wwu campus visit

Admissions Office launches virtual tour of campus

Western Today staff

November 8, 2012

The Office of Admissions at Western Washington University has launched a virtual tour of campus for prospective students and others who want to experience Western's beautiful campus remotely.

The site features a full walking tour of the WWU campus, with student tour guides presenting recorded speeches at each stop. Viewers may listen to the guides or read their speeches in English or Spanish.

Many of the stops also include 360-degree views of classrooms, student residences or other areas of interest.

"We know students love Western's amazing campus, and we're really excited to give prospective students this preview so they are even more eager to visit us in person," said Eric Nissen, assistant director of the Admissions Office.

In addition to the Web, the tour works on mobile devices and soon will be integrated with the Admissions Office's Facebook page. Admissions staff will soon begin informing prospective students of this new way to "visit" campus via email and social media messages.

Admissions staff and Student Admissions Representatives, who have been working on the project for several months, will continue to upgrade the tour with new photos and videos as opportunity arises.

Experience Western Washington University

Virtually explore Western Washington University in a fully immersive 360-degree experience.

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Campus Tour

Campus Tours

Join the StARs, WWU's student tour guides, on a one-hour group tour of Western's beautiful campus for Fall Family Weekend. They will give you the inside scoop on everything Western and answer your questions as you explore. No registration required.

The 9:30am tours meet and leave from Flag Plaza.

The 11am tours meet and leave from Red Square. 

Jump to navigation

Sign Up For a Group Visit!

Our Group Visit Program is designed to provide groups of 15–45 students in 9th grade and higher with a deeper understanding of student life and academic opportunities at Western Washington University. Most group visits include a 45 to 60-minute campus tour with our student tour guides, a 30-minute information session with an admissions counselor, and lunch in the dining hall or on your own. Requests to meet with academic departments or student services will be dependent upon availability. Please use the calendar below to select your preferred visit date. If you require a later arrival time, please email [email protected] before signing up.

Group Visit Policies

Group Visit requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance. Unfortunately, we may be unable to guarantee requests submitted outside of this time requirement. We are typically unable to schedule visits on weekends, as well as Fridays or major holidays. Please make sure you read through our  Group Visit Policies  to ensure your experience on campus is positive for everyone.

High School, College, or Community Group Visit Registration

Department of Music

Visit Music

Welcome to the Music Department at Western Washington University!

We are thrilled to welcome you to our beautiful campus and invite you to witness our program in action throughout the academic year. Intersession and summer visits are limited and not guaranteed. 

Please take a moment to explore the information below, and feel free to  contact us with any questions .

On this page

Navigate to items on this page.

• Schedule A Visit
• Visit Options

Campus Tours

Directions and accommodations, explore music, explore wwu, how to schedule a visit.

• Submit the Music Department Visit Form .
• Confirm your tentative schedule via email.
• Come to campus!

We will contact you via email with a personalized schedule based on your interests and program availability. Please allow a minimum of five business days for an initial response.

We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant community and sharing our passion for music with you!

Can't make it to campus?

We are happy to set up virtual meetings with available faculty and staff. Contact us to inquire about scheduling.  We encourage you to also check out the virtual campus tour options included below! Our department is working on a virtual tour of our building for those who cannot attend.

Visit Experience

Past visits have included a tour of the Performing Arts Center (PA/PAC), meeting with area faculty, meeting with the undergraduate advisor, sample lesson, advising participation or observation of ensembles, and observations of core music classes, music education classes, composition masterclass, and music history classes.

Visit opportunities are subject to rehearsal, testing, and faculty schedules, and while we cannot guarantee access to all activities, we will do our best to accommodate your interests.

Campus Visit Days

On campus-wide admissions visit days (Junior Days, Viking Admitted Days, etc.) individual music visits may not be possible, and group opportunities will be provided. Please follow the "How to Schedule a Visit" process and we will follow up with opportunities on your visit day. 

The best way to find out if Western is the best fit for you is to visit! WWU offers many ways to learn more about our academics and community – both in-person and online.

For more information please visit the WWU Admissions Office Visit page.

In-Person Options

Take a tour of Western's beautiful campus! 60 or 90-minute walking tour on most weekdays and some Saturdays. Campus tours begin on South Campus near the Rec center and end on the Performing Arts Center Plaza.

Keep in mind that the music department cannot usually accommodate a weekend visit.

Explore the campus tour options!

Self-Guided Tours

Self-guided tours are a great way to explore campus when tours are not available or are the experience you are looking for. 

Explore the self-guided tour page for more information and recommendations.

Virtual Tours

Virtual tours are another great option to explore campus! The Admissions Office has put together a list of virtual options for you to explore. These include, virtual hosted or self-guided campus tours, virtual residence tours, transfer information sessions, and many YouTube videos to explore. 

Explore the virtual tour options.

We encourage all visitors to explore the Admissions Office Visit Us page!  This page contains essential information regarding directors, parking, accommodations, transportation, and things to do on campus!

The Performing Arts Center (PA) is located on North Campus across the plaza from the Viking Union, Multicultural Center, and Bookstore. Look for the big red statue, for Handel . Visit the  CFPA Getting Here page  for more information. 

Parking Options

Parking is available for purchase in the 6V and C lots. Visitors may park in the Visitors may pay via mobile app or via debit and credit cards at pay stations. We recommend downloading the  Parkmoblie.io  or the  ParkMobile app  to pay online since you can add to your time via the app throughout the day! 

• Weekends and After 4:30 pm M-F : Visitors may park for free in C, 12A, and 27R. Additional paid parking is available in 6V, 7G, 9G, 11G, 17G, and 19G.

Explore the CFPA Getting Here page and the visitor's parking page for more information.

Visitors may park for free in C, 12A, and 27R. Additional paid parking is available in 6V, 7G, 9G, 11G, 17G, and 19G.

This section is designed to help you find additional information and resources to guide you in your next steps.

We encourage you to browse through our links and resources to discover all that our music program has to offer and we are here to answer any questions!

Explore events during your visit!

• Music Concerts and Events
• Theatre Performances
• Dance Performances
• Art Gallery Shows
• Music Auditions
• Concert Bands
• Viking Ped Band
• Jazz and Vocal Jazz
• Small Ensembles and Chamber Music

Music Degree Programs

• Prospective Music Students

Voice and Opera

• WWU Voice Opera page
• Opera Production Auditions

Start exploring campus resources! Below we have included resources that previous visitors found helpful!

We encourage you to also  visit the Viking Resources Hub and Resource Directory for more important resources and information.

Housing and Dining

• Housing - Future Student Information
• Housing - Parents and Family Information
• Explore the Dorms
• Housing and dining Options
• Dining on campus

Academics and Advising

• Academic Advising & Student Achievement Center
• Honors Program
• Study Abroad
• Disability Access Center

*Specializes in advising first-generation, multicultural, undocumented, and non-traditional students.

Campus Life & Health and Wellness

• Counseling and Wellness Center
• Ethnic Student Center
• Gender Neutral Restrooms
• LGBTQ+ at WWU
• Multicultural Center
• New Student Services
• Veterans Services

Questions or Concerns?

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Department of Music Performing Arts Center 273 Mailstop 9107 516 High Street Bellingham, WA, 98225 (360) 650-3130 [email protected]

• Concerts and Events
• Prospective Students
• Current Music Students
• Voice & Opera
• Music Faculty

Looking for more information?

If you have any questions, we're happy to find you an answer. Call the Music Department Office 360-650-3130 , or view the directory of faculty and staff.

School and Community Group Visits

Our Group Visit Program is designed to provide groups of 15–45 students in 9th grade and higher with a deeper understanding of the academic opportunities at Western Washington University. We welcome you to explore campus!

Who Should Attend a Group Visit

• All high school students
• Transfer students
• Compass 2 Campus partnered school groups

Groups are limited to 45 students per visit. In addition, groups that have fewer than 15 participants are asked to attend our regular Campus Tours (offered most weekdays and select Saturdays) or other visit programs that are currently offered.

Student Groups - Middle School and Younger

Student groups younger than 9th grade are encouraged to take advantage of our self-guided campus visit options.

To request self-guided visit materials, such as our Self-Guided Tour Booklet or "What Kind of Smart Are You?" Worksheet, please email  [email protected]  at least two weeks in advance.

*Please note that we cannot offer discounted meal tickets/lunch for student groups younger than 9th grade, but with advanced notice we can try to arrange space on campus where your group can eat lunch.

How to Sign Up

Group Visit requests must be submitted at least three weeks in advance.

Unfortunately, we may be unable to guarantee requests submitted outside this time requirement. We are typically unable to schedule visits on weekends, as well as Fridays or major holidays. However, if your group can only visit on one of these dates, we will do our best to work with you. Contacting us in advance will help us make this accommodation more likely.

Group Visit Policies

We are delighted that you have chosen to learn more about Western! To ensure your group has the best possible visit experience, please read through the policies below:

• Group visits are available for high school students , transfer students, and/or Compass 2 Campus partnered school groups.
• Spring quarter group visits are reserved for high school and transfer student groups only.
• Groups are limited to 45 individuals per visit. We ask groups of 10-15 or less to register for a daily campus tour visit.
• Visits are contingent upon availability of Student Admissions Representatives, Admissions staff, and/or campus facilities (classrooms, meeting spaces, etc.).
• At least one chaperone per 15 students is required. Chaperones are responsible for the behavior and safety of the students during the visit and must always stay with the group. Tour guides are not responsible for maintaining order or issuing discipline and reserve the right to end a tour at any point due to inappropriate behavior.
• Please make every effort possible to arrive early for your visit. If you are more than 20 minutes late, we may be unable to offer all the items on your agenda. When a group arrives late, it is always at the expense of the tour.
• Our tour guides are all current WWU students and will only be available for the scheduled time.
• Please notify [email protected] of any changes to your visit , including the number of attendees, times of departure, or if you are cancelling at least 48 hours in advance.
• Please remind students to be polite and considerate to the tour guides and presenters. Advise students to turn off cell phones and other electronic devices during the presentation(s) and campus tour.
• While your group is on campus, classes and meetings are being held. Please remind your group to be quiet when inside buildings and treat our campus and community respectfully.
• Tours will run rain or shine! This is an outside walking tour; attendees should wear appropriate footwear and outerwear and bring reusable water bottles to campus, as Western does not sell bottled water.
• Come prepared with questions about WWU and have fun!

Directions and Parking

To drop off.

From Interstate 5, take Exit #252 (Samish Way and WWU). Turn west at the first light off the ramp onto N. Samish Way. At the second light, turn left onto Bill McDonald Pkwy/Byron Ave. There will be a Wendy’s on your right and a 76 Station on your left. Drive on Bill McDonald Pkwy until you reach Buchanan Towers on your right-hand side. Turn right onto South College Drive (no light or sign). At the second stop sign, turn left onto West College Way and then left onto Bill McDonald Pkwy at the light. There is a bus stop on the right-hand side. Pull up there to unload.

Continue down Bill McDonald Pkwy and follow the way you came, down to Samish Way. Take a right onto Samish Way, getting into the left lane. Crossing over the bridge, you will now be in the middle lane and take the left onto Lincoln Street staying in the right-hand lane. The Lincoln Street Park and Ride will be on your right and you can park the bus anywhere in there.

Campus Maps

WWU Interactive Web Map

The WWU Campus Map  includes a list of spatial data layers that can be turned on / off as desired (using the “ Layer List ” icon). Many of these layers are 'group' layers, that can be 'expanded' to list the individual sub-layers.

The main map layers are:

• Accessibility (parking, routes, doors, etc. - building  accessibility information is included in the building's pop-up)
• Art (Galleries, Sculptures and the Sculpture Tour)
• Bicycle Info  (Bike racks, Walk Zones, recommend bicycle routes thru campus, and City of Bellingham bicycle routes)
• Bus Info  (WTA bus routes and stops that are close to WWU)
• Computer Labs (ATUS and ResTek)
• Family Amenities (Changing and Lactation rooms)
• Food (Retail and Residential)
• Gender Neutral Restrooms
• Parking (Visitor Parking, Evening / Weekend Parking, Permit Parking, Summer Permit Parking, and Misc. (pay stations, motorcycle parking, loading zones, etc.)
• Safety (Emergency Phones, AED locations, Major Disaster Assembly Areas and  Priority Snow Removal Routes
• Sustainable Features & Buildings
• Notable Trees on campus
• Construction (current projects)

A Legend for each layer can be viewed from the  Legend icon .

In addition to the data layers, the WWU Campus Map includes spatial “ Bookmarks ” (zoom to a specific building, parking lot or key place on campus), a Search function (search by building, department, institute, etc.), and a Show Current  Location icon (for mobile devices).

Many features on the map (buildings, parking lots, etc.) have a popup that can be opened by clicking on the feature. Popups contain additional information about the feature.

See notes on using URL Parameters or  Voice Commands with the Campus Map below.

The WWU Campus Map(s) are maintained by the Spatial Institute at the College of the Environment , WWU.

For questions or comments on the WWU Campus Map contact [email protected] .

WWU Static / Printable Maps (PDF* files)

• General Campus Map
• Visitor Parking (daytime)
• Evening & Weekend Visitor Parking (after hours)
• Permit Parking
• Residence Facilities & Parking
• Residence Halls & Dining
• Art on Campus
• WWU's Sculpture Tour
• Bikes  (Micromobility) (also  poster-size )
• Priority Snow Removal Routes (11x17)
• Artistic ' Bird's-Eye View '
• WWU Air Photo (2013) (11x17)
• WWU Vegetation (11x17)
• Bellingham-WWU (32x44)

Driving Directions

From Interstate 5, take Exit #252 (Samish Way and WWU). Turn west onto Samish Way and follow the signs for Bill McDonald Parkway and the University Campus.

Visit Parking Services , call (360) 650-2945 or stop at the Campus Services Building near the corner of Bill McDonald Parkway and 21st Street.

• Online Parking map
• Printable Visitor Parking map
• Printable Evenings & Weekends Parking map
• Printable Permit Parking map
• Printable Residence Parking map

The Static maps listed above are ' geo-PDF ' files. As such they can be downloaded and used in a GPS-enabled cell phone for on-campus (and optionally off-line) navigation using a geo-pdf app such as Avenza Maps:

• Download & install the Avenza Maps app
• Download a Static map (from the above list)
• Open the .pdf file, from your phone or tablet, using the Avenza Maps app

URL Parameters

URL Parameters can be used with the WWU Campus Map to control the location of the map when it opens as well as the layers that are visible.

For zooming to a specific building, parking lot or key feature the URL parameter is #find= For example: 

• https://map.wwu.edu/ #find=AH  

This will zoom the map to the AH building (Arntzen Hall). Other examples include:

• https://map.wwu.edu/ #find=9G (for Parking Lot 9-G)
• https://map.wwu.edu/ #find=Red (for Red Square)

For turning specific data layers on, the URL parameter is #layers= For example:

• https://map.wwu.edu/ #layers=computer (to turn on the computer labs layer).

Multiple layers can be turned on at once by using a  / between parameters:

• https://map.wwu.edu/ #layers=food/art

The location and layer parameters can be used in conjunction with the &

• https://map.wwu.edu/ #find=OM&layers=bike

Below is the list of map layers that are available:

• Accessibility
• Family  (lactation and changing rooms)
• GNRR  (Gender Neutral Restrooms)
• Parking  (visitor)
• Visitor  (parking)
• Evening  (parking)
• Permit  (parking)
• Summer (parking)
• Snow  (priority snow removal routes)
• Sustainability
• AirPhoto (for the basemap)

Voice Commands

The Campus Map includes a limited set of map-specific Voice Commands that can be used to navigate the map and the user interface.

Questions or feedback on this page or any of these maps can be directed to the Spatial Institute .