Celebration, connection and campus changes welcome new and returning Broncos at fall welcome
KALAMAZOO, Mich.— Western Michigan University is gearing up to welcome thousands of new and returning students to campus for move in and Fall Welcome 2025, a week filled with excitement, community spirit and energy for the new academic year.
What to know before you arrive
As excitement builds for a new academic year, students and families are encouraged to plan ahead to ensure a smooth arrival experience.
Western’s Facilities Management is available for all facilities-related needs and can be reached by phone at (269) 387-8514 or by entering a Bronco Fix-It request. Facilities Management Service Center staff is available Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and they will also be available during move-in weekend Saturday, Aug. 23, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Outside of those hours, you will be connected to their answering service for assistance with emergency requests.
Visitors should be aware of ongoing construction projects both on and around campus. The transformation of West Michigan Avenue into a pedestrian mall may affect traffic patterns, and city infrastructure upgrades near campus could cause temporary detours. To avoid delays, those arriving via US-131 are encouraged to take the Stadium Drive exit east toward Kalamazoo and turn north on Howard Street for the most direct route to campus. Stay informed on city projects
Warm welcome home
Student move in kicks off Tuesday, Aug. 19, for new international students, followed by first-year and transfer students Thursday to Saturday, Aug. 21–23, and returning students Sunday through Tuesday, Aug. 24–26.
Thursday through Saturday, students will be greeted and helped by a growing team of alumni, faculty, staff and even other students.
“This is our first welcome to Western. We want everyone to feel like they can be involved,” says Roshona Porter, director of Housing and Residence Life. “Move in is our chance to wrap our arms around students and show families that their children are in great care.”
That spirit of care and community is made possible by a steadily growing volunteer force. “Last year we had 150 come from the campus community to help, up from 100 the year before,” Porter says. “It gets better every year thanks to the incredible support we receive, especially from the partnership with members from University Advancement, who help us plan.”
Among the standout helpers are WMU’s athletic teams. “The football team—I've never seen anyone move bags so quickly!” Porter laughs. “Shout out to Intercollegiate Athletics. Student-athletes really showed up.”
The move-in process itself has evolved in recent years, shifting to a three-day model that eases congestion and improves the experience for everyone. “It’s more manageable now for families, for staff and for navigating campus. It feels more like a team effort,” Porter says.
Building community from day one
Fall Welcome runs Thursday to Tuesday, Aug. 21–26, and is packed with events designed to help students settle in, make friends and get to know their new home. Activities include ice skating at Lawson Ice Arena, a Metro bus trip to downtown Kalamazoo, a campuswide scavenger hunt, large group games at Waldo Stadium and a dance party.
WMU President Russ Kavalhuna will officially welcome students during the Matriculation Ceremony at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26, in Miller Auditorium. Later that day, the campus will come alive with Bronco Bash, WMU’s annual welcome-back festival featuring hundreds of booths, giveaways and volunteer opportunities.
Construction and campus changes
One of the most visible changes this fall will be the redesigned entryway at 1903 W. Michigan Ave., which will feature a new archway and expanded pedestrian green space. This project is part of WMU’s long-term master plan to create a more connected, student-centered campus.
The new entryway is designed to serve as a welcoming gateway and gathering space, linking the east and west ends of campus with a continuous pedestrian corridor. Students will have better access to public transportation, more bike paths to zip around campus and more walkable spaces to get from class to class and activity to activity, encouraging their engagement in campus life and overall well-being.
The entryway project is also being designed with sustainability in mind. WMU is pursuing SITES certification—a landscape-focused counterpart to LEED—that recognizes environmentally responsible outdoor spaces.
Two sections of roadway on the east side of Main Campus—Ring Road North from Parking Lot 48 to West Michigan Avenue, and West Michigan Avenue from Ring Road North to Ring Road South—will be closed to vehicles through Monday, Sept. 22, as construction advances on the project. Detours will redirect traffic around Ring Road to the west side of campus. The project remains on track to open the walkways in the newly created pedestrian green space by Thursday, Aug. 21, ahead of the start of fall classes.
In addition, a new residence hall, Golden Oaks, is under construction in Goldsworth Valley. Designed with first-year students in mind, the state-of-the-art facility will house more than 1,000 students in modern, pod-style rooms with shared community spaces when it opens in fall 2026.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.