Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We are located at 50 West Jackson Street in the heart of Downtown Battle Creek.

When classes are in session, our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8a.m. to 6:30p.m.,
During semester breaks, our office hours are 8a.m. to 5p.m. five days a week.

The Battle Creek Campus offers several different courses leading to bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as certificate and non-degree programs.

Each program at the Battle Creek Campus has an assigned advisor that regularly meets with students here in our offices.  These meetings are available by appointment and can be scheduled by calling our office for available dates and times.  In cases where in-person meetings cannot be arranged, a telephone conference is usually a possibility.

The computer lab is usually available for student use from 8a.m. to 9p.m., Monday through Friday.  Circumstances that might alter these hours would include daytime room rentals and scheduled classes.  The computer lab is occasionally available for weekend use when other classes are in session and the student has made arrangements several days in advance.  Students who use the facilities on the weekend should be prepared to show a picture ID to building security if asked.

The Battle Creek Campus is located in a very safe environment and has several additional security features to ensure the safety of our students.  Parking is available immediately adjacent to the building in a well-lit lot.  After business hours, our building is staffed with security personnel.

Occasionally, students may need to use equipment for classroom presentations, such as laptop computers or LCD projectors.  Only a student’s professor can request equipment use for the class or an individual student.  Items that are available for use include laptop computers, LCD projectors, VCRs and DVD Players, CD and Tape Players, flipcharts and overhead projectors.

Course cancellations due to inclement weather are rare.  University policy dictates that if the main campus in Kalamazoo is closed, then we must close, regardless of the weather here in Battle Creek.  However, occasionally the weather in Battle Creek will necessitate a weather closure.  For weekday classes, the closure notice will be posted on our web site at www.bc.wmich.edu and a message will be placed on our voicemail system.  We may also send an email notice to those students who have given us their information in advance.  For weekend courses, a notice will be placed on the voicemail system 2 hours prior to the start of the class.  Obviously, students should use their best judgment about whether conditions are safe for them to travel, regardless of the critical campus decision.

Your instructor will usually provide you with a means of contacting him or her, either by telephone or voicemail.  If you do not have access to that information or cannot reach him or her, you may leave a message for the instructor at our office and we will deliver that message at the earliest opportunity.

Textbooks for classes at the Battle Creek Campus are available by mail from the WMU Bookstore in Kalamazoo.  Information regarding the required textbooks for each course is available at the Bookstore and at the Branch Campus. You will need to identify your course by department, course number, call number, title, and name of the instructor.

You can pay for your textbooks with VISA, MasterCard, or Discover and easily order your books by telephone. Call (800) 922-6794 or (269) 387-3930, or fax your order to (269) 387-3941. Textbooks will be delivered by UPS to your address. (Allow 5-7 days for delivery.  Allow more time for delivery to a post office box. Overnight delivery is not available.)

The WMU Bookstore is located just inside the west entrance of the Bernhard Student Center on West Michigan Avenue. Some limited parking is available near the store. All Continuing Education textbooks are stored in a separate area of the Bookstore. Just ask for directions and assistance at the Book Information Desk at the center of the store. The Bookstore hours are generally Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with some additional evening and Saturday hours during the first week of classes each semester and session.

In some instances, textbook prices are not yet available when you call. Charge orders may be placed without prices. A receipt will be sent with the book.  The Regional Center will be notified of prices as soon as they are known, and the price list is available at the Main Information Desk.  You can also call the Battle Creek Campus for more information. Prices are subject to change.

In addition to textbooks, you may be required to purchase a course pack (duplicated materials specially developed by your instructor). Course packs are available from our exclusive vendor, DollarBill. To order:

Call toll free 1-877-738-9200 to place an order using your VISA or MasterCard.

Order on-line at www.dollarbillcopying.com using your VISA or MasterCard.

Order by mail by printing off the PDF form on the above web site. VISA, MasterCard, money order, or personal check is accepted.

The course pack will be sent directly to you with an expected 2-3 day arrival time. Course packs can not be returned for refunds if you drop the class.

The Battle Creek Campus offers our classroom space for daily rentals.  For details on our facilities and rental procedures, please view our facilities page  on our web site’s home page.