose your room, you will be prompted to choose your meal plan.
Hints: • Available beds are in green and do not have an X over them. • If you click on beds with an X, you can see the age, major and answers to the roommate profile by the occupant. • Suites are shown on the map with a shared bathroom between them. • Academic learning communities auto-filter for eligibility. That means if an engineer and communication major are in a Roommate Group and want to live together in the Engineering House, the engineer is the person who will be able to choose a room.
Housing rates Traditional Hall
Yearly
Double Room
$5,395
Single Room
$8,510
Western Heights
Yearly
Double Room
$6,341
Campus housing and dining rates Meal plan rates
Rates are the per-person cost for room and board for the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters and are set by the WMU Board
Yearly
of Trustees. The residence hall contract is for a full academic
Bronco Gold Plus
$5,172
year unless the resident is transferring, studying abroad,
Bronco Gold
$5,064
withdrawing or graduating.
Bronco 14
$4,642
A meal plan is required in all halls other than Britton, Hadley or Henry.
Combined rates Traditional Hall
DOUBLE ROOM
Yearly
Housing + Bronco Gold Plus Housing + Bronco Gold Housing + Bronco 14
$10,567 $10,459 $10,037
Western Heights DOUBLE ROOM
Yearly
Housing + Bronco Gold Plus Housing + Bronco Gold Housing + Bronco 14
$11,513 $11,405 $10,983
THE NEXT GE NE RATI ON O F ST U D EN T L IF E
ARCADIA FLATS
NEW STUDENT CENTER
NEW DINING CENTER
• New housing complex located close to the academic core of campus
• Located in the heart of campus in Hilltop Village
• Located within the new WMU Student Center
• Innovative housing with multiple living options
• An architecturally distinctive and vibrant student-focused design
• Offering a variety of exceptional and healthy dining experiences
• Designed to create a welcoming and inclusive environment
• Restaurant-style environments serving prepared-to-order options
• Offering diverse spaces and a variety of retail options
• An inviting fast-casual atmosphere that encourages community
Opening 2021
• Apartment-style units for upper-level and graduate students • An integrated living environment connected to the larger community
Opening 2022
• Coffee house and five fast-casual restaurants
Goldsworth Valley
VALLEY 2 VALLEY 1
A. Valley Dining Center
4 9
Goldsworth Valley Apts.
Western Heights Complex
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Close to: Bernhard Center Ellsworth Hall Recreation Center Tennis Courts Sangren Hall Flossie’s Café Bernhard Café Sindecuse Health Center
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KEY Residence Halls Apartments
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Western View
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Campus Cafés Parking Construction REVISED 6-12-2020