There is food for everyone on Western's campus. Every dining hall specializes in something different, if it be mexican food, sub sandwiches or vegan and vegitarian meals. We also offer "Carry Out" which opens right after the dining halls close, usually around 8pm, at select dining halls and are open until midnight. You bring your own sac and sustainability mug, which are provided at orientation, and are used in order to increase our sustainability. Once there, you use one of your meals on your card and are able to get a whole bag full of food to last the hungry snacker all through the night! I think most of the food is good if not great and there are always new options. You can also find the monthly menu on line for breakfast lunch and dinner.

Although it may sound cheesy, every freshman should attend an orientation session, which are offered year round. Freshman should be aware of dorm room policies and procedures, as well as, student conduct codes, which are the bylaws of the university which describe academic policies, what is expected as far as student conduct. WHAT TO BRING FOR ORIENTATION Orientation registration confirmation and parking pass Your Bronco-Net ID and Password (remember your new password if you changed it) If you have taken the ACT/SAT multiple times, please bring a student copy of these records. Comfortable shoes (you will be walking a lot) Overnight personal items Pillow and blanket A change of comfortable clothes (remember to dress for the weather) An alarm clock - no wake-up service is available A fan - to help you stay cool during the summer nights A few pocket sized snacks - in case you get hungry between meals A lot of energy and Bronco Pride

College is the experience of a life time and one of the major reasons for that is the diversity that all students get to experience. There are students of all different races, sexual orientation, SES, cultures, and countries. Everyone is thrown together based on the classes they take and their major, not by anything other than that. In high school students worry about popularity and clicks, what tables they sit at in the cafeteria, and what they wear everyday. In college it’s about being you, if you want to wear yoga pants everyday to class go ahead, if you want to sit by yourself one day for dinner at the cafeteria nobody is going to make fun of you. Being yourself and knowing where you are going is more important. New students to college especially at Western Michigan don’t have to worry about being different. College is a new experience that allows you to find out who you are and what you want to be. It was a sigh of relief when I went off to college where I can express myself without being judged; I could wear what I wanted and be who I wanted to be. SES isn’t important, how much money you are going to make in your job isn’t the top priority of every student. The number one thing to remember about the college experience is that you will make friends, you will interact with students of all shapes and sizes and you will never feel out of place once you get used to being apart of a brand new community of students. College is about learning new things about the world. College is the first step to help you learn about the differences of the real world between the diverse classes that students can choose from, to the different types of students and professors from all over the world. Western Michigan isn’t the type of college environment for people who don’t want to learn and have new experiences with people that are different from them. It’s not the type of school for students who aren’t ready for a bigger college and being farther away from home. Students who have a hard time with people from different back grounds than theirs will have problems. For those students who do wish to embrace college and everything that it has to offer will really enjoy Western Michigan and all it has to offer.

The common stereotype of WMU consist of fulfilling the nickname of "Wastern." This implies that the students who attend this university spend most of their time getting intoxicated and are careless about grades. However, like all other stereotypes, this is not true for all students. Many of my close friends spend their Friday and Saturday nights studying in order to ensure success.

Tailgating is one of the most fun things to do at Western! On east campus where the football stadium is located, students, alumni, and even friends and parents gather together and tailgate before the games and it is a blast!

It was far enough away from home but still in Michigan. Kalamazoo is a cool town with a nice downtown area and a cool music and art scene while still having the college feel. The size is perfect because it's big but not so big it's overwhelming regarding amount of students and campus size.

Western has a range of classes from huge lectures so no more than 16 people. A lot of the prerequisite classes are in huge lecture halls. Since so many students have to take a the same classes, this is what is necessary. The majority of professor's I have had, even in huge lecture halls, are more than willing to help you. I have been struggling academically in a course before along with 200 other students and my professor dropped what he was doing to help me. You have to make the extra effort to attend their office hours but it is well worth it. Students are friendly and willing to get together to help one another with classes. Even if you don't know the person you're sitting next to, it's easy to start up a conversation and get a new study buddy. There are constantly people in the library at all times of the year so if studying is your number 1 priority, you aren't alone. My favorite classes have been the ones with funny and charming professors. No student wants to sit through a 2 hour lecture but I've had professors that have made it well worth it.

There are many student organizations some that have to do with similar interests among students, others are geared to help students be better prepared to land a job after graduation. There are also many bars/restaurants at or near campus if you want to go out and meet people

I love Western, The campus is big, but small enough to still feel community. I knew that I wanted to go here immediately after I had a tour of the campus. There is so much to do and many activities to be a part of. There is always something going on, on campus. This college town is located near tons of great restaurants and lots of bars for an exciting social life.

There are SO many groups and activities on campus. If you're interested in Greek life, there is a great Greek community. If you are interested in getting involved in sports, there are sports clubs and intramural sports. The Campus Activities Board brings talent and entertainment to campus. One of the best activities on campus is going to athletic events! WMU students get to go to athletic events absolutely free. Football, basketball, and hockey all have energetic and fun student sections. You will never find a lack of something to do at WMU.

It is a well-rounded school School size is just right though it probably could be bigger for me I think people overall respect WMU's academics Spend most of my time at Parkview Campus and in the Bernhard Center Biggest controversy on campus is school retention and school pride, sporting events are free to students but there is still a lack in attendance (at least to me there is) I would also like to see WMU do more for their minorities. MSU has a Black Caucus for each dorm and CMU has Minority Aids for each dorm. Other schools may have things to help unite minorities on campus and I hope WMU can add something To me there is not a lot of school pride, unless we are playing CMU Kalamazoo is definitely a college town that is flooded with bars to attract students

I'd say yes. We weren't put on Rolling Stone's Top 10 party schools because half the kids they interviewed couldn't remember going to the party the night before. We party harder than the Number One Party School.

CAB!! Hockey is most popular! Miller is awesome about providing wonderful theater experiences..as well as all the University Theater productions! :-)

i have a lot of different friends with different backgrounds. i don't know of a student that would feel out of place here. most students wear sweatpants and hoodies to class. all kinds of different students interact. one table is all guys, one table is all girls, one table is a couple, the other table all has accents. most wmu students are from southern michigan, near detroit. most people rely on financial aid, but the ones who have their parents' money are noticed. a select group of students are politically active. i don't know either way. most of my friends are involved in the arts, so monetary things aren't usually in the picture.

The professors know my name. My favorite class is my only class--Conversation German. I do not have a least favorite class. Students vary in the amount of time they study. Some students seem to work hard, while others just do the minimum. My professors try to encourage class participation, but students do not seem to like to participate. I've found WMU students very engaged in intellectual conversations--especially regarding politics. Students are somewhat competitive, but they also like to work in teams to help each others. I believe WMU's academic requirements do not include enough writing. For the vast majority of students, the education at WMU is geared toward getting a job more than toward learning for its own sake. In my case, the focus is on learning for its own sake.

I love WMU with all my heart! I will always remember my time spent here. I have met people that here I expect will be my life-long friends. I will be proud to show off a degree with Western Michigan University written on it! I have learned a lot about myself and about others while at WMU. All in all, I love WMU! GO BRONCOS!

Everyone seems to mesh and blend really well. I see everyone being friends with everyone else. I think a lot of students are from financially wealthy backgrounds, but I know at least a few that are here only on scholarships and loans. Everyone will usually stick to people that are like them, but it seems that everyone gets along well with everyone else. I don't see any racism or homophobia or anything like that.

There are a large number of fraternities and sororities, there is the Campus Activities Board, lots of intramural sports and a bunch more groups i probably dont even know about. I am involved in Campus Crusade for Christ or "Cru" which is an interdenominational Christian organization but it is just one of several. We meet once a week in a big group meeting as well as have "community groups" another night. We also have several trips/retreats throughout the year which are an absolute blast! Cru is a group for Christians of all kinds and even those that know nothing about Christianity and are just curious. Students in the Freshman dorms leave their doors open towards the beginning of the year but less as the year progresses so make sure to go and meet people right off the bat. The athletic events are popular because students get in free to every home event. I met my closest friends through Cru. If i am awake at 2am on tuesday im probably watching tv in my dorm while talking to people in AIM. Bronco bash happens every year at the beginning of the year and it is a great way to find out about all the student organizations and get some free stuff. Last weekend in was in Florida on spring break. On saturday nights you can go out to the movies, go sledding in the winter, just hang out at someone's apartment and play games, my friends and i sometimes go to a jazz club and smoke cigars.

:-)