Important Policies, Procedures and Information
For First Year Writing Instructors
General Information
Bronco ID: This is your WMU identification card. It allows you entrance to computer labs, library
privileges, etc. Go to: Bernhard Center, 2nd floor, North Ballroom from Aug 30th – Sept 10th (hours vary;
check the online schedule). To learn more go to: http://www.wmich.edu/registrar/onestop/
How to get a net ID to use “goWMU”: You will need a user name and password to access goWMU.
For more information, go to WMU’s homepage at www.wmich.edu. Click on “Computing Services.” Next,
click on “New students/parents.” This will lead you to information regarding your net ID and the
computing services Western offers.
Library: With your Bronco ID, you can check books out of Waldo library (or any of its branch libraries
on campus). You can also order books through interlibrary loan. You are able to keep Waldo books for
the entire semester. Interlibrary loan books are yours for 2-4 weeks.
Bookstore: To purchase books for the classes you are taking, you can go to the “big” bookstore, located
in the Bernhard Center. There is also a “small” bookstore next to the round-about on Kalamazoo Ave.
You can also buy (most) books from Amazon or other online sources. Should you use either campus
bookstore, be sure to bring your TA letter - you’ll get a discount!
Registering for your own classes as a graduate student: Dr. Todd Kuchta is the current Graduate
Director. He advises students enrolled in English graduate programs and courses. Please see his advising
hours schedule, posted in the 6th floor office. Or, you may email him at english-graduate@wmich.edu.
Instructor “Perks”
Parking pass: You will receive a hang-tag or sticker that allows you to park in any “R” (faculty) lot on
campus. To receive this parking pass, you must bring your Bronco ID and TA appointment letter to the
Bronco One-Stop or Parking Services building.
Parking tickets: We all seem to get one sooner or later…To pay your ticket fee or take care of any
parking needs, go to Parking Services. It is located behind the “small” bookstore, just off the round-about,
1 block east of Howard St. and W. Michigan Ave. intersection. Hours of operation are 7:30am – 5:00pm
Monday through Friday. Telephone number is (269) 387-4609. Email is parking@wmich.edu.
Kalamazoo Metro Bus: With your Bronco ID, you can ride any the city bus system for free.
Photocopying: [This policy is currently changing. You will be notified of the new copying policy as soon
as it becomes available]. Copies will be made by English department office staff if you provide the material
24 hours in advance. You may use the copy machine to print classroom materials, if needed. To do so,
you will be given a number to use with our two marvelous copiers. At the beginning of the semester, you
must collect a $5.00 copy fee card from each of your students (these cards are located in the front of the
WMU Handbook). Once you have collected these cards, please put them in Bethlynn Sanders’ mailbox. If
you have any copying issues, questions, or concerns, contact Bethlynn. Her office is 617 Sprau, phone:
387-2573, email: bethlynn.sanders@wmich.edu.
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Policies for Instructors
Grades: You are responsible for posting your grades. For questions regarding deadlines and
procedures, see www.wmich.edu/registrar.
Payroll: Checks will arrive in your departmental mailbox by 11:00 a.m. on payday. Direct deposit is
available; you will need to complete the “Authorization for Net Pay Deposit” form and submit this form to
Bethlynn. Additional questions regarding payroll may be directed to Bethlynn. You can also find more
information on payroll/pay schedules by checking the Human Resources webpage: www.wmich.edu/hr/.
Your office:
 You will be assigned an office in Sprau Tower, which you will share with other English department
faculty members.
 Keys to your office will be provided to you by Bethlynn (617 Sprau). One key opens your office and
the 6th floor copy/mail room. The second key opens the front door of Sprau. Failure to turn in keys at
the end of the last semester you are teaching can result in (a) a fine, (b) notification to WMU’s public
safety to locate you and remove the keys from your possession.
 The university requires instructors of record to hold office hours. Please post your office hours on
your door and put them on your syllabus.
Instructor Absences: You must contact your class in the event you are absent for class. You may do so
by using the wmich email accounts of your students. You must also notify Dr. Kuchta and Dr. Utz. (1050
instructors notify Dr. Perryman-Clark; 1000 instructor notify Erinn Bentley). Also, please call English
department front office staff at 387-2572 or 387-2573, or 387-2574. PLEASE speak to a real, live person;
do NOT leave a message!
Scheduled absences require you to complete the “Absence from Class” form (located next to Dr. Utz’s
office). Please turn this form into Dr. Utz.
TA Appointment Letter/Stipend: Any questions you have regarding your appointment letter and/or
stipend may be directed to the English Department Office Coordinator, Laura Decker. Her office is 618
Sprau, phone: 387-2570, email: laura.j.decker@wmich.edu.
Student Records Privacy: FERPA, the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, is a federal
law which protects the privacy of student records. The FERPA brochure is available online at:
http://www.wmich.edu/registrar/pdf/FERBA%20Brochure.pdf.
 Do not post grades by social security number or WIN number.
 Do not reveal student grades to parents or other students.
 Homework, quizzes, tests, etc. cannot be left in a public place for students to pick up.
 If you have any questions on whether or not to release student information, call the Registrar’s Office
at 387-4300.
WMU First Year Writing Leadership
First Year Writing Program Director: Dr. Staci Perryman-Clark
Assistant Director & English 1050 Mentoring Assistant: Jax Lee Gardner
Technology Assistant: Amy Newday
English 1000 Director: Erinn Bentley
English 1000 Assistant Director & Lead Teacher: Bonnie McLean
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