Western Michigan University has decided to open a recruiting office in Royal Oak and plans to start offering "new academic programming" in the Detroit area as well.

The Kalamazoo-based school says southeastern Michigan now supplies 37 percent of its students and says the Royal Oak office gives it a presence in the heart of the region.

The university says its three-year lease starts Jan. 1.

New academic offerings in the Detroit area would be through Western Michigan's Extended University Programs.

Vice Provost Keith Hearit says Western Michigan has started talks with Oakland Community College for a partnership that could lead to students starting their bachelor's degree work at Oakland.