Winter 2012

Western's Kirk Capron studied in Mongolia.

A growing number of WWU students – 538 last year alone – are earning credits toward graduation while studying or interning in more than 50 countries around the world.

Read about students who traveled to China, Chile, Mongolia and a dozen countries around the world.

And if your student is interested in going global at Western, encourage them to visit the International Programs and Exchanges office.

Western is stepping up efforts to encourage students to declare a major in a timely manner. Those who have earned 105 credits without declaring a major will need to work closely with advisors to get their graduation plans on track.

Learn what resources are available for students who are still looking for their academic passions.

Glimpse a patchwork of new students' ambitions for their time at Western, recorded at Convocation to be stored in a time capsule.

Western’s newly revised Student Rights and Responsibilities Code, which went into effect Jan. 9, more clearly spells out Western’s expectations that students maintain an environment conducive to academic success and the safety of others on campus.

Back 2 Bellingham offers three days of reunions, performances, social gatherings, "classes without quizzes" and other events showcasing the academic, social and cultural life of Western.

WWU reports all tuition charges, financial aid, grant or scholarship payment information for students on the 1098T.

Visit or call Student Financial Services to find out how to receive the 1098-T electronically, saving paper and ensuring it doesn't get lost.

If you haven't had the chance to talk to one of our WWU student phonathon callers, we hope you'll pick up the phone when they call!

Not only is it a great chance to hear from a student other than your own, but you'll learn all about how parents like you can get more involved with your student's success at Western.

Students operate differently now than they used to, says Carmen Werder, the Learning Commons' director. They're much more interactive, more social in the ways they glean and share information.

Prothero's New York Times bestseller "Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know–and Doesn't" (HarperOne, 2007), is the Western Reads Book for 2011-12. The author will discuss religion and American culture during his visit to campus and answer questions following the talk.

The $51.5 million project, funded by the Washington State Legislature, included renovations to classrooms, computer labs, offices and support facilities for Woodring College of Education, Department of Modern and Classical Languages and the Center for International Studies.

The work also produced about $78 million in economic revenue and about 500 jobs in Whatcom County. A public re-dedication ceremony will be Nov. 2

See photos of the new Miller Hall, including the new "green roof" here.

Not only can the friendly voice on the other end of the phone fill you in on what it's like to be a Western student, but they'll also tell you that the Parent Annual Fund supports programs and services on campus that help turn your child's hard-earned degree into the reality of a job.

Student Financial Services keeps a comprehensive information page about Western's new refund disbursement program.