| |
The University of Michigan–Flint (U of M-Flint, UM-Flint, or UMF) is a selective public institution located in Flint, Michigan, United States. It is one of three campuses in the University of Michigan system.
history of the University of Michigan-Flint began in 1944, when the Flint Board of Education requested University of Michigan to open their Extension Office in Flint. Then the key area citizens already planning the cultural center, were interested in the idea of higher education in the community.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'University of Michigan-Flint' Start a new discussion about 'University of Michigan-Flint' Answer questions from other users |
Encyclopedia
The University of Michigan–Flint (U of M-Flint, UM-Flint, or UMF) is a selective public institution located in Flint, Michigan, United States. It is one of three campuses in the University of Michigan system.
History
The history of the University of Michigan-Flint began in 1944, when the Flint Board of Education requested University of Michigan to open their Extension Office in Flint. Then the key area citizens already planning the cultural center, were interested in the idea of higher education in the community. Three years later, the Regents of the University funded a study exploring the possibilities for higher education in Flint.
The community responded enthusiastically to the study, which called for the establishment of a four-year liberal arts college in Flint comparable to the College of Literature, Science and the Arts on the Ann Arbor campus.
The city assisted the university by supplying buildings and land. Local philanthropist Charles Stewart Mott donated money to build a classroom and office building, and the Sponsors Fund of Flint donated funds for operating expenses.
Cooperation between the community and the University of Michigan brought about the opening of a two-year senior college (located on the land now occupied by Mott Community College) in 1956, which offered baccalaureate degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and in the professional fields of education and business administration. Approximately 167 junior students enrolled the first semester.
As time passed, there was a call for major changes in the college. The Flint Board of Education proposed that the University of Michigan expand the senior college to a four-year institution. The Board of Regents adopted the proposal in 1964. The first freshman class was admitted the next year making the Flint College the first four-year University of Michigan program offered outside of Ann Arbor.
In 1970, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredited the Flint College. In 1971, the Regents officially changed the name of the institution to the University of Michigan-Flint. That same year, University of Michigan President Robben Fleming appointed the first Chancellor of the University of Michigan-Flint, William E. Moran.
Chancellor Moran commissioned an Academic Planning Board to develop a master plan for the university. Responding to the needs of the community, the Board identified major areas of program development for the University, including professional and career-oriented programs. Subsequent chancellors continued planning for the future growth of the university.
These plans led to the establishment of graduate degrees, new academic units, service units, WFUM-TV, and the expansion of the campus into downtown Flint. Through the combined efforts of Flint citizens and city government, the university acquired 42 acres along the Flint River in 1971. The campus occupied its first building in 1977. The general classroom-office building (named the David M. French Hall in 2000) housed a theatre and library. The University Center opened in 1979 and the Recreation Building opened in 1982. Funds for the buildings were derived entirely from substantial private gifts from the community and a limited amount of borrowing to be repaid from future student fee revenues.
As a result of continued growth and strong support from community and state officials, the university has undertaken several major construction projects. In 1988, a student parking area opened and the William R. Murchie Science Building was dedicated.
The University of Michigan-Flint took possession of the University Pavilion (formerly Waterstreet Pavilion) from the city in 1991. Many administrative and student services offices moved from locations in French Hall and the University Center, to the upper level of the Pavilion; the University Bookstore relocated to the lower level. As a result of generous donations, the Frances Willson Thompson Library opened in 1994.
In 1997, the campus acquired an additional 25 acres immediately north of the Flint River, where the William S. White Building was completed in 2002. A grant from the Mott Foundation provided the University with funds to assist with the construction and programming of new facilities on the north site. The White Building houses the School of Management, the School of Health Professions and Studies, the Early Childhood development Center, the Urban Health and Wellness Center, WFUM-TV, Art, and Communications.
The campus community broke ground for the first-ever student housing facility in July of 2007. The modern, 310-bed residence hall was completed and fully-occupied by fall 2008. In the fall of 2009, the new Riverfront Residence Hall will open downtown, bringing another 250 beds immediately and eventually, about 550 beds for university students.
Image:UM-Flint entrance.jpg|Harrison Street Entrance to Campus
Image:skywalk.jpg|Skywalks Connect the UM–Flint Campus
Image:frenchhall.jpg|French Hall
Image:UM-Flint_fall.jpg|Frances Willson Thompson Library
Image:wsw.jpg|William S. White Building and the Northbank Center
Image:McKinnon.jpg|McKinnon Plaza
Accreditation
The Flint campus of the University of Michigan is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools . Accreditation has also been awarded to various programs in the university by the Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business - International , the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education , the Council on Accreditation for Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs , the Council on Social Work Education , the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology , and the National Association of Schools of Music The university is currently seeking accreditation from ABET for their new mechanical engineering program.
Rankings
The Princeton Review has included UM-Flint in the "Best in the Midwest" category in their publication 2009 Best Colleges: Region by Region.
The Princeton Review has also included UM-Flint's School of Management in their Best 296 Business Schools: 2009 Edition .
National recognition
The campus is featured in parts of Michael Moore's 1989 debut film Roger & Me.
In 2000, the University of Michigan–Flint campus hosted Vice President and Democratic Presidential nominee Al Gore, along with an outdoor performance by pop-rock group the Goo Goo Dolls.
In 2004, the University of Michigan–Flint campus hosted Democratic Presidential hopeful Howard Dean.
The school has been referenced in cartoonist Jef Mallett's nationally syndicated comic strip, Frazz. Mallett is a Michigan native, having worked for local newspaper the Flint Journal earlier in his career.
In 2007, the University of Michigan–Flint held the first annual outdoor MFuse concert. The headliner for this concert (voted on by school officials and students) was Grammy Award winning artist Common.
The Michigan Times
The Michigan Times is a student-run campus newspaper. In 2008, the Michigan Press Association's "Better College Newspaper Contest" awarded The Michigan Times with nine awards in a statewide competition. The newspaper is printed semimonthly and is available free-of-cost both on the campus and in the surrounding downtown area.
Student government
The University of Michigan-Flint Student Government Council (UMFSGC) represents the voice of students and manages student funds on the campus. The UMFSGC is a member of the state-wide Association of Michigan Universities.
Greek life
The University is home to many different Fraternities and Sororities that make up the campus' greek life. The following organizations have chapters on the campus:
Fraternities
Sororities
Athletics
As of early 2009, UM-Flint does not offer varsity intercollegiate athletics. However, some developments have taken place.
In Spring 2008, the student body voted to adopt the nickname "The Victors" which refers to the University of Michigan's fight song.
A Student Athletic Association current exists due to the creation of a number of sports clubs that compete intercollegiately.
Notable people and alumni
- Deborah Cherry – Member of Michigan Senate.
- John D. Cherry – Lieutenant Governor of Michigan.
- Christopher Paul Curtis – Author and Newbery Medal winner.
- Nick Diener and Garrett Burgett, members of punk rock band The Swellers.
- Gregory Havrilcsak (alumnus and faculty) – Advisory Board and Lead Historian for the Teaching American History Grant Project for the Flint Public Schools.
- LaKisha Jones – American Idol Season 6 contestant.
- Bill Kelly – Local politician.
- Correy Lennox – Writer, Activist, Documentarian. Contributed to Eyes of Desire 2 edited by Raymond Luczak.
- Bryan McCree – Comedian
- Michael Moore – Oscar winner and documentarian.
- Jan Worth-Nelson (faculty) – Writer, known as author of self-published fiction novel Night Blind.
- Dave Robertson – Member of the Michigan House of Representatives.
- Judy Rosenthal (faculty) – Writer, Possession, Ecstasy, and Law in Ewe Vodu
- Bruce A. Rubenstein (faculty) – Writer and historian. His works include: Greed, Rage, and Love Gone Wrong: Murder in Minnesota, Chicago in the World Series 1903–2005: The Cubs and White Sox in Championship Play, Michigan: A History of the Great Lakes State, Three Bullets Sealed His Lips, Payoffs in the Cloakroom: The Greening of the Michigan Legislature, 1938–1946.
- John Sinclair - Poet and Activist
External links
|
