The semester, explained for Southwestern Michigan College
Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.
Relevant term
Fall Semester 2026
Campus terms
9
Local details
12
Academic calendar
Fall Semester 2026 runs Sep 8, 2026 – Dec 18, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.
Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.
9 terms
Showing 9 of 9 terms
B
Bird's Eye View
The main dining area located in the Student Activity Center.
C
CAB
Campus Activities Board, responsible for organizing student events.
J
Jerdon Hall
Thomas F. Jerdon Hall, an on-campus residence hall.
M
McKenzie Hall
Keith H. McKenzie Hall, an on-campus residence hall.
P
PTK
Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges.
R
Roadrunners
The official mascot and collective name for SMC students.
S
SGA
Student Government Association, the representative body for students.
W
White Hall
William M. White Hall, one of the three on-campus residence halls.
Z
Zollar Cafe
A secondary dining option located in the Zollar Building.
Places and practicalities
Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.
12 details
Banner
The administrative software system used for student records and financial aid.
Billable Contact Hour
The unit of measurement used to calculate tuition based on instructional time.
Kairis
The Jan and A.C. Kairis Building, used for science and math classes.
Mathews
The Fred L. Mathews Library and Conference Center.
Niles Campus
The college's secondary campus location in Niles, Michigan.
Oronoko
The Oronoko Building, primarily used for nursing and health programs.
SMC Wired
The online student portal for accessing email, grades, and registration.
Testing Center
The facility located in the library for proctored exams and placement tests.
The SAC
The Student Activity Center, housing the gym, dining, and student lounge.
the_birdfeeder
The Birdfeeder
Wood
The Barbara Wood Building, used for arts and sciences.
zollar_caf
Zollar Café
Quick answers
Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.
What academic term is relevant now?
Fall Semester 2026 runs Sep 8, 2026 – Dec 18, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
9 approved campus terms and 12 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.
Class of 2030 · Southwestern Michigan College
You just committed to Southwestern Michigan College.
The four months ahead don’t need to be one giant open tab. Sign up and we’ll only email you when Southwestern Michigan College actually needs you to do something this summer — orientation, housing, course registration, immunization. That’s the whole product.
A competitive club sport team for students interested in bass fishing, competing against teams from other colleges.
Open to all
Chamber Singers
A select vocal ensemble for more experienced singers. The group performs multiple times throughout the semester.
Tryout required
Council of Clubs
The governing body for all officially recognized student clubs and organizations at SMC. The council provides organization, funding, and support for club activities and is composed of student representatives from each club.
Invite only
Esports Team
A competitive team that competes in games like Rocket League and Valorant in the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) and the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC).
Open to all
New Student Orientation
Required orientation sessions for new students to learn about college resources, degree requirements, and register for classes with an academic advisor.
Regular commitment
Roadrunner Ready
A summer program designed to prepare incoming students for the transition to college life at SMC.
Open to all
Resources & spaces
Academic Advising and Resource Center (AARC)
The primary resource for degree planning, class registration, transfer options, and career opportunities. Students work with an academic advisor throughout their time at SMC.
Open to all
Recent Southwestern Michigan College Syllabus Analyses
Browse syllabus breakdowns from Southwestern Michigan College courses
Computer Applications in Medical ImagingEducational Exploration and PlanningEnvironmental ScienceFundamentals of Public SpeakingProcedures and Pathophysiology
DormWay integrates with Southwestern Michigan College's LMS
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Life in Dowagiac for Southwestern Michigan College Students
Everything you need to know about living and studying in Dowagiac.
Timezone
Eastern Time (ET)
Median Rent
$750
Cost of Living Index
88
Student Population
2,500
City Transportation
Walkability
60
Bikeability
45
Public Transit
Cass County public transit demand‑response services
Nearest Airports
Southwest Michigan Regional Airport (regional, Benton Harbor), South Bend International Airport (major, Indiana)
Climate Averages
Climate
Humid continental
Avg Annual Temp
49°F
Avg Snowfall
75 in
Campus Operations Snapshot
Parking and Transit
Housing Parking Lots
surface_lot
Accessible only by secure keycard entry for residents.
General Campus Lots
surface_lot
Free parking available for students and community members.
Campus News
Latest updates from Southwestern Michigan College
SMC Trustees Award Six Employees, Welcome MCCA President to Campus
At its regular monthly meeting, the SMC Board of Trustees awarded six staff members with service pins and welcomed the Michigan Community College Association (MCCA) president.
The Board of Trustees approved a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the faculty union and adopted a $30.7 million general fund budget for the 2027 fiscal year.
Southwestern Michigan College celebrated its 59th Commencement ceremonies in Alumni Plaza, graduating 417 students from various schools including Arts, Science, and Business.
SMC Critical Message: Due to forecast weather conditions, both campuses of Southwestern Michigan College, including the SAC, will close at 5pm on Tues., March 10. Evening classes will operate remotely.
SMC Critical Message: Due to forecast weather conditions, both campuses of Southwestern Michigan College, including the SAC, will close at 5pm on Tues., March 10. Evening classes will operate remotely.
A college fair for prospective students to check out information tables and learn about Southwestern Michigan College.
Fall Open House
October 9, 2026
Student Activity Center, Dowagiac Campus
An opportunity to tour residence halls, speak with professors and staff about academic programs, and learn about admissions, financial aid, and campus life.
Dorms & On-Campus Housing at Southwestern Michigan College
Various dorm and housing options are available for students.
13 known dorm and housing options. Every known option is shown below.