SEPTEMBER 2018
The WMU Office of Government Affairs manages the
network and works on behalf of WMU to strengthen relationships 
with state, federal, and local policy makers.
UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, Sept. 17

  • WMU South Neighborhood projects info sessions--11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Sangren Mall and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Bernhard Center. Public welcome. Event flyer.

  • Promote the Vote--info session on the November ballot proposal to expand voting rights, 6 p.m., WMU Fetzer Center. Event flyer.

  • Constitution Day talk: "The Upper House-Ally or Oppostion to Early American Governors?, 7 to 9 p.m., 3202 Friedmann Hall. Information.

  • Monday, Sept. 24--Campus Sexual Assualt Summit at WMU. Information.

  • Wednesday, Sept. 26--Secretary of State Mobile Unit on campus--register to vote or conduct other SOS business, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the flagpoles in the center of main campus.

  • Thursday, Oct. 4 to Sun. Oct. 7--Homecoming Weekend. Information.

  • Monday, Oct. 8--Voters Not Politicians: Gerrymandering in Michigan--info session, 6 p.m., WMU Fetzer Center. Event Flyer.
Statewide ballot proposals 2018
Michigan voters will determine the outcome of three proposals certified for the Nov. 6 general election ballot. Click on the information link after each proposal to access nonpartisan summary and analysis conducted by Ballotpedia.

Proposal 1--Recreational Marijuana
Proposal to authorize the personal possession and use of marijuana by individuals aged 21 years and older and control the commercial production and distribution of marijuana. Information .

Proposal 2--Legislative Redistricting
Proposed constitutional amendment to create a new commission tasked with redrawing legislative district boundaries every 10 years. The group wants to have independent public oversight over the redistricting process through a 13-member commission. Information .

Proposal 3--Voting Policies in State Constitution Initiative
Proposed constitutional amendment to implement Election Day voter registration, permanently reinstate straight-ticket voting, and allow no-reason absentee ballots. Information .
WeVote at WMU
A get-out-the-vote campaign led by students is underway on the WMU campus. Students have come together in a nonpartisan effort to help fellow students register to vote in time to participate in the November 6 election. Registration efforts are underway in the residence halls, the Bernhard Center, and other places on campus. Kudos to our students for taking on this important leadership role!

For information about WeVote send an email HERE .
Dollars and sense camp educated youth about money management
Area youth learned about budgeting, saving, and investing in a Dollars & Sense Summer Camp hosted by the Haworth College of Business. 

Dr. Jim P. DeMello , WMU professor and chair of the Department of Finance and Commercial Law and co-director of the Sanford Center for Financial Planning and Wellness, led the 2018 five-day camp open to students who have completed grades 7 through 12. The camp meets in the college's Greenleaf Trust Trading Room that is equipped with software and tools that finance professionals use every day to provide students with a glimpse into Wall Street without leaving Kalamazoo. 

DeMello recommends that students be introduced to financial matters in fun and interactive ways beginning in the third or fourth grade, but definitely in middle school. “The best topics to approach first are budgeting, saving and the compounding value of investments,” he said.

Read more in the Macomb Daily .
WMU alumnus to direct external engagement for college access network
Dr. Christopher Tremblay , former WMU associate provost for enrollment management and two-time alumnus of the School of Communication, recently joined the Michigan College Access Network as director of external engagement.

As the leader in the state’s college access movement, MCAN’s mission is to increase Michigan’s college readiness, participation and completion rates, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college going students, and students of color. Tremblay’s focus will be to maintain and grow college access partnerships across the state.

Don’t be surprised if you see him on WMU’s campus--Tremblay is also an adjunct instructor for the School of Communication and the Lee Honors College. This semester he is teaching an online section of COM 3350: Leadership Communication. Read more.
Promoting higher education focus of new MASU campaign
The Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU), of which WMU is a member, recently launched a statewide marketing campaign aimed at increasing enrollment in higher education.

The campaign has as its first goal helping families fill out the federal FAFSA form for eligibility for student financial aid. This is the first time this organization has taken on a marketing campaign like this.

Visit getmidegree.org to learn about the first phase of this effort.
Click to view the campaign's
Make the Difference video spot.
Eager for ice
Bronco Hockey players have been hanging out at Lawson Arena with Buster Bronco waiting for ice-- Video.

The team will face off against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns at the 2018-19 season home opener Saturday, Oct. 6 in Lawson Arena.

WMU has 16 varsity-level athletic teams. Learn more and view schedules and rosters on the WMU Athletics website .
GO BRONCOS!