western michigan university campus visit

Western Michigan University

4 year • Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University is a public institution that was founded in 1903. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,397 (fall 2022), its setting is city, and the campus size is 1,270 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Western Michigan University's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #304. Its in-state tuition and fees are $14,594; out-of-state tuition and fees are $18,218.

Western Michigan University is located in the city of Kalamazoo, midway between Detroit and Chicago. The university offers more than 140 undergraduate programs and many master's degrees as well, including those in the Haworth College of Business , the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the College of Education and Human Development . Graduate students interested in careers in health can enroll in highly ranked programs training speech-language pathologists, physician assistants, rehabilitation counselors and audiologists.

Outside the classroom, WMU students can get involved by exploring more than 300 student organizations, playing a recreational sport or pledging one of the nearly 30 fraternities and sororities. Off campus, WMU students can check out the city's theater and festivals, or drive 40 minutes to the Lake Michigan beaches of South Haven. Student athletes can try out for the many WMU Broncos varsity sports teams, which compete in the NCAA Division I Mid-American Conference. Notable WMU alumni include Tim Allen, who starred in the television program "Home Improvement" and voiced Buzz Lightyear in the animated "Toy Story" movies.

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At-a-Glance

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From the School

Broncos pursue meaningful careers and a life well lived.

You’re an individual who is truly unique. We celebrate the passions that drive you and the possibilities that inspire you.Here, a degree is a pursuit of purpose where learning empowers you, well-being strengthens you and an experience-driven education leads to a meaningful career. Western is the place to become your best self.

Learning empowers you. Your Western education is designed to help you pursue a meaningful career. We are built to accompany you in your educational success, offer the skills employers seek and put you on a path to a job you’ll like.

• The Navigator Network provides one-on-one, proactive support. Regular check-ins to make sure you are on track for graduation, finding the academic and extracurricular resources you need to keep you thriving throughout your college experience.

• WMU Essential Studies provides an educational foundation focused on skills that employers seek most. You will develop change-ready knowledge such as complex problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, judgment and effective communication.

• The research university advantage means you’ll get the latest knowledge plus rare opportunities to participate in undergraduate research beginning as early as your first year.

Experience-driven education prepares you Opportunities that allow you to apply learning outside of the classroom will give you a leg up when you’re ready to pursue your meaningful career. You can capitalize on the wealth of internships and similar experience-driven learning opportunities available as soon as you arrive on campus.

• 9 of 10 Broncos are employed quickly, working in their field in jobs they like.*

• 93% of Broncos participate in experience-driven learning.*

• Paid internships are available starting in your sophomore year through the Broncos Lead Internship Program.

Well-being strengthens you

Bronco life prioritizes the whole you. Here, you’ll find everything you need to thrive emotionally, physically and socially.

• Uwill provides free personalized mental health services whenever and wherever you need them—24/7, including holidays. Set your preferences, choose a therapist and immediately set up a teletherapy appointment that works for you.

• Living Learning Communities personalize your college housing experience by living with fellow students who share similar interests or majors.

• The new WMU Student Center is the hub of belonging in the heart of campus. Built to bring all students together, you’ll find space for studying, hanging out and relaxing, indoor hammocking, culturally affirming spaces, a game room, great food and even a Starbucks!

• 30 club sports

• 16 Division I sports

• State of the art Student Recreation Center

• 500+ student organizations

• 4,000+ campus events each year (concerts, musicals, comedians and more)

Live in the heart of the Great Lakes

Ranked the No. 3 Best Metro Area in America for new college grads (Smart Asset, 2023), Kalamazoo is an upbeat college town perfectly positioned between Chicago and Detroit and less than an hour’s drive from Lake Michigan. Kalamazoo offers the best of life in the Great Lakes area.

• Kayak down the Kalamazoo River.

• Bike to the Lake Michigan shoreline.

• Listen to jazz piano legends at the Gilmore Piano Festival.

• Fuel your inner foodie at local eateries.

• Experience the magic and science of the Air Zoo.

• Catch a Growlers baseball game.

• Hit the farmers market.

• Explore First Fridays downtown.

From Welcome Week through walking the graduation stage, we are focused on your success. We want you to thrive at Western and in life. Schedule a visit to campus today to get a sense of what it means to live, work and play at Western and in Kalamazoo.

* WMU collected data for 3,458 graduates, of which 2,434 were employed full time, 65 were employed part time and 703 employed their degree to gain admittance to graduate school or were otherwise continuing their education. 2021-22 Career Outcomes Report

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2024 Rankings

Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. Read more about how we rank schools.

• #304 in National Universities  (tie)
• #162 in Top Public Schools  (tie)
• in Business Programs

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High School GPA*

Admissions Website

* These are the average scores of applications admitted to this school. Ranges represent admitted applicants who fell within the 25th and 75th percentile.

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Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

In-State Tuition & Fees

Room & Board

$11,713 (2023-24)

Average Need-Based Aid Package

*Average in-state cost after aid

Popular Majors

% OF GRADUATES

ALUMNI STARTING SALARY

Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

Health Professions and Related Programs

Engineering

Visual and Performing Arts

Transportation and Materials Moving

* In cases where salary data at the specific major level is unavailable, a general salary for the major category is displayed.

Faculty Research Impact

Bibliometric Rank

Publications Cited in Top 25% of Journals

Publications Cited in Top 5% of Journals

Total Papers published between 2018-2022

Citations Per Publication

Broncos are career-ready

Get an education focused on developing skills that employers seek most. Opportunities that allow you to apply learning outside of the classroom will set you apart when applying for your dream job. You can capitalize on the wealth of internships, undergraduate research projects and similar experience-driven learning opportunities available as soon as you arrive on campus. 9 of 10 Broncos are employed quickly, working in their field in jobs they like.

Pick the Perfect Major

Discover the perfect major for you based on your innate wiring. The Innate Assessment sets you up for success by pairing you with majors, colleges and careers that fit your unique skills and abilities.

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Full-Time Degree-Seeking Students

Student Diversity

Gender Distribution

Ethnic Diversity

Minority Enrollment

International

Two or more races

Not Specified is not included in this breakdown due to an enrollment of 0%.

Campus Life

Housing and Dorms

Types of campus housing available:

• apartments for married students
• apartment for single students
• special housing for disabled students
• special housing for international students
• theme housing
• other housing options

Student Activities

Sports Teams

Fraternities

Set those alarms, Broncos—the Dunbar Hall grand reopening is right around the corner! ⏰ 🏫✨ Let's get a roll call going in the comments—who will we see there? Join us on April 25 at 1:30 p.m. as we celebrate the beautifully reimagined Dunbar Hall. Featuring a rededication ceremony followed by a reception, performances by the WMU College of Fine Arts Jazz Combo and guided tours led by student ambassadors—this event will be one to remember! Come check out the state-of-the-art classrooms, dynamic student workspaces, the brand-new dance studio and all the other features Dunbar has to offer!

Reflecting on #WMU's Student Employee Appreciation Week! From organizing events to supporting fellow students, our Broncos are empowered to learn and grow through hands-on education right here on campus. Whether it's in the classroom or beyond, every aspect of your WMU journey is touched by the dedication and hard work of our amazing student employees. Thank you for all that you do! Let's celebrate our amazing student employees—tag a friend to shout out your fellow Broncos in the comments below!

The highly anticipated moment is here... Miller Fountain is ON! 🤩 ⛲ Whether you're enjoying a book, taking a moment for yourself or hanging with your fellow Broncos— Miller Fountain brings ALL the right vibes!

After College

Graduation Rate

Graduating Students Who Have Borrowed (any loan type, 2021)

Average Debt at Graduation

Reviews & Ratings

See reviews and ratings of this school from students, alumni, staff and others. These reviews are not written by U.S. News and have no impact on any of the Best Colleges rankings. Read an explanation of user ratings .

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Featured User Review

With her near perfect SAT score and love of learning, Emily could have gone to literally any university in the country. She found a home at WMU, and felt supported and encouraged by deans, professors, and mentors. She traveled the world and studied abroad, again and again and again. Grateful to Western Michigan University for the opportunities of a lifetime and can’t wait to see what Emily does next.

Karen, parent of WMU graduate

Undergraduate data are based on the 2022 school year.

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Western Michigan University (WMU) Transfers: 2024 Requirements, Dates, GPAs & More

When is the best time to visit western michigan university (wmu).

Visiting Western Michigan University (WMU) depends on a number of factors, including the season, your schedule, and a lot of uncontrollable variables. We recommend you visit Western Michigan University (WMU) twice if you’re serious about enrolling – at least one visit should be when students are on campus and school is in session. Be sure to take note of the town of Kalamazoo as well. Remember that Kalamazoo is also catering to 18179 students, so think critically about whether the community would feel too big or too small for your personal liking.

What do families do in Kalamazoo when they visit Western Michigan University (WMU)?

It depends but there are a variety of activities and things to do in and around Kalamazoo. We recommend using the virtual immersion tab on CampusReel to take a tour at Western Michigan University (WMU) and see for yourself how the student make use of Kalamazoo.

What buildings should I look at when I visit Western Michigan University (WMU)?

For your convenience, below is a list of all buildings that you can visit from CampusReel. We encourage you to compare you experience of the buildings on CampusReel with your in-person visit if you decide to take one.

• Siedschlag Hall at Western Michigan University (WMU)
• Waldo Library at Western Michigan University (WMU)
• Lee Honors College at Western Michigan University (WMU)
• Valley Dining Center at Western Michigan University (WMU)
• Western Michigan University at Western Michigan University (WMU)

Check out these related virtual tours:

• Visit to DePaul University
• Visit to Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis (IUPUI)
• Visit to Central Michigan University (CMU)
• Visit to University of Cincinnati-Main Campus (UC)
• Visit to Kent State University at Kent (KSU)

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Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo MI 49008-5200 USA (269) 387-1000

Western Michigan University

General Information

2023-2024 tuition, enrollment statistics, admission requirements, sports and athletics, men's sports.

• Men's Baseball
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• Men's Ice Hockey
• Men's Soccer
• Men's Tennis

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These Are The 10 Most Beautiful College Campuses In Michigan

• Some of the most beautiful campuses in Michigan offer lovely buildings and incredible outdoor spaces, making them popular tourist attractions.
• Michigan State University, Calvin College, and Western Michigan University are among the most picturesque campuses, featuring stunning buildings and scenic spots.
• Visitors can enjoy the beauty of these campuses all year round, with different seasons offering unique experiences such as fall colors, snowy landscapes, and vibrant tulips.

The state of Michigan has many great colleges and campuses to choose from. There are several public and private higher education institutions featuring beautiful architecture. Choosing the most beautiful campuses in Michigan is tricky, as they all consist of lovely buildings and incredible outdoor spaces.

Learning is one of many activities that happen on these college campuses. They are found in some of the most picturesque towns in Michigan , making them popular tourist attractions. Some campuses are built close to parks and museums, and some have green spaces that turn beautiful during the fall. For travelers planning on touring college campuses in Michigan, here are the 10 most beautiful to visit.

Related: 10 Beautiful Spots In Michigan That Are Seriously Flying Under The Radar

Kalamazoo College In Kalamazoo

The prettiest university in michigan with iconic red brick buildings in a thriving southwest michigan town.

Kalamazoo College ’s history dates back to 1833. The institution started as Michigan and Huron Institute before changing its name to Kalamazoo College in 1937. It has a scenic campus and buildings constructed with iconic red brick, making it one of the places tourists don’t want to miss in this thriving Southwest Michigan town . Some buildings include Hoben Hall, the Dow Science Center, and the Stetson Chapel. The lovely buildings make the college beautiful. It has a walkway featuring many green areas. During the fall, students check out the color-changing trees as they walk to their classes.

• When it was founded : 22 April 1833
• Best time to visit: Summer
• Hours of operation : 8 am to 5 pm

Michigan State University In East Lansing

An excellent state institution with stunning buildings like beaumont tower on over 5,000 acres of land.

Michigan State University started in 1855 and has a suburban setting. The campus occupies around 5,192 acres and was the first land grant university in the nation. It is designed with stunning buildings like the iconic Beaumont Tower and the ornate Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum. The area also has a beautiful botanical garden, which offers a great place for relaxing and bonding with nature. Guests can bike around the university premises on weekends and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

• When it was founded: 12 February 1855
• Best time to visit: Fall
• Hours of operation: 8 am to 5 pm

Calvin College In Grand Rapids

A bright, clean 400-acre campus with trees and paths for biking and nature walks.

Found in West Michigan, this beautiful college is known for its Christian faith. It occupies around 400 acres and was designed to offer a small, welcoming community while allowing access to other attractions Grand Rapids city offers . The campus is covered in trees with beautiful buildings that promote learning and interaction. Students and visitors can bike, walk, or run on the paved paths and enjoy a wetland and a nature preserve. The university was established by immigrants in 1857 and has since been empowering learners with God’s word.

• When it was founded: 4 August 1876
• Best time to visit: All-year-round

Related: A City With A Little Of Everything: The Ultimate Guide To Grand Rapids & Things To Do

Grand Valley State University In Allendale

A secluded 1391-acre campus with trails, ponds, towers, and bridges surrounded by natural beauty.

Founded in 1960, Grand Valley State University is one of the most beautiful campuses on 1,391 acres. The campus is big and exciting, with fantastic buildings that look lovely inside and outside. It has several hiking trails that lead to beautiful trees and plants. Cock Carillon Clock Tower, Zumberge Pond, The Ravines , and Little Mac Bridge are some of the most beautiful spots in this university.

• When it was founded: 25 October 1960

Northern Michigan University In Marquette

A rural 1899 university on lake superior with stunning waterfront views and exceptional mountain vistas.

Northern Michigan University was established in 1899 to offer teacher preparation programs. But with time, it has advanced into an excellent university in the state. Because of its stunning beauty (Marquette is one of the prettiest and best Michigan towns ), the university receives thousands of vacationers yearly. It has a beautiful waterfront and allows exceptional mountain views. Found on Lake Superior’s shores, visitors can enjoy the stunning views of the lake and other natural areas. There are fantastic buildings here, like the Thomas Fine Arts Building and Jamrich Hall.

• When it was founded: 19 September 1899

Western Michigan University- Kalamazoo

A 1903 teacher's college evolved into a campus filled with new, comfortable buildings and scenic spots.

The university started as Western State Normal School for training teachers but changed its name in 1957. There are many beautiful buildings at Western Michigan University , including the incredible Lee Honors College and Waldo Library, with a lovely glass ceiling stained with glass. There are also many beautiful areas within the campus’s grounds, like the Kleinstuck Preserve and Goldsworth Valley Pond. The university is also surrounded by rolling hills and green spaces. With many scenic spots, it offers many things to do in Kalamazoo.

• When it was founded: 1903

Saginaw Valley State University In Lakes Bay Region

A friendly community with a sculpture museum and traditions like decorating "the rock" on campus.

This is a great place to explore Greek life. Initially, it was called Saginaw Valley State University but later renamed in 1974. There are many beautiful places to tour here, depending on what one likes. The sculpture museum is a popular place to relax and unwind. There’s a rock in the heart of the campus that is decorated depending on what is happening around the area. It is covered with green trees that decorate the space during fall.

• When it was founded : November 1963
• Best time to visit : Fall
• Hours of operation: 8 am to 4:30 pm

University Of Michigan In Ann Arbor

One of america's most prestigious campuses with historic architecture along the huron river.

The University of Michigan is among the most distinguished universities worldwide. It is found along the Huron River and consists of five campuses, all of which are beautiful. The buildings feature historic architecture that contributes to the area’s beauty. This campus that was once a preparatory school in Detroit in 1817 has been developed into what it is now over the years. The Central Campus is lively in the summer, with green grass and areas. There are many museums, shops, and gardens within the university’s grounds, offering many things to do in Ann Harbor .

• When it was founded: 26 August 1817
• Hours of operation: 9 am to 5 pm

Related: These Are The 10 Most Historic Universities In The World

Aquinas College Outside Grand Rapids

A 1940 catholic college with a wooded campus and arts center performances.

Aquinas College was named to honor Saint Thomas Aquinas, who was among the most brilliant minds and influential thinkers among the Catholics in 1940. It has been featured among the most beautiful campuses. The environment is wooded, and the college offers several shows at the Arts Center. With beautiful ground, people feel like they are in a natural environment far from the city. Although the buildings are older, they are well-maintained and look spectacular.

• When it was founded: 31 January 1894
• Best time to visit: Winter
• Hours: 9 am to 5 pm

Hope College In Holland

A vibrant 1851 christian college with stunning seasonal beauty from tulips to snow.

The physical atmosphere is one of the most attractive things about this college . The environment is stunning in all seasons, which is why it's among the top tourist attractions in Michigan. During autumn, the campus grounds change into a colorful and cozy area, while in the winter, Dimnent Chapel is covered with snow, creating a picturesque sight. In spring, tulips bud in preparation for the annual tulip festival, and in summer, hammocks are present, and the grass is green.

• When it was founded : October 1851
• Hours: 8 am to 5 pm

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3 New Dinos Join Western Michigan University’s FREE Dinosaur Park

Cover photo: WMU Facilities Management

Travel Back in Prehistoric Time with Dinosaur Park

Do you have a kid that digs dinos? Western Michigan University’s Dinosaur Park has become one of our favorite dinosaur exhibits in Michigan . It started with six prehistoric residents in 2021. These scale-model replicas are free to visit and offer an immersive experience for future paleontologists, geologists and other curious visitors. The group of dinosaurs grew by 15 feet in June of 2022 with the addition of a massive Brachiosaurus. But the dinos aren’t done with us yet. Thanks to a generous, local donation, Dinosaur Park’s pack now includes 10 members after three more dinosaurs were installed in March 2024.

In this Article

• Meet the New Dinosaurs • Where is Dinosaur Park? • Dinosaur Types • The Lloyd Schmaltz Geology and Mineral Museum

Meet the New Dinosaurs

Due to the generosity of the Kalamazoo Geological and Mineral Society (KGMS) , three new statues have joined Dinosaur Park. The trio includes one Allosaurus (pictured) and two Dilophosaurus statues. You may recall the Dilophosaurus from some pretty dramatic moments in the original Jurassic Park movie. While they did live in the Jurassic period, much of their depiction was untrue: Dilophosauruses did not spit poison and were much larger than shown in the film. However, it did make for some pretty memorable scenes!

What is the KGMS?

The Kalamazoo Geological and Mineral Society (KGMS) is 501(c)(3) educational organization whose main purpose is to further interest in gems, minerals, geology, paleontology, and lapidary arts. KGMS’s philanthropy does not end with these dinosaurs. This group regularly donates funds to support WMU’s students through scholarships and research grants. This club has been in Kalamazoo for over 65 years; they also host the annual Kalamazoo Rock and Mineral Show at the Expo Center (May 3-5, 2024) and have a FREE kids club! KGMS meets the first Tuesday of the month at The Portage Senior Center at 7:00PM, with social time at 6:30 PM. They are always open to new members .

Why Did KGMS Donate 3 Dinosaurs?

We had the pleasure of speaking with David Haas, KGMS President, about the dinosaurs: “Western Michigan has been such an incredible partner with KGMS for decades. This is one way we could give back to the university.” Haas also indicated the desire to educate younger generations: “We would love to inspire children to pursue the natural sciences as a career. Dinosaur Park is one way to get kids excited about geology and related fields.”

Where is Dinosaur Park?

Where to Park

Most parking lots are by permit only on Western’s campus, so follow all posted signs. The closest parking lot is behind Sangren Hall or near the Bernhard Center. For additional information, visit the Parking Services website.

How Many Different Dinosaurs Can We See?

There are eight different types of dinosaurs: 1 – Brachiosaurus 2 – Spinosaurus 3 – Triceratops 4 – Stegosaurus 5 – Utahraptor 6 – Parasaurolophus 7 – Allosaurus 8 – Dilophosaurus There are two Utahraptors and two Dilophosauruses, bringing the total statue count to 10.

How Big are the Dinosaurs?

Bigger than a breadbox- or a fourth-grader. These scale-model sculptures are large enough to enjoy visiting, but not so large that kids find them scary.

Safety Note : The dinosaurs are definitely a “look but don’t touch” exhibit. There are signs posted to remind visitors not to touch or climb on the statues.

Can We Learn More About the Dinosaurs?

Dinosaur Park is Still Evolving

Make a Museum Stop

Since you’re next door to Rood Hall, stop by The Schmaltz Geology and Mineral Museum , located on the first floor of the building. Museum Collections include the following: • The Kelley Collection of fossil and modern shark teeth • The James Duncan mineral and agate collection • A Michigan copper boulder • An ultraviolet fluorescent display • Mastodon fossils from Van Buren County, MI • World-class fossil and mineral specimens • An interactive augmented reality sandbox Museum Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Classes are held throughout the day at Rood Hall, so visitors are asked to be mindful of that during their visit.

Have you Visited Dinosaur Park?

Leave us a comment with your experience and let us know how it went!

More to Explore

Best pizza in kalamazoo: grab a slice at these top-voted swmi pizza restaurants, nominate an amazing teacher to win a 4-hour house cleaning or organizing session from jeannie cleaning, the gigantic guide to kalamazoo parks & playgrounds: 25+ places to swing, slide and play, 25+ best breakfast restaurants + brunch spots near kalamazoo, kalamazoo parents’ picks for best orthodontists- 2024, 2024 best restaurants in kalamazoo: top-voted food in swmi.

About The Author

11 thoughts on “3 New Dinos Join Western Michigan University’s FREE Dinosaur Park”

What are the days and times to see the dinosaurs?

What are the days and times to see the exhibit?

Any day or time! They are outside, so families can visit whenever they want. Parking on campus is easier on weekends, so that may be more convenient.

What date will the dinosaurs be gone by?

The dinosaurs are now residents on Western Michigan’s campus. We don’t think they are going anywhere!

Where did you park? I don’t want a ticket.

We’ve linked to Western’s parking department in this article for more specifics. Parking is easier on weekends when school is not in session.

Sorry if this is an odd question, but do you know if there are picnic tables in the area?

No picnic tables nearby that we have seen, but we recall seeing some benches not too far away.

Is parking free on the weekend?

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

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Pay us a visit, in person or virtually. See everything waiting for you at Western.

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Visit Western Michigan University

There’s simply no substitute for seeing Western Michigan University for yourself and experiencing a little slice of what makes Western so unique and beloved. This way, whether you decide to see it up close and personal or virtually, you’ll walk away with a better understanding of what a Western education can really mean for you and your future. Explore the visit options for undergraduate students to see which program is the right fit for you. Graduate students are advised to review visit options through our Graduate College .

In-person options

An in-person visit is a great way to really experience everything that Western has to offer and see if you can really picture yourself here. You’ll be able to meet and talk to current students, visit a residence hall and do so much more. Be sure to register because we are unable to accommodate walk-in visitors at this time.

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Additional information for  graduate students  and  international students  is available.

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Mondays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m. ET

Your campus visit will include a 30-minute admissions presentation, a 75-minute main campus walking tour, and an introduction to your prospective academic college.* If you are unsure which academic college your intended major is housed, review our  list of majors  and  academic colleges . Some academic spotlights have limited capacity; registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis.

*If you plan to attend an in-person campus tour of the College of Aviation, please first  register for a virtual information session . 

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. ET

Your campus visit will include a 30-minute admissions presentation and a 75-minute main campus walking tour from a current Bronco. If your major falls into one of the colleges below, you have the opportunity of connecting with them after your walking tour. Some academic spotlights have limited capacity; registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you are unsure which academic college your intended major is housed, review our  list of majors  and  academic colleges . 

• 11:15 a.m. Haworth College of Business
• 11:45 a.m. College of Health and Human Services
• 12:30 p.m. College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
• 1:30 p.m. College of Aviation*

*If you plan to attend an in-person campus tour of the College of Aviation,  please first  register for a virtual information session .

Weekdays at 1:30 p.m. ET

Your campus visit will include a 30-minute admissions presentation and a 75-minute main campus walking tour from a current Bronco. 

Select Saturdays

Your campus visit will include a 30-minute admissions presentation and a 75-minute main campus walking tour from a current Bronco. If your major is within the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences or the College of Aviation, there are opportunities to visit those locations after your main campus tour. There is limited capacity; registrations will be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• 1 p.m. College of Engineering and Applied Sciences

*If you plan to attend an in-person campus tour of the College of Aviation, please first  register for a virtual information session .

Open house - admitted student events

Open houses

Open houses are a more in-depth experience for prospective students and their families to visit and learn more about WMU. Open houses are offered in the fall each year. There are four Open House dates, including one specifically for honors students.

Future Bronco Days: Admitted student events

Future Bronco Days are a great way for incoming WMU students to explore campus, ask questions and get more information about their future lives here on campus. Students will also get assistance with their next enrollment steps. These events are typically in the winter to early spring each year.

Before you visit

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Virtual tour options

Thanks to technology, our virtual experiences can be just as informative and almost as immersive as being here in person. From our live Q&A sessions to a 360° virtual campus tour, you have numerous ways to experience everything WMU has to offer, all from the comfort of home.

Take our self-guided virtual tour

You can visit our Western Michigan University campuses anytime you want by clicking the image below.

Live virtual tour with tour guide

Join one of our current student ambassadors for a live walk-through of our virtual tour.

View schedule of sessions

Get to know your admissions team

Want to talk to someone one-on-one? Our experienced and friendly admissions team members are happy to discuss anything you’d like about Western. Locate your rep based on where you live, and then set up a virtual or phone appointment at a time that works for your schedule.

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Western Michigan University admits students whose educational backgrounds indicate a high probability for success in college work.

Whether students apply online, mail the application, or have a one-on-one onsite admission, the major factors considered in the admission decision are grade point average, ACT/SAT scores (optional writing test recommended), college prep courses taken, and trend of grades. Additionally, other variables, such as letters of recommendation, the optional essay, and extra-curricular activities are reviewed.

WMU strongly recommends that applicants follow a college preparatory curriculum that would include minimally: four years of English; three years of mathematics, including intermediate algebra; three years of social sciences; two years of natural sciences; and two years of foreign language, especially for those students pursuing a major in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Offers of admission made to students still in high school are provisional pending graduation from high school and the University’s review of final senior year grades. Poor performance may result in a change of admission status or withdrawal of the admission offer.

In reviewing applications from prospective transfer students, the University makes decisions on the basis of previous college work (and high school grades if fewer than twenty-six semester hours will be transferred). At least a “C” average in transferable work is required for initial consideration.

Offers of admission made to students currently enrolled in another college or university are provisional, pending successful completion of work in progress. Poor performance may result in a change in admission status or withdrawal of the admission offer.

The University reserves the right to withdraw, revoke, and/or cancel an admission decision for any reason, and at any time, it deems warranted. This right shall also apply in instances when the University acquires information about an applicant or student after an admission decision is made.

Readmission

Students who make an initial enrollment at Western but do not return the following semester/term will have one year’s valid admission status in which to re-enroll, providing they left in good standing and have not attended another college since leaving WMU. After one year, students in good standing and with no college work since leaving WMU may reactivate their admission status by completing a readmission form.

Students who leave the University in good standing and subsequently take additional college work must complete a readmission application form and have official transcripts sent from each institution attended. The readmission decision will be made under existing transfer admission standards.

Dismissed students applying for readmission must complete a readmission application and obtain an authorized college advisor’s approval for readmission. University students who have been dismissed will normally not be readmitted for at least one fifteen week semester. The University will require evidence that the causes of past academic problems have been removed before approving readmission.

Forgiveness Policy

WMU undergraduate students who have not earned a degree and have not attended the University for at least four years may apply for academic forgiveness through the Office of the Registrar. Students who are granted academic forgiveness may have work still applicable to their program counted toward graduation requirements, but grades will not be calculated in their grade point average. The WMU grade point average will be calculated from a minimum of twelve graded hours of work attempted after the re-entry date. All other University regulations apply. As a matter of course, the Registrar will advise students granted forgiveness to meet with a college advisor.

Freshman Applicants

To be considered for freshman admission, with no previous college work, applicants should:

• Obtain an application (available from high school counselors, the Office of Admissions, or online at www.wmich.edu/admissions/undergradapp/ , complete the applicant section, attach a non-refundable $35 application fee, and give the application to your high school counselor;
• Have your high school counselor complete the school’s portion of the application and send it along with an official copy of your high school transcript directly to the Office of Admissions;
• Make arrangements to take the examinations of the American College Testing (ACT) Program, or the College Board (SAT), with results sent directly to Western Michigan University (ACT College Code 2066; SAT College Code 1902); and
• For those who have completed a General Educational Development (GED) Test, submit official GED scores as well as a high school transcript.

When to Apply

Students should submit applications for fall semester during the fall preceding their enrollment. High school students may apply for freshman admission after completion of the junior year. Admission decision will be mailed beginning September 15. Applications that are complete (application, transcript, test scores, application fee) and received by December 1 will receive priority consideration for scholarships..

Admission Interviews

In order to make the best possible decision for an individual student, an admissions officer may require a personal interview to clarify or explain parts of the application materials.

Advanced Placement

The Advanced Placement Program (AP) of the College Board provides the opportunity for students to earn college credit while still in high school. WMU awards credit for all AP areas. An AP score of three (3) or better will earn credit in all areas except physics, which requires four (4) or five (5). For those wishing to participate, have AP send a score report to WMU, College Code 1902. Detailed information can be found at www.wmich.edu/admissions/AP .

International Baccalaureate

Western Michigan University awards credit for IB higher level (HL) exam scores of 5 or better in the following subjects: Biology, Chemistry, English, History of Americas. Mathematics, Philosophy, and Physics. To obtain information about course credit or to inquire about consideration of other IB higher level subjects, contact the Office of Admissions.

Campus Visits

Whether you will be a freshman or transfer student, visiting campus is an important step in learning more about WMU. The Office of Admissions offers a variety of visit programs throughout the year, which include general information presentation and a walking tour of the main campus. For more information, or to arrange a visit, go online to www.wmich.edu/admission/undergraduate/visiting

Notification of Status

The University notifies freshman applicants of their admission status on a rolling basis beginning September 15 (for fall semester enrollment). When all materials are on file and the Admissions Committee acts, students will receive written notice. The decision may be to admit; to request additional grades, test scores, or an interview; or to ask the applicant to begin at another school and transfer to the University after establishing a successful college record.

Admission of students to freshman status while they are still in high school is conditional upon their graduation from high school and the University’s review of their final grades. Poor performance in the senior year may cause a change in admission status or withdrawal of the admission offer.

Orientation

The foundation for an intellectually engaged and socially involved freshman class of students is established in the first year. Events and programs are offered that will assist students, enrich academic and campus life, and encourage retention. The First Year Experience program is designed to address those topics, and new students will receive information about the program following admission to WMU.

Transfer Applicants

To be considered for admission as a transfer from another college or university, students should:

• Submit an application (available from community college counseling offices, the Office of Admissions, or online at www.wmich.edu/admissions/undergradapp/ ) with a $35 non-refundable application fee;
• Request that each college attended send an official transcript directly to the Office of Admissions at WMU (transcripts brought or sent by the student cannot be accepted as official). Failure to report all colleges attended will invalidate the application and may result in dismissal if admitted. Transfer credit will not be granted for any schools not reported. Applicants currently enrolled at another institution should have a partial transcript sent to WMU. A provisional admission decision and partial credit evaluation can be made to allow for advising and registration. A final transcript showing acceptable grades must be received within the first term of enrollment at Western; and
• If transferring fewer than twenty-six college semester hours, submit a high school transcript and ACT/SAT scores.

Applicants are strongly advised to submit all materials (application, fee, transcripts) in January to be considered for the Fall semester, in September for the Spring semester, and in December for Summer I or II sessions. All application materials must meet postmark deadlines of August 1 for Fall semester and December 1 for Spring semester.

The University notifies transfers of their admission status on a rolling basis. When all materials are on file and the Admissions Committee acts, students receive notification. The decision may be to admit, to hold a decision for work in progress at another institution, or to suggest a student take more work before being accepted.

Admission of students attending another institution is provisional upon successful completion of the work in progress. Poor performance may change the admission status or cause withdrawal of the admission offer.

Credit Evaluation

Students Transferring to WMU

Students accepted for transfer to WMU will receive an evaluation of their previous college work, showing courses transferred with WMU equivalencies. Course equivalencies for Michigan’s public community colleges and other transfer information are available in the counseling offices of those community colleges or at the Office of Admissions web site www.wmich.edu/admissions . Credit transfer information for other institutions is also available from the Office of Admissions.

Transferable courses completed at another college will be accepted for credit only, and only courses in which a “C” or better was earned will be eligible for transfer. Grades earned in those classes will be used only to determine admissibility to the University; they will not be recorded on the WMU transcript. Credit earned by examination does not normally transfer to the University. Students who have taken AP or CLEP examinations should have official score reports sent to the Office of Admissions, according to the “Credit By Examination” information elsewhere in this catalog.

Western Michigan University normally accepts work taken at a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency (for example, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools). Work taken at a college or university accredited by an agency other than a regional accrediting agency may be accepted on a provisional basis, subject to validation. The validation process consists of successful, subsequent completion of 26 semester hours of course work at WMU or at another regionally accredited school with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Trend of the most recent grades also will be taken into account. The credit will be awarded after the validation has been completed.

Transfer credit from foreign institutions will be evaluated by the Haenike Institute’s International Services and Student Affairs Office and credit awarded on a course-by-course basis depending on the result.

WMU Students Transferring Credit Back to WMU

All regulations and procedures concerning transfer of credit for new students also apply to WMU students who take work at other institutions to transfer back to Western. Before enrolling at another institution, WMU students should discuss course selection with their WMU academic advisor and a credit evaluator in the Office of Admissions to ensure transferability.

Advising/Registration

All admitted transfer students should make arrangements for an advising session with an appropriate WMU college advisor as soon as they have their admission materials and credit evaluation. At this session students will learn how transferred courses apply to the WMU major and will select courses for registration. Registration may be completed after the advising session. Admitted transfer students should call their college advising office directly to arrange an advising session. Transfer students should meet with their advisor and register during the registration periods available to current WMU students and should not wait until just before the beginning of classes.

The Haenicke Institute’s International Services and Student Affairs Office (ISSA) handles the special needs of international students by processing applications for admission, conducting orientation programs for new international students, assisting with housing arrangements, coordinating community programs involving international students, providing immigration advice, serving as liaison between students and their financial sponsors, and offering personal and social counseling.

International students interested in seeking admission to Western Michigan University should contact ISSA for application forms and instructions. The website is www.wmich.edu/oiss

To qualify for admission, international students must show that they are academically, financially, and linguistically capable of succeeding in full-time study. Before an international student can be admitted and the Certificate of Eligibility for a visa issued, the student must:

• Complete an application form and return it to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services with a $100.00 application document fee.
• Provide complete and official transcripts of secondary and undergraduate studies as well as copies of diplomas, certificates or degrees earned. These must be translated into English and list course titles and grades (marks) received for each.
• Provide proof of adequate funding per academic year. This funding amount includes tuition, room and board, books, and health insurance ($25,612 - $27,442 for undergraduate applicants). Personal/family savings must be verified by a bank statement. If sponsored by a government, an official letter must be submitted showing that the scholarship is valid for use at WMU, and indicating beginning and ending dates of validity.
• Complete the Student and Dependent Information form.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) A score of 500 (173 CBT; 62 IBT) is required for restricted admission (part-time remedial English and part-time academics during the first semester) or 550 (213 CBT; 80 IBT) for unrestricted admission. Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) A score of 75 is required for restricted admission or 85 for unrestricted admission. General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Pass in English with grade of A, B, or C from one of the five British-based examining boards only. This is equivalent to a 550 TOEFL. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) using Academic (not the General Training Module). A score of 6.5 is required for restricted admission or 7.0 for unrestricted admission. International Baccalaureate (IB) A grade of 5 in English is required at the Higher Level for unrestricted admission. Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE) or Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) A passing grade is required for unrestricted enrollment. CELCIS Successful completion of the advanced level and instructor recommendations from CELCIS.

A prospective student may enroll in the WMU Career English Language Center for International Students (CELCIS) until achieving the required TOEFL score for academic enrollment. For more information, contact the CELCIS Office.

Alpha Program

The Alpha Program is a one-year conditional admission academic support program for first-year students. The program provides developmental academic advising, alerts students to University resources, and requires attendance at skill- building workshops.

Consideration is given to those students who do not meet WMU’s regular admissions criteria but who have demonstrated the potential for college-level work. From this pool, the Office of Admissions will select those students who appear to have the best chance for success. The Office of Admissions determines eligibility of applicants for admission as Alpha students.

Selected students and their parents or guardians are asked to sign a program contract accepting conditions of admission.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy is an accelerated teaching and learning development program that has been in existence at WMU since 1968. Named in honor of the late Dr. King, this particular program has the distinction of being the forerunner of similar programs in colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Initially, the program was funded through a grant from the Kellogg Foundation and was able to provide scholarships as well as remedial help to its participants. “Project 73,” the original name of the program, began in the fall of 1968 with sixty WMU freshmen coming from high schools throughout southwestern Michigan. It now is a year-round program, beginning in the fall of the student’s freshman year.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy provides a broad range of cultural and academic learning experiences that are designed to bring together individuals as well as groups of students from diverse racial, ethnic, cultural, social class, and religious backgrounds for meaningful interactions and to provide a broad base of learning experiences, curricular, co-curricular, research, service, independent, creative, artistic, and study abroad to reach the unique potential of each student participant. The Academy strives to enhance the educational experience of the participants by creating a challenging, diverse, and friendly learning environment that leads to greater student engagement and success.

MLK Academy students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of programs and activities, including:

• Exposure to and encouragement for international study.
• Academic enhancement programs, including faculty and professional staff mentors and faculty-guided research projects leading to advanced degrees.
• Support of peer-group leaders to enhance student learning and development activities.
• Affiliation with student organizations that enhance professional development.
• Introduction to career development programs and associated internships.
• Participate in community involvement and volunteerism (service learning projects).
• Attend a series of events featuring speakers that represent the growing multicultural community at WMU.

Requirements for Academy Participation

• Attend fall orientation program.
• Attend bi-monthly meetings with Division of Multicultural Affairs staff and peer leaders.
• Maintain a cumulative WMU grade point average of 2.0 or above.

Non-degree Admission

Students who do not seek a degree and only wish to take classes should request this admission status. Students who have been enrolled in any academic institution within the preceding five years must meet the same admission requirements and follow the same admission procedures as degree-seeking students. Acceptance for non-degree status does not constitute degree admission to WMU. If a non-degree admitted student subsequently decides to apply to a specific WMU degree program, the applicant will be expected to meet all University and program-specific admission requirements. The time period for any “Non-degree Admission” status may not exceed four years from the time such admission status is granted. Applicants for non-degree admission:

• Should complete a regular application for admission and indicate non-degree status for program choice;
• may register for any course for which the prerequisites and/or course restrictions have been met; and
• may enroll in subsequent terms for up to four years in non-degree status, providing they meet University probation and dismissal standards (see Academic Standards in the Registration, Records, and Regulations section of this catalog).

Certain University courses and financial aid may not be available to non-degree students.

Guest Students

Students who are currently in attendance and in good academic standing (at least a 2.0 grade point average) at another college or university may apply to Western Michigan University to take classes as a guest student. Guests should work with their home institution in advance to determine the appropriate classes to be taken at WMU. Guest admission does not constitute degree admission to WMU. Students seeking Guest status should use the guest application available from the Office of Admissions web site www.wmich.edu/admissions or their current institution.

High School Dual Enrollees

Students who wish to take courses at the University while still in high school should submit a High School Dual Enrollment application (available from the Office of Admissions or from the Office of Admissions web site). Seniors with at least a 3.25 high school grade point average will normally be admitted. Freshman through juniors with at least a 3.50 grade point average will be considered for enrollment on a case-by-case basis. In either instance, admission as a high school dual enrollment student does not constitute degree admission. Students who wish to apply for degree admission must be considered under regular admission standards.

Project Scope (Senior Citizens’ Opportunity Program in Education)

The following are the key features of the Senior Citizen’s Opportunity in Education Program:

• Senior citizens (persons 62 years of age or older) may qualify.
• Enrollees may register in one regularly scheduled class , tuition free, each semester or session on a seat-available basis during the drop/add period. The late registration fee is waived.
• Enrollees may not register for credit.
• Only academic facilities necessary for the performance in class are accessible to SCOPE participants. SCOPE enrollees do not have access to normal services available to regular students such as the Sindecure Health Center, Student Recreation Center, student discounts, etc. Special identification cards are issues to SCOPE participants.
• Regular, degree-seeking admission is not extended to enrollees so the admission application is waived.
• Special course fees for materials, trips, etc. are assessed.
• Specific courses may not be available to SCOPE students due to space availability.

Over 100 Arrested at Columbia After Pro-Palestinian Protest

At least 108 protesters were in custody, the police said, after officers clad in riot gear cleared tents from a pro-Palestinian demonstration on campus. More students have arrived to show support and put up new ones.

• Share full article
• Protesters gathering outside Columbia University’s campus. By Joshua Briz Via Associated Press
• Police officers arresting demonstrators at Columbia University. C.S. Muncy for The New York Times
• Demonstrators marching on the campus. Sharon Otterman/The New York Times
• The police facing off with the demonstrators. C.S. Muncy for The New York Times
• Demonstrators marching near the campus. Karsten Moran for The New York Times
• Arrested protesters being led onto a police vehicle. By The Associated Press
• Demonstrators' tents on campus. C.S. Muncy for The New York Times
• Columbia employees clearing the tents. C.S. Muncy for The New York Times
• Demonstrators marching by police officers outside the campus. Karsten Moran for The New York Times

Sharon Otterman and Alan Blinder

Here’s what to know about the protests.

More than 100 students were arrested on Thursday after Columbia University called in the police to empty an encampment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, fulfilling a vow to Congress by the school’s president that she was prepared to punish people for unauthorized protests.

“I took this extraordinary step because these are extraordinary circumstances,” the president, Nemat Shafik, wrote in a campuswide email on Thursday afternoon.

The president’s decision swiftly sharpened tensions on campus, which has been battered for months by boisterous pro-Palestinian demonstrations that many Jewish people regarded as antisemitic. And it stood to become a milestone for the country, as campuses have been torn by the Israel-Hamas war and grappled with how to manage protests.

What was far less clear was whether the harsher tactics would form an updated playbook for officials struggling to calm restive campuses, or do little besides infuriate and inflame.

Protesters had already promised that any effort to dismantle the encampment would only embolden them.

Dr. Shafik’s message arrived as swarms of New York City police officers, clad in riot gear and bearing zip ties, marched on the encampment of about 50 tents that had sprung up earlier in the week. On Thursday, protesters clutched Palestinian flags, demonstrators sat huddled on the ground and a thicket of onlookers kept watch as officers bore down on tents in the zone that had styled itself as the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment.”

“Since you have refused to disperse, you will now be placed under arrest for trespassing,” a man repeatedly called through a loudspeaker. The protesters responded with their own repeated cry: “Columbia, Columbia, you will see — Palestine will be free!”

Mayor Eric Adams said on Thursday evening that while Columbia has a “proud history of protest,” students did not “have a right to violate university policies and disrupt learning.”

Less than an hour later, at least two buses were filled with arrested protesters, while other demonstrators thundered their displeasure toward officers. Among those arrested, according to police, was Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Representative Ilhan Omar, Democrat from Minnesota. Ms. Hirsi was issued a summons for trespassing.

“They can threaten us all they want with the police, but at the end of the day, it’s only going to lead to more mobilization,” Maryam Alwan, a senior and pro-Palestinian organizer on campus, had said before the arrests.

Barnard College, across the street from Columbia and so closely linked to the university that the two institutions share dining halls, said it had begun issuing interim suspensions against its students who participated in the encampment.

“Now and always, we prioritize our students’ learning and living in an inclusive environment free from harassment,” Barnard said in its own campus message. “Given the evolving circumstances at Columbia and in the area, we are working to ensure the safety and well-being of the entire Barnard community.”

The core of the turmoil, though, was at Columbia.

Etched into Columbia’s history is the brutal police crackdown that its administrators authorized in 1968 against student protesters who were occupying academic buildings. The fallout from the violence tarnished the school’s reputation and led it to adopt reforms in favor of student activism.

Now, the university points proudly to that activism as one of the hallmarks of its culture, and markets it to prospective students. On Thursday, Dr. Shafik insisted that university officials “work hard to balance the rights of students to express political views with the need to protect other students from rhetoric that amounts to harassment and discrimination.”

In recent months, she and administrators across the country have felt that tension acutely, as the federal government opened investigations into the handling of bias claims at dozens of schools, Congress subpoenaed records and court dockets filled with lawsuits.

Columbia, with roughly 5,000 Jewish students and a vibrant strain of support for the Palestinian cause, has drawn particular attention, which led to the appearances by Dr. Shafik and three other Columbia leaders on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

During her testimony, Dr. Shafik said she had been frustrated “that Columbia’s policies and structures were sometimes unable to meet the moment,” and said the university had updated many of them. Some of those changes include limiting protests to certain times of day and to designated spots on campus.

Columbia’s tightened rules were being tested even as Dr. Shafik testified. By 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Columbia said, the university had issued a written warning to students in the encampment: They had 105 minutes to leave or they would face suspension.

Administrators also deployed intermediaries to try to defuse the showdown, only, they said, to have those entreaties rejected.

In a statement before the arrests, Apartheid Divest, a coalition of student groups, said that protesters planned to remain until the university acceded to its demands, including that the university cut its financial ties to Israel. And while Dr. Shafik’s decision drew immediate criticism from the protesters and their allies, others on and around Columbia’s campus had signaled that they would support a crackdown.

“They have guidelines and if they are violating them, I don’t see why this is a special circumstance,” said Ami Nelson, a student.

Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, administrators at Columbia had tried to calibrate their approaches to the demonstrations, balancing free-speech rights with the security of Jewish students.

But before the Republican-led House Committee on Education and the Workforce on Wednesday, Dr. Shafik and other Columbia leaders signaled a tougher approach. The co-chair of the university’s board, Claire Shipman, declared that there was “a moral crisis on our campus.” And Dr. Shafik went so far as to detail some of the disciplinary actions underway, including suspensions and firings.

That conciliatory approach toward House Republicans infuriated many on campus.

In New York, some students and faculty members complained that university leaders had largely kowtowed to a Congress whose insistent questioning helped fuel the recent resignations by the presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania.

There has been no indication that Dr. Shafik, who took office last July, has lost the confidence of Columbia’s board. Thursday’s tactics, though, showed how much more aggressive she has become in her campaign to quell protests.

Five days after the attack on Israel, hundreds of protesters gathered on the campus, and the university shut its gates — a step that has now become familiar as protests have flared. Weeks later, Columbia suspended a pair of student groups, Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace, in connection with an unauthorized student walkout.

The university rolled out a protest policy in February that was designed to curtail demonstrations, and this month, Dr. Shafik announced suspensions of students who had helped organize an event that included open expressions of support for Hamas.

“This is a challenging moment and these are steps that I deeply regret having to take,” Dr. Shafik wrote on Thursday.

Tents were removed later that day. But within hours, another protest had formed on the lawn and new tents were up.

Reporting was contributed by Olivia Bensimon , Anna Betts , Karla Marie Sanford, Stephanie Saul and Chelsia Rose Marcius

Sharon Otterman

Columbia announced that it was storing all items that were left at the encampment after the police moved in, and that it was working out the logistics for how students can pick their belongings up.

Olivia Bensimon

The protest is on the move again, with demonstrators marching around Columbia’s campus and chanting, “N.Y.P.D., back down.”

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Chelsia Rose Marcius

The daughter of Representative Ilhan Omar, Isra Hirsi, was among the protesters who were arrested, the police confirmed. Ms. Hirsi was issued a summons for trespassing.

Protesters were issued summonses for trespassing. Two of them were also charged with obstruction of governmental administration, police officials said.

At a news conference, Mayor Eric Adams said that more than 100 protesters occupied a lawn on Columbia's campus for over 30 hours. The police “made more than 108 arrests,” he said.

Stephanie Saul

The conflict with protesters has been brewing for months. Here’s what led to the school’s decision.

Just as the police arrested students on Columbia University’s campus on Thursday, Nemat Shafik, the university’s president, sent out a campuswide email to faculty and students.

She said that while she had asked the New York Police Department to intervene, she made the decision with “deep regret.”

Dr. Shafik’s decision, which followed consultation with the university’s board, came after months of effort to control the protests, which began after the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October.

In January, Columbia and the N.Y.P.D. were investigating reports that pro-Palestinian demonstrators were sprayed with a foul-smelling chemical during a protest, prompting eight people to seek medical treatment. One of the students allegedly involved in the incident, who was suspended, has filed a lawsuit .

By February, the university had placed new restrictions on protests, which required that demonstrators register at least two days in advance, that demonstrations be held within designated areas and that they be restricted to Monday through Friday, from noon to 6 p.m. The idea was to limit the disruption to daily campus life.

One person close to the administration said the rules had been broken multiple times and in a variety of ways, leading up to the decision on Thursday.

Even so, PEN America, a free speech organization, called the decision to arrest students troubling.

“It is disturbing to see a campus move so quickly to arrest students for peacefully expressing their political views within the free speech zone, and it is even more alarming that this action came amidst political pressure to crack down on pro-Palestinian expression on campus after yesterday’s hearing in the House,” the organization said in a statement, referring to a hearing Wednesday in which Dr. Shafik was the star witness.

This month, Dr. Shafik confirmed to the campus newspaper, Columbia Daily Spectator, that four students had been suspended indefinitely and given 24 hours to vacate their campus housing. They had participated in an event called Resistance 101, a discussion that took place in a campus facility, which was deemed out of compliance with university policy.

Dr. Shafik’s decision on Thursday also followed what she said were several attempts to coax the student encampment to vacate their tents, which had been located on the university’s Morningside campus, in a central green near the library.

“The individuals who established the encampment violated a long list of rules and policies,” Dr. Shafik said in her email to the campus.

The university also tried to engage with the students’ concerns, she wrote, but to no avail.

The New York Civil Liberties Union has denounced the university's leadership for its handling of the protest.

“Columbia’s move to send in police so quickly after these demonstrations began chills student expression, marks a significant departure from past practice, and raises questions about the university’s disparate treatment of students based on their views,” Donna Lieberman, the executive director of the organization, said in a statement.

At least 108 protesters at Columbia University are in police custody, according to New York Police Department officials. The protesters have not been officially arrested or charged. The police are expected to provide more details at a news conference around 6 p.m.

Mayor Eric Adams will join Edward A. Caban, the police commissioner, for the 6 p.m. news conference.

Karla Marie Sanford

On campus, a third tent is being constructed. Someone bought pizza for the protesters still assembled on the green. It seems students may attempt to stay at the scene indefinitely.

The protesters who had been fenced into an area on Broadway and 116th Street broke out of their pen and onto the roadway after police officers took a man into custody. They’re now marching west on 120th Street.

A small encampment has sprouted on the Western lawn, and hundreds of students remain here protesting, forming a human chain around the lawn.

Vimal Patel

A protest 56 years ago became an important part of Columbia’s culture.

Columbia University is no stranger to major student protests, and the uproar that unfolded at the institution on Thursday had echoes of a much bigger revolt in 1968 — another time of upheaval over a war many students deeply believed was immoral.

That year, in April, in the throes of the Vietnam War, Columbia and Barnard students seized five campus buildings, took a dean hostage and shut down the university.

By April 30, a week after the protest started, university officials cracked down.

At about 2 a.m., police began clearing students from Hamilton Hall “after entering the building through underground tunnels,” according to the student newspaper , The Columbia Daily Spectator. Minutes later, police entered Low Library, again through tunnels, removing occupying students by force.

By 4 a.m., they had cleared all buildings, resulting in more than 700 arrests — one of the largest mass detentions in New York City history — and 148 reports of injuries, the student newspaper reported. Officers trampled protesters, hit them with nightsticks, punched and kicked them and dragged them down stairs, according to a New York Times report .

Most of the injuries were cuts and bruises, relatively minor as compared to some of the brutal arrests of protesters at the height of antiwar and civil rights demonstrations at the time. The university also sustained some property damage, including smashed furniture, toppled shelves and broken windows.

In the end, the protesters won their goals of stopping the construction of a gym on public land in Morningside Park, cutting ties with a Pentagon institute doing research for the Vietnam War and gaining amnesty for demonstrators.

The protests would also lead to the early resignations of Columbia’s president, Grayson L. Kirk, and its provost, David B. Truman.

The fallout from the violence hurt the university’s reputation and led to reforms favoring student activism. Today the university touts its tradition of protest as part of its brand.

On Thursday, another Columbia president, Nemat Shafik, took what she called an “extraordinary step” and authorized the New York Police Department to clear out a student encampment on campus.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators repitched a couple of tents, and seemed to have recovered the main signage from the encampment as well.

Hundreds are still gathered and chanting on the south side of the grass.

Police officers are still standing in the eastern yard. But on the whole things have calmed down.

Outside the school gates on 116th Street, there is still a significant police presence and a group of pro-Palestinian protestors are still chanting.

Nicholas Fandos

Columbia got backup on Thursday afternoon from one of its most prominent alumni: Representative Jerrold Nadler, Democrat of New York. Nadler is one of House’s leading civil libertarians and its longest-serving Jewish member. “Columbia has an obligation to protect students and their learning environment," he said. "The university has set guidelines for peaceful protests on campus, and Columbia has a right to enforce their own rules. Those who continue to violate campus policies are putting members of the Columbia community at risk.”

Cornel West, a left-wing public intellectual and independent candidate for president, is addressing the student protesters. “I just want to say I stand here in solidarity with you," he says. "I stand in solidarity with human suffering."

Federico Pepe, a student from Italy studying at Columbia College, took the protest in stride. “It happens all the time in Italy so it’s not surprising," he said. "At the same, there are a lot of police. If you go to Broadway, there’s so many. It’s strange.”

It’s started to drizzle, and most of the protesters who had been chanting outside campus have left.

Hundreds of students have formed a new impromptu protest around the campus lawn just west of the encampment. Dozens of students have hopped the fence into the lawn and and are sitting on the now wet grass in a light rain. Many are wearing kaffiyeh, and a Palestinian flag is waving. Their message seems to be: You can’t arrest us all. “The people united will never be defeated,” some chant.

A university employee said that the protesters' tents are being thrown away.

A picket has formed around the western lawn of the Columbia campus. Inside, hundreds of students are sitting on the grass in a circle.

The protest on 114th and Amsterdam is dispersing after an organizer instructed attendees to clear the roadway. “We have to let these buses through so these folks can get processed and go home,” he said.

Jeremy W. Peters

Some colleges are cracking down on student demonstrations.

The 100-year-old annual honors convocation at the University of Michigan is typically a decorous affair, with a pipe organ accompanying golf-clap applause.

This year’s event was anything but. Protesters rose from their seats, and unfurled banners with “Free Palestine” written in red paint. They shouted, “You are funding genocide!”

Unable to continue with the ceremony, university officials cut it short , as hundreds of disappointed students and their parents stood up and walked out.

Two days after the honors convocation, the university’s president, Santa J. Ono, issued a stern rebuke: Enough.

“Like many of you, I am proud of our university’s history of protest,” he said. “But none of us should be proud of what happened on Sunday.” He announced that the school would draft a new policy to redefine what could be punished as disruptive behavior.

The University of Michigan is not alone.

After years of often loose enforcement of their own rules, some of the country’s most high-profile academic institutions are getting bolder, suspending and in some cases expelling students. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New York University and Brown University have recently taken swift and decisive action against student protesters, including making arrests .

And on Thursday, Columbia University hit its limit with student protesters who had set up dozens of tents on campus, sending in the New York Police Department to make arrests. The arrests followed congressional testimony on Wednesday, in which the president of Columbia, Nemat Shafik, said the school had delivered an unambiguous message to students that misconduct would not be tolerated.

College officials are driven by criticism from alumni, donors and Republican lawmakers, but in interviews they also described a gnawing sense that civility on campus has broken down.

They say that lately, some student protests have become so disruptive that they not only are interfering with their ability to provide an education, but they also have left many students, particularly Jewish ones, fearing for their safety.

Recalibrating isn’t necessarily easy, as many universities are learning. Efforts by administrators to claw back some of their authority over campus demonstrations are being met with pushback from students, faculty and civil liberties groups who say a university’s role is to foster debate — even if it’s messy, rude and disruptive — not attempt to smother it.

Campus activists said the aggressive enforcement of the student disciplinary process by universities is a new and concerning development. “This is an escalation,” said Rosy Fitzgerald of the Institute for Middle East Understanding, a nonprofit that is tracking how schools are responding to student demonstrators.

Suspensions and expulsions “didn’t used to be a tactic,” she said. “But now we’re seeing that as an immediate response.”

In her congressional testimony, Dr. Shafik revealed that 15 Columbia students have been suspended in recent weeks. She also said the school had for the first time in 50 years made the decision to ask the N.Y.P.D. to assist with protests.

Vanderbilt University issued what are believed to be the first student expulsions over protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. More than two dozen demonstrators stormed the university president’s office — injuring a security guard and shattering a window — and occupied it for more than 20 hours. Vanderbilt suspended every student involved in the demonstration. Three were expelled.

Student protests have a history of being disruptive and occasionally violent, from the Vietnam War era to today. Since Donald J. Trump’s election in 2016, many campuses have become especially volatile places, seeing an increase in angry demonstrations over conservative speakers, some of whom have been disinvited out of fear for their safety.

The Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel has sparked another wave of protests, which university administrators and free speech advocates say poses new challenges. In interviews, they described encountering students who were unwilling to engage with administrators when invited to do so, quick to use aggressive and sometimes physical forms of expression, and often wore masks to conceal their identities.

“When I talk to my fellow university presidents, everybody has the same experience,” said Daniel Diermeier, the chancellor of Vanderbilt. He said that experience typically involves confrontations with a small group of students, several dozen or so, who are uncompromising.

“They’re not interested in dialogue. When they are invited for dialogue, they do not participate,” Dr. Diermeier said. “They’re interested in protesting, disruption.”

“That’s different,” he added.

At Pomona College in Southern California, seven students were suspended this month after a group of demonstrators forced their way into the president’s office to protest the removal of an “apartheid wall” in support of Palestinians.

School leadership described the incident as part of a troubling pattern in which students wearing masks that covered their faces set up tents on parts of the campus in violation of Pomona policy, harassed staff and visitors on campus tours, and then refused to identify themselves when asked.

It was impossible for college officials to tell whether they were even engaging with actual Pomona students — let alone have an open conversation, said Tracy Arwari, assistant vice president for student affairs at Pomona.

“In the same way we think about anonymity in internet communications, it’s really hard to have an argument if you don’t know who you’re arguing with,” Ms. Arwari said.

But as colleges consider how to rein in the protests, they risk overreaching.

“The last six months have really tested the principles that govern speech on campus,” said Suzanne Nossel, chief executive of PEN America, a writer’s group that focuses on supporting free expression.

On one hand, schools need to have room to set rules. But, Ms. Nossel said, “There is this tension between wanting to enforce the rules and also acknowledging that college is a learning environment. You want people to be able to make mistakes without facing lifelong consequences because if you’re too heavy-handed, it can reinforce this sense of grievance.”

Students who have been subject to tough disciplinary measures have said they found the process disorienting and sudden. At Vanderbilt, the students who were suspended were barred from campus, unable to stay in their dorm rooms, according to Ezri Tyler, a sophomore gender studies major who participated in the sit-in at the president’s office.

“Students were panicked and very confused,” Ms. Tyler said, adding that the school’s procedures seemed designed to “very purposely deny students due process.” She said that her suspension was lifted and that she is now on probation for 15 months.

Dr. Diermeier said that the school had to draw a line somewhere. “This has nothing to do with free speech. That’s a red herring,” he said, adding that no one has a right to harass.

But as colleges and universities take a harder line, they are running into resistance from students, faculty and outside civil liberties groups that say they are stifling the very kind of expressive freedom academia purports to cherish.

Michigan’s draft policy on disruptive conduct, for instance, has been criticized by the Michigan chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union as too vague and broad for disallowing activity like impeding the flow of foot traffic on campus and interrupting lectures or performances.

“Of course universities have a legitimate interest in prohibiting the kinds of major disruptions that completely shut down official events or make it physically impossible for speakers to communicate their message,” said Dan Korobkin, legal director of A.C.L.U. Michigan.

“But,” he added, “they cannot demand complete passivity from everyone who sets foot on campus.”

A University of Michigan spokeswoman, Colleen Mastony, said, “Our goal with the draft disruptive activity policy was to make policies clearer, ensure key terms are well defined.”

The university has solicited feedback on the draft, and Dr. Ono said in a recent letter to students and faculty that he would not “rush the development of this new policy; we will ensure all voices have an opportunity to be heard.”

At Vanderbilt, Dr. Diermeier has established an initiative, the Future of Free Speech, to promote free expression beyond college campuses. Jacob Mchangama, the head of that program, said in an interview that he had expressed his differences with Dr. Diermeier over the way the student occupation of the president’s office was handled, including when the police arrested a reporter for a local publication who was covering the event.

But, he added, the willingness of some students to push the limits of tolerable conduct necessitates a response from educators. It’s the job of professors to say, “Here are the red lines,” Mr. Mchangama said. “And that’s one of the issues that’s plaguing universities around the country.”

Sharon Otterman and Anna Betts

Ilhan Omar’s daughter is suspended for her involvement in the Columbia protests.

Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, is among several Barnard students who have been suspended for participating in a pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia University.

The camp, which includes dozens of tents pitched on the campus’s South Lawn in protest against Israeli actions in Gaza, has created a standoff between administrators and students on the Ivy League campus. Dozens of students were arrested on Thursday, after the university notified them that they would be suspended if they refused to move and the students vowed to remain in place.

Ms. Hirsi posted on social media around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday that she was one of three students suspended so far for participating in the protest, which began on Wednesday, the day the university’s president, Nemat Shafik, appeared before Congress to discuss antisemitism on campus.

At the congressional hearing, Dr. Shafik told lawmakers that she would enforce rules about unauthorized protests and antisemitism. Ms. Omar, who is on the committee that held the hearing and who did not mention that her daughter was among the pro-Palestinian protesters, was one of several Democrats who questioned Ms. Shafik about her actions toward Palestinian and Muslim students.

Ms. Hirsi, 21, said on social media that she was an organizer with Columbia University Apartheid Divest, the student coalition that has been pushing the university to cut ties with companies that support Israel. Such divestment is the key demand of protesters in the encampment. She is also involved with the Columbia chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, one of two student groups that was suspended in November for holding unauthorized protests.

“I have never been reprimanded or received any disciplinary warnings,” she wrote. “I just received notice that I am 1 of 3 students suspended for standing in solidarity with Palestinians facing a genocide.”

Ms. Hirsi is a junior majoring in sociology. Two other Barnard students, Maryam Iqbal, 18, a freshman, and Soph Dinu, 21, a junior majoring in religion, were also suspended, protest organizers said.

During the congressional hearing on Wednesday, Ms. Omar questioned Dr. Shafik about why pro-Palestinian students on campus had been evicted, suspended, harassed and intimidated for their participation in a pro-Palestinian event. Dr. Shafik responded that it was a very serious situation and that the suspended students had refused to cooperate with an investigation into an event where people spoke in support of Hamas.

Ms. Omar also asked about an alleged chemical attack on pro-Palestinian protesters . Dr. Shafik said that she had reached out to the students who had been attacked, but that the investigation was still with the police. Ms. Hirsi was among the students who was sprayed with an odorous substance, organizers said.

At one point, Ms. Omar asked Dr. Shafik if she had seen any protests at Columbia that were anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, anti-Palestinian or against Jewish people, to which Dr. Shafik responded “no.”

“There has been a rise in targeting and harassment against antiwar protesters,” Ms. Omar said during the hearing, adding, “There has been a recent attack on the democratic rights of students across the country.”

A statement from the president of Columbia University.

Nemat Shafik, the president of Columbia University, sent the following statement to faculty on Thursday.

To the Columbia University community: This morning, I had to make a decision that I hoped would never be necessary. I have always said that the safety of our community was my top priority and that we needed to preserve an environment where everyone could learn in a supportive context. Out of an abundance of concern for the safety of Columbia’s campus, I authorized the New York Police Department to begin clearing the encampment from the South Lawn of Morningside campus that had been set up by students in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

I took this extraordinary step because these are extraordinary circumstances. The individuals who established the encampment violated a long list of rules and policies. Through direct conversations and in writing, the university provided multiple notices of these violations, including a written warning at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday notifying students who remained in the encampment as of 9:00 p.m. that they would face suspension pending investigation. We also tried through a number of channels to engage with their concerns and offered to continue discussions if they agreed to disperse.

I regret that all of these attempts to resolve the situation were rejected by the students involved. As a result, NYPD officers are now on campus and the process of clearing the encampment is underway.

Protests have a storied history at Columbia and are an essential component of free speech in America and on our campus. We work hard to balance the rights of students to express political views with the need to protect other students from rhetoric that amounts to harassment and discrimination. We updated our protest policy to allow demonstrations on very short notice and in prime locations in the middle of campus while still allowing students to get to class, and labs and libraries to operate. The current encampment violates all of the new policies, severely disrupts campus life, and creates a harassing and intimidating environment for many of our students.

Columbia is committed to academic freedom and to the opportunity for students and faculty to engage in political expression — within established rules and with respect for the safety of all. The policies we have in place around demonstrations are in place to support both the right to expression and the safety and functioning of our university.

Prior to taking this action, I complied with the requirements of Section 444 of the University Statutes.

This is a challenging moment and these are steps that I deeply regret having to take. I encourage us all to show compassion and remember the values of empathy and respect that draw us together as a Columbia community.

Alan Blinder

Here are our takeaways from Wednesday’s antisemitism hearing.

Follow live updates on Pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.

Four Columbia University officials, including the university’s president and the leaders of its board, went before Congress on Wednesday to try to extinguish criticism that the campus in New York has become a hub of antisemitic behavior and thought.

Over more than three hours, the Columbia leaders appeared to avoid the kind of caustic, viral exchange that laid the groundwork for the recent departures of the presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania , whose own appearances before the same House committee ultimately turned into public relations disasters.

Here are the takeaways from the hearing on Capitol Hill.

With three words, Columbia leaders neutralized the question that tripped up officials from other campuses.

In December, questions about whether calling for the genocide of Jewish people violated university disciplinary policies led the presidents of Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Pennsylvania to offer caveat-laden, careful answers that ignited fierce criticism .

The topic surfaced early in Wednesday’s hearing about Columbia, and the Columbia witnesses did not hesitate when they answered.

“Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Columbia’s code of conduct?” asked Representative Suzanne Bonamici, Democrat of Oregon.

“Yes, it does,” replied David Greenwald, the co-chair of Columbia’s board of trustees.

“Yes, it does,” Claire Shipman, the board’s other co-chair, said next.

“Yes, it does,” Nemat Shafik, Columbia’s president, followed.

“Yes, it does,” said David Schizer, a longtime Columbia faculty member who is helping to lead a university task force on antisemitism.

To some lawmakers, Columbia’s effort in recent months remains lacking.

Even before the hearing started, Columbia officials have said that its procedures were not up to the task of managing the tumult that has unfolded in the months after the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7.

In a written submission to the committee, Dr. Shafik, who became Columbia’s president last year, said she was “personally frustrated to find that Columbia’s policies and structures were sometimes unable to meet the moment.”

She added the university’s disciplinary system was far more accustomed to dealing with infractions around matters like alcohol use and academic misconduct. But Columbia officials have lately toughened rules around protests and scrutinized students and faculty members alike.

Some Republican lawmakers pressed the university to take more aggressive action.

Representative Tim Walberg, Republican of Michigan, focused on Joseph Massad, a Columbia professor he accused of glorifying the Oct. 7 attack. Mr. Walberg demanded to know whether Ms. Shipman and Mr. Greenwald would approve tenure for Dr. Massad today.

Both said they would not, prompting Mr. Walberg to retort, “Then why is he still in the classroom?"

In an email on Wednesday, Professor Massad said he had not watched the hearing but had seen some clips. He accused Mr. Walberg of distorting his writing and said it was “unfortunate” that Columbia officials had not defended him.

Professor Massad said it was also “news to me” that he was the subject of a Columbia inquiry, as Dr. Shafik said he was.

Dr. Shafik, who noted that Columbia has about 4,700 faculty members, vowed in the hearing that there would be “consequences” for employees who “make remarks that cross the line in terms of antisemitism.”

So far, Dr. Shafik said, five people have been removed from the classroom or ousted from Columbia in recent months. Dr. Shafik said that Mohamed Abdou, a visiting professor who drew the ire of Representative Elise Stefanik, Republican of New York, “is grading his students’ papers and will never teach at Columbia again.” Dr. Abdou did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Columbia’s strategy before Congress: Signal collaboration, and even give some ground.

Congressional witnesses can use an array of approaches to get through a hearing, from defiance to genuflection. Columbia leaders’ approach on Wednesday tilted toward the latter as they faced a proceeding titled, “Columbia in Crisis: Columbia University’s Response to Antisemitism.”

Ms. Shipman told lawmakers that she was “grateful” for “the spotlight that you are putting on this ancient hatred,” and Mr. Greenwald said the university appreciated “the opportunity to assist the committee in its important effort to examine antisemitism on college campuses.”

But there were moments when university leaders offered more than Washington-ready rhetoric.

When Ms. Stefanik pressed Dr. Shafik to commit to removing Professor Massad from a leadership post, the president inhaled, her hands folded before her on the witness table.

“I think that would be — I think, I would, yes. Let me come back with yes,” Dr. Shafik responded after a few seconds. (After the hearing, a university spokesman said Professor Massad’s term as chair of an academic review panel was already set to end after this semester.)

Representative Kevin Kiley, Republican of California, effectively asked Dr. Shafik to draw a red line for the faculty.

“Would you be willing to make just a statement right now to any members of the faculty at your university that if they engage in antisemitic words or conduct that they should find another place to work?” Mr. Kiley asked.

“I would be happy to make a statement that anyone, any faculty member, at Columbia who behaves in an antisemitic way or in any way a discriminatory way should find somewhere else to go,” Dr. Shafik replied.

Even though the conciliatory tactics regularly mollified lawmakers, they could deepen discontent on campus.

Republicans are already planning another hearing.

The hearing that contributed to the exits of the Harvard and Penn presidents emboldened the Republicans who control the House committee that convened on Wednesday.

Even before the proceeding with Columbia leaders, they had already scheduled a hearing for next month with top officials from the school systems in New York City, Montgomery County, Md., and Berkeley, Calif.

Stephanie Saul and Anemona Hartocollis contributed reporting.

Columbia has been host to charged protests over Gaza in recent months.

Columbia University has toughened how it handles campus protests since the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7. Here are some of the key moments:

Oct. 12, 2023: Hundreds of protesters gathered at Columbia University for tense pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations that caused school administrators to take the then-extraordinary step of closing the campus to the public. The school now closes the campus routinely when protests are scheduled.

Nov. 9, 2023: Columbia suspended two main pro-Palestinian student groups, Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace, after they held an unauthorized student walkout. Administrators said the event had “proceeded despite warnings and contained threatening rhetoric and intimidation” after one person shouted anti-Jewish epithets. Protest organizers said they had tried to silence the person.

Jan. 19, 2024: Pro-Palestinian protesters said that someone sprayed them with a foul-smelling substance at a rally, causing at least eight students to seek medical treatment. Columbia labeled the incident a possible hate crime, barred the alleged perpetrators from campus and opened an investigation. Protest attendees, citing video evidence , say they believe the perpetrators were two students who had been verbally harassing them, but Columbia has given no details about their identities.

Feb. 19, 2024: Columbia announced a new protest policy . Protests are now only permitted in designated “demonstration areas” on weekday afternoons, and require two days’ notice to administrators. First-time violators receive warnings. Repeat violators are brought before a judicial board.

April 5, 2024: The university’s president announces the immediate suspension of multiple students accused of playing a role in organizing a March 24 event, “ Resistance 101 ,” at which the presenters spoke openly in support of Hamas and other U.S.-designated terrorist organizations. The students were told they would be evicted from student housing.

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How To Make the Most of Your End of Winter Semester!

Not ready for the year to end? Make the most of the time left!

With less than two weeks left of the semester, there have been a ton of lasts for people. Last time going to lecture, last assignment to submit on Canvas, last time walking around your residence hall. While all of these things are very nostalgic, I think it is super important to savor and truly enjoy your last days on campus as opposed to being upset about them.

With finals starting to catch up with everyone, I think it is essential that we take a deep breath and remember to enjoy the last days on campus. While studying is crucial, try doing it outside instead of in the UgLi (the Shapiro Undergraduate Library). As the days warm up in Ann Arbor, you can find students all over the Diag, lounging in hammocks and doing work. Even when trying to lock in, it is very relaxing spending time with friends and just soaking up the sun. I find it best to go into areas with fewer people as it is less distracting when trying to study outside. The most populated places are always the Law Quad and the Diag so stay away from those if you want to have a more chill environment while studying.

We all know that finals are critical to your success, but so is having balance. Yes work hard, but also enjoy your last days on campus. Take advantage of the free events that the university has to offer. Michigan Student Life always sends out an email every Sunday that has a ton of fun activities that students can attend to help students cope with their stress. I think these events are great opportunities to relax and still feel productive even if you are taking a break from studying.

One of my favorite things to do when savoring my last days at school is to just enjoy my time with my friends. I live pretty far from my closest friends at school so I try to savor the time I have with them. Even if it involves studying, going on walks, or eating meals together, I try to do these things in the company of others so that I feel like I spent my time best with them. Even the smallest interactions with my friends mean the world to me, and it makes me feel more fulfilled and less upset about leaving school the more time I spend with them.

I know that these are not all things that are meant for everyone, but the more time I spend doing the things I love in Ann Arbor the more excited I become about coming back to school in the fall. While I am sure all of the incoming students are so excited to start their journey at the University of Michigan, the biggest piece of advice I can give is to savor your time. It goes by super fast, and you will always feel like you just got to school, but trust me when I say you will feel so much better about your years at Michigan if you make the most of every opportunity that comes your way.

Mari Reyes-Toidze is a Stamps sophomore hoping to pursue a bachelors degree in both arts and architecture. She is from the city of Philadelphia and is a huge Eagles fan. She is part of the Michigan Club Swim Team and is on the membership team for her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta. She is also a campus manager for the company UTees. In her free time she enjoys reading, painting, and swimming.