Frequently Asked Questions about Washington Business Week
Q. When is the registration fee due?
A. You may include your $325 fee with your registration form OR you can wait until you have received an acceptance letter and invoice from the Business Week office. A payment plan for the fee can also be arranged by contacting the Registrar at the Business Week office at 800-686-6442.
Q. How do I pay the registration fee?
A. The fee is payable by check, money order or charge/debit card.
Q. Why is Business Week less expensive than other summer programs?
A. The student registration fee of $325 is only 35% of the true cost of Business Week. The actual cost of the program is $950 per student. The remaining $625 is contributed by over 500 local and statewide businesses, individuals and service clubs. It is the Business Week staff and volunteers who contact the businesses for this support, not the student.
Q. Suppose I can't afford the registration fee?
A. 1. Check with your school to see if they can help. 2. Try contacting a local business person or service club for help with your registration fee. Business Week can provide materials to help with this process. 3. Complete the Business Week Financial Assistance Packet and we will contact you about financial assistance. You may also call the Business Week office at 800-686-6442 or e-mail registrar@wbw.org for questions or concerns with the cost.
Q. Can I share a dorm room with my friend?
A. Yes, if you and your friend of the same gender check-in on campus at the same time, you can request to room together. Please note that we DO NOT make rooming arrangements at the Business Week office. Rooms are assigned on campus by the university at time of check in. We strongly encourage rooming with an unfamiliar person, as it is part of the Business Week/college experience. Males and females are housed in different dorms.
Q. Is there a Code of Conduct?
A. Yes. Business Week has a Code of Conduct that each participant and parent/guardian must sign for the student to participate. Violation of the Code of Conduct is grounds to be sent home. Click here to view our Code of Conduct.
Q. What is the supervision at Business Week?
A. Students are in Company meetings, discussion groups, lectures, etc. throughout the day. During free time there are activities planned that the students may take part in. In each dorm (males and females are housed in different dorms) there is a floor supervisor for approximately every 15 to 20 students. The floor supervisors do a bed check every night. Security also patrols the grounds outside the dorms throughout the night.
Q. Can I have visitors while I am attending Business Week?
A. No. Business Week is a very rigorous program. We keep you busy from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. You will have free time during the day, but visitors are not allowed on campus. This is included in our Code of Conduct and is a violation and grounds for being sent home from the Business Week Program.
Q. Can I leave campus while I am at Business Week?
A. No. There are boundaries within the campus that you must abide by. There are some exceptions for local relatives picking you up for dinner, if you have a doctor’s appointment, interview, etc. Any reason for leaving campus requires prior parental approval and confirmation through the on-campus Business Week office. Students will be required to sign in and out through the Business Week office.
Q. How many students attend Business Week?
A. Each week this summer approximately 200 to 250 students will participate in a Business Week Program.
Q. How are the students organized for the week?
A. Each student will be part of a group of 9-12 students called a company. Most of your time will be spent in company meetings as you learn to work as a team. Each company has a business person who has volunteered to be your Company Advisor (mentor).
Q. Who are these Company Advisors and what is their background?
A. The Company Advisors come from a wide variety of businesses and have an even wider array of backgrounds. Many are employees of PEMCO, State Farm, Weyerhaeuser, Boeing, PACCAR, BECU, retail stores or many other businesses. Each Week there are 25-30 Advisors, one for each company.
Q. Where is Business Week held?
A. Business Week is held at Gonzaga University in Spokane (eastern Washington), Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma (western Washington), Central WA University in Ellensburg (central Washington) and Western WA University in Bellingham (northwest Washington). Directions to each campus will be included in the information packet that you will receive approximately three weeks prior to camp.
Q. What time do I need to be at the program on Sunday?
A.Registration will be held on Sunday from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
At registration you will be assigned to a “company” and receive your official Business Week T-shirt and notebook. At this time you will also be assigned a room in the residence hall. Please allow at least twenty minutes to register! You do not need to arrive early. Parents and friends (who are not attending the program) may wait for you nearby and review your student notebook and schedule.
Lunch is available before 12:45 p.m. as a part of the program for those who have registered on time. Parents and guests are welcome to join you; their meal is at their own expense (generally under $10). Your registration fee covers the cost of all your meals.
The Program begins promptly at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Family and friends are welcome to attend the opening assembly. It is extremely important that you be there on time!
Q. When is Business Week over?
A. The Business Week Program starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday morning. On Friday night there is an awards banquet which parents and friends are invited to. There is also a dance from 9:00-11:15 p.m. (Business Week students only). Saturday morning breakfast is provided, yet there are no scheduled activities. Students are to be out of their dorm rooms by 10:00 a.m. Students may leave on Friday night after the banquet with parental permission.
Q. What is the dress code for the Business Week Program?
A. Business Week classes are informal. Most likely the days will be warm and the evenings cooler. Shorts, T-shirts and a sweatshirt are advised. Friday evening graduation banquet is dress-up time -- dresses, sweaters, slacks, sport jackets are in order. Shoes and shirts are absolute musts in dining halls and the gym. It is expected that you dress appropriate for the Business Week Program in ways that will not cause safety or health problems or cause disruption.
Q. Is transportation provided to Business Week?
A. Transportation to Business Week is the participant’s responsibility. Business Week encourages carpooling with other students from your school or area (be aware that those students with a vehicle attending WWU program will have to pay for a weekly parking permit - $22+). Other means of getting to campus include the Greyhound bus or go by plane or train. Business Week host universities offer shuttle service from the local airport, bus station or train depot (except PLU).
Q. What do I need to bring with me to Business Week?
A. Besides your enthusiasm and open-mind, you need to bring the basic essentials for the week. Three weeks prior to your week of attendance, the Business Week office will send you an information packet with details specific to your week. A checklist is also available here.
Q. Are blankets, sheets, etc. supplied?
A. Linens and pillows are supplied to participants attending Gonzaga University, Pacific Lutheran University and Central Washington University. Participants at Western Washington University will need to bring a sleeping bag and pillow or can buy a linen package (~$25) at check-in on campus.
Q. I am a vegetarian, will there be appropriate meals available?
A. Each campus accommodates vegetarians with a wide variety of entree’s available at each meal.
Q. Will there be phones available in the dorm rooms?
A. Dorm rooms are equipped with phone lines. Students must supply their own phone and credit card for long distance, if desired. There are also pay phones available.
Q. Are cell phones allowed at Business Week?
A. Yes, but during program sessions, seminars, and company meetings, cell phones must be turned off.
