Registrar

Registrar

Answers to frequently asked questions by parents

Below is a list of frequently asked questions with answers which include links to websites with further information.  However, if at any time you have questions you cannot find an answer to in these pages, please feel free to contact me directly, by phone, (269) 387-4336, or send an email to: barbara.mckinney@wmich.edu. I will be happy to help!

Barbara McKinney
Registrar

General information

Parent (authorized user) access

Program and graduation analysis

Records/grades

Registration and scheduling

Transcripts

Transcripts Webpage

Verifications

Enrollment Verification webpage

General information

How does WMU define Full-time and Part-time status?

Full-time undergraduate students are defined by credit hours enrolled in a given semester or session as follows: Fall or Spring semester Undergraduate 12 hours; Summer I/Summer II Session Undergraduate 6 hours

For all graduate students taking courses for a stated degree or certificate program, six hours constitutes full-time status, and three hours constitutes half-time status in Fall and Spring semesters. In the Summer I and Summer II sessions, three hours in either session constitutes full-time status for that session and two hours constitutes half-time status

Is there a calendar available for specific semester dates?

You can view University calendars online at www.wmich.edu/registrar/calendar.html The University retains the right to make changes. Back to submenu

How can I get information on student aid?

Student aid is available in many different areas studentworld.wmich.edu/ links to site away from Registrar's Office has areas of specific help to students. Make that your first place to look. If you are looking for financial aid information, try www.wmich.edu/finaid/links to site away from Registrar's Office
Back to submenu

I have questions concerning on-campus housing, who should I contact?

  • Off campus life: 269 387-2336
  • Residence Hall Life: at (269) 387-4735 or 1-800-545-6006
  • WMU Campus apartments: at (269) 387-2175 or 1-800-882-9819
  • Housing and dining services have a web site at www.wmich.edu/housing/ links to site away from Registrar's Office

Where can I get my questions answered concerning my son or daughter's tuition/bill?

Students can log in to the GoWMU portal links to site away from Registrar's Officewith their user name and Western ID number. From the Home tab they can click on the Payment and Account Information link. This is the place students can manage their student account activity; view invoices and statements, make payments, and set up authorized users (parents, employers, etc.). Back to submenu

How can my son/daughter give me access to view/pay the tuition bill?
See information on how your student can create an authorized user on their account.

Where can I get information regarding WMU's Michigan Residency Policy?

For information regarding residency, read The Residency Policy of Western Michigan University PDF..

Program and graduation analysis

What is a degree audit?

A degree audit is the process used to determine if all University degree requirements have been met so the student is eligible to graduate. Back to submenu

Degree applications (requesting an audit) can be obtained from:

Bachelor degrees from the College advising offices.

Masters, Specialist and Doctoral degrees and Graduate Certificates from Graduation Auditing Office, 3210 Seibert Administration Bldg. 269 387-4300. Back to submenu

How can I confirm if my son or daughter is on the graduation list?

We cannot release that information according to the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act
Back to submenu

When is my son or daughter's graduation ceremony?

There are 3 commencements each year: December for fall semester, April for spring semester and June for summer I and summer II sessions of each year. Each college is assigned a ceremony time.  What time your student graduates depends on which college they are graduating from. Prospective graduates receive this information in the mail at their local addresses prior to each graduation. Check the commencement website, www.wmich.edu/commencementlinks to site away from Registrar's Office , for specific dates Back to submenu

How do you order announcements, cap and gown?

Regalia and announcements are ordered through the WMU Bookstore. Graduating students will receive information on GRADFEST included with commencement information through the mail or you can call 269 387-3932. Back to submenu

How many guests are allowed to attend the graduation ceremony?

Reservations are required for each ceremony. Approximately 6 to 8 weeks before commencement, each prospective graduate is mailed a packet of information outlining ticket reservations, cap and gown, and ceremony schedules. The information packet is directed to the student's Kalamazoo area address.

Commencement arrangements fluctuate from semester to semester based on the number of candidates for graduation. Back to submenu

How long does the ceremony last?

Each ceremony lasts approximately 1.5 hours. Back to submenu

Will my son or daughter receive their diploma at the ceremony?

No. The diploma is sent through the mail upon completion of a final review of the degree requirements. Because the diploma is an engraved document, the printing and mailing require at least 10 weeks to complete.

Students who are receiving their doctoral degrees will receive their diplomas at the ceremony. Back to submenu

My son or daughter is receiving two diplomas, do we have to attend two separate ceremonies?

No. Each ceremony is very similar. The differences may be the speakers and the college faculty who attend. The diplomas will be mailed to the student's address. Back to submenu

Where are the commencement ceremonies held?

In Miller Auditorium. Back to submenu

How do we get to Miller Auditorium?

Driving directions to Miller Auditorium:
From I-94 East or West
1.  Take I-94 to U.S. 131.
2.  Take U.S. 131 North to the Stadium Drive exit.
3.  Take the first Stadium Drive Exit (East).
4.  Continue on Stadium Dr. to 4th traffic signal (Howard St.).
5.  Turn left on Howard, cross the railroad tracks and. . .
6.  . . . immediately turn right on VandeGeissen Road.
7.  Proceed up the hill to the stop sign (Western Avenue).
8.  Turn left on Western Avenue and proceed to the stop sign.
9.  Turn right to access Miller Auditorium parking lots and the
parking ramp.
From U.S. 131 North or South
1.  Take U.S. 131 to Stadium Drive east.
2.  Follow steps 3 through 9 above Back to submenu

My parents want to attend their grandchild's graduation, but my mother is in a wheelchair. Are there accommodations for this?

Yes, please contact Miller Auditorium at 269 387-2300. Back to submenu

Records/grades

How can I obtain a copy of my son or daughter's grades?

Grades are no longer mailed. The student can see their latest grade report using their Bronco NetID. This online grade report is a "snapshot" of grades from the last semester or session. If grades were changed or not submitted before then they will not show up in this extract.  However, they are reflected on the transcript and records. WMU student’s have the ability to grant access to third party individuals to view certain academic and financial aid information. For more information, please click here. Back to submenu

Our student got a grade for a class registered for but never attended; what do I do?

Print and fill out the Appeal for Late Withdrawal after a grade has been assigned. Carefully read the instructions on the student form and follow them exactly.

What are the requirements for inclusion on the Dean's List?

To gain a place on the Dean's List for a semester, a student must: (1) Have completed at least twelve semester hours of work during the fall or spring semester for letter grade and (2) Have a grade point average of at least 3.50 for the semester.

To gain a place on the dean's list for a summer I or II session, a student must: (1) Have completed at least six semester hours of work during the summer I or summer II for letter grade and (2) Have a grade point average of at least 3.50 for the session.

Can we get a copy of my dean's list letter or certificate?

All letters or certificates are generated by the dean's office in each college 4-6 weeks after the end of the semester. If you do not receive the letter after that time, please contact them.

Can you send dean's list information to our hometown newspaper?

The dean's list is now online for news agencies to obtain this information easily for publication.

 

Registration and scheduling

Is my son or daughter registered?

We can verify current enrollment; however, according to FERPA we cannot release how many credits they are registered for or specific courses they are taking. Back to submenu

My son or daughter has become ill and will not be able to finish the semester, what do we need to do?

A student can withdraw from courses up to a specific date indicated in the course offerings booklet. After that specific date they need to appeal for a late withdrawal in the Office of the Registrar. Approvals require documentation. Back to submenu

My son or daughter has decided not to return to WMU, what should he/she do?

Officially withdraw all his/her courses and contact Housing and Financial Aid if it is not at the end of a semester. Back to submenu

I have paid my son or daughter's tuition and he/she has decided not to return how do I receive a refund?

The student must withdraw through the Office of the Registrar and then appeal with Financial Aid/Customer Accounts for a refund. Back to submenu

My son or daughter did not attend last semester and would like to return, what does he/she need to do?

Students retain their status as eligible to take courses for an entire year before they have to reapply with the University. Back to submenu

My son or daughter would like to take a course at WMU. What should he/she do?

Please contact the Admissions Office and apply for permission to take courses. Back to submenu

Can I register for my son or daughter?

The registration system is accessed through the WMU student portal. Students can easily register using their signon. Back to submenu

Why wasn't my son or daughter able to get a particular course?

There is no guarantee that students will be able to get the courses they want. Time Ticket (formerly priority registration) is set up so that students who are closer to graduating will be able to register sooner. However, popular courses will fill up faster. Back to submenu

If my son or daughter needs a course and was unable to register for it, what should they do? Who can they talk to?

Students are continually dropping and adding to their schedules during the registration period; therefore, a student can continue to try to add a course untill the end of the drop/add period. There are a number of options in fulfilling general education requirements and the course catalog outlines the possible selections. College advisors are helpful in selecting options. Back to submenu

What are the rules of residency for Michigan?

The governing board at each university in Michigan has the authority to establish a residency policy/guidelines for admissions and/or fee purposes. Therefore, residency policies (guidelines) may vary from school to school and are independent of those used by other state authorities to determine residency for purposes such as income and property tax liability, driving and voting. Back to submenu

Transcripts

How can I obtain a copy of my son or daughter's transcript?

The only way we can release a copy of a transcript is to the student, in person with proper identification, or with a written request sent through the postal system or faxed to the Office of the Registrar, that has their signature on the request. Why? WMU student’s have the ability to grant access to third party individuals to view certain academic and financial aid information. For more information, please click here. Back to submenu

 Will you fax a transcript?

Yes. Follow the directions from the Requesting a Transcript site. Back to submenu

Verification

How can I obtain a verification of my son or daughter's attendance?

Often companies such as insurance agencies request proof of a student's current enrollment. There are options: a student can come to the Office of the Registrar and obtain a copy of their current schedule or they can get a letter which certifies their enrollment. If a form was provided, it can be brought to the Office of the Registrar or sent through the mail. In all cases we cannot release any information about the student without the approval of the student (their signature signifies their approval). We cannot verify current enrollment until after the drop and add period is over. WMU student’s have the ability to grant access to third party individuals to view certain academic and financial aid information. For more information, please click here. Back to submenu

Will you fax out a verification?

 We are unable to fax student enrollment verifications at this time. Back to submenu

Will you verify information over the phone to a company? If so what information?

We can only verify directory information over the phone: student name, telephone number, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received. Back to submenu

 

Office of the Registrar
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5256 USA
(269) 387-4300 | (269) 387-3545 Fax
registrar-info@wmich.edu