Student Life on Campus

Western is a welcoming university, where you will be supported to get involved. You will quickly feel part of the community here where you can try new things and develop new interests, meet new people, and continue to explore things you love.

Student Services

The Associated Students is a student-led organization at Western, located in the Viking Union. The Associated Students aim is to provide services, facilities, and programs to the entire Western community, with a focus on giving students exciting experiences and networking opportunities.

Join a Club

Everyone is encouraged to get involved in the student community on campus. There are over 200 student-led clubs, including sports, music, art, language, social services, and much more. You are sure to easily find a group of people with similar interests, but if you can't find the club you are looking for, then you can think about starting your own club. There are also 30 intramural sports on campus, a debate team, comedy troupe, and many more academic and professional societies.

Outdoor Center

The Outdoor Center provides exciting excursions so you can explore the stunning local landscape in a safe way, and learn more about the northwest lifestyle. Participating in the excursions is a great way to try something new, make friends, and learn new skills. Weekly outings include yoga, hiking, biking, and kayaking, and the center offers weekend long excursions for whitewater rafting or mountaineering.

Underground Coffeehouse

Located on the third floor of the Viking Union, the Underground Coffeehouse is a great place to relax and have some coffee on campus. There are regular free events for students, including trivia, karaoke, open mic night, concert series, and much more. You can sign up to get involved in the events, or sit back in comfy couches to enjoy the show.

Green Campus

Western is one of the first environmental colleges in America, and students here take pride in the community commitment to sustainability. Each year, students vote to continue the 100% renewable energy program on campus. The University Dining Services even has a zero-waste initiative. You will love living on a green campus, surrounded by fresh air and great scenery. The Associated Students also oversee the on-campus Recycle Center and Lakewood, a 4,000-square-foot log facility for student events on Lake Whatcom.

Join our Global Champions program today!

By becoming a Global Champion, you will join a network of international students studying at International Study Centers/Colleges around the world.

With regular training sessions, catch-ups and creative activities to get involved in, the role is perfect for those of you interested in sharing your experience with others, developing your professional skills and boosting your resume.

It’s an exciting program to be a part of, with a variety of tasks and activities to get involved in from blog writing, social media takeovers, attending events and taking part in focus groups. Please contact us if you’d like more information or apply for the role here.

Student Resources

Part of living and studying in a supportive environment is having access to the resources that will help you with your studies, and help you grow as a capable and confident individual.

Technology

The entirety of Western's campus offers Wi-Fi access, so you can easily work anywhere on campus, from your housing to Viking Union and Red Square to the Student Recreation Center. If you don't have your own computer, you can rent laptops from many locations on campus, or use one of the 2,000 lab computers available with the latest software. If you need other technology, visit the Classroom Services loan desk for renting additional equipment including cameras, projectors, microphones, and lighting equipment.

If you need technology support or production support, you can visit the Student Technology Center in Haggard Hall. Specialists will help you with software, or you can use the 3D color and poster printing, video production, editing and conversion tools. The Tech Center hosts regular workshops so you can develop your skills, which will be useful during your degree and great for your career development.

Counseling, Health, and Wellness Services

The Counseling, Health, and Wellness Services at Western are dedicated to promoting a healthy balance between emotional and physical health and achieving a balanced lifestyle. There are many services available to all students from academic support to physical wellbeing.

Visit the Counseling Center for a variety of resources to support your academic progress and personal development. If you need to see a nurse or physician, you can visit the Health Center on campus, providing a range of care. The Prevention and Wellness Services offers professional and peer-led programs that focus in improving your health and a healthy community.