Summary
The University of Michigan–Flint (commonly referred to as UM–Flint), is a public university located in Flint, Michigan in the United States. It is one of three University of Michigan campuses.
History
The thought of establishing a part of the University of Michigan in the city of Flint started in the year 1837 when Sarah Miles wrote a letter to her family stating, “A branch of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor is to be established in Flint at some future day.” In May 1944 the Flint Board of Education requested that the University of Michigan open a satellite campus in Flint. Three years later, the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan funded a study exploring possibilities for higher education in Flint.
In June 1944 Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the G.I. Bill into law. The demand for higher education increased with the return of soldiers after World War II, and was a major factor in the establishment of a branch of the University of Michigan in the city of Flint.[7]
During February 1947 the Regents of the University of Michigan approved a higher education needs assessment for Flint. In 1949, two Social Science professors at Ann Arbor, Arthur E. Lean and Franklin Killian, recommended a liberal arts college for Flint. C.S. Mott then offered $1 million for a four-year college in Flint. Later, in 1951, the Committee of Flint Citizens requested the Regents establish a four-year college in Flint. In January 1955 Governor Williams signed a $37,000 appropriation bill to cover preliminary expenses for the college; the Mott Foundation provided $1.2 million. Harlan Hatcher, Everett Cummings, and C.S. Mott broke ground for UM-Flint shortly thereafter.
After the 1952–1954 debate between the UM-Flint College Committee and the Flint Board of Education as to whether the UM Flint College should be a four-year liberal arts college or a two-year senior college, Hatcher and the Regents accepted the two-year senior college proposal. Later, in February 1956, David M. French was named the first dean of the Flint College of the University of Michigan.[7] C.S. Mott would donate a second gift of $1 million for the construction of a new library during March 1959.
From 1963–1964, studies were commissioned to examine the possibility of turning the Flint College into a four-year institution. Then, from March to July 1965, the Michigan State Board of Education recommended a four-year college in Flint and the phasing out of UM’s involvement. Public outcry and C.S. Mott's threatening to withdraw millions in pledged support resulted in the state approving a four-year University of Michigan campus in Flint. This led to the Flint campus becoming the first campus in the University of Michigan System to be formed outside of the city of Ann Arbor.
Later, in the Spring of 1970, the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools granted accreditation to the Flint College of the University of Michigan. The Regents of the University of Michigan approved the name change to The University of Michigan–Flint in April 1971. During September 1972, sixteen temporary buildings were erected to ease campus overcrowding, pressuring the Regents to move UM-Flint to its current location along the Flint River. In 1979, the original Harrison Street Halo Burger location was vacated to make way for University of Michigan-Flint parking.[8]
During January 1982 UM's physical therapy program moved from Ann Arbor to Flint.[7] Charlie Nelms was named UM-Flint’s fourth chancellor in August 1994.
Later, in October 1994, the Frances Willson Thompson Library opened. President Bill Clinton visited campus on November 1994.[7] The William S. White Building was officially dedicated in 2002.[citation needed]
On September 5, 2002, Halo Burger takes over the former Campus Cafe at University Center.[9]
In April 2005, the campus went through its first intensive major fund-raising drive. The Capital Campaign brought in $40 million in donations.
The University of Michigan–Flint is currently the fastest growing public university in the state of Michigan.[10] Since 2005, international student enrollment has increased over 200 percent, with students hailing from over 37 different countries.
Due to the new student housing and 24-hour food service, Sodexo, that goes along the housing, the University Center Halo Burger cafe closed April 21, 2008.[8]
Residential and student life
In November 2004, the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan approved the request of the Flint Campus to explore the feasibility of student housing. After several assessments, study, and, upon seeing the probable progression of growth of the campus, student housing was approved. On July 16, 2007 the first-ever student dormitory, the First Street Residence Hall, opened for students.[11]
In Fall 2009, a new dormitory opened in the building that was once the Hyatt Regency. This dorm is open to all college students in Flint; University of Michigan–Flint, Mott Community College, Kettering University, and Baker College. The majority of the students living in the dorm, however, attend the University of Michigan–Flint. This dorm, named 'Riverfront Residence,' features many amenities such as a movie theater, full size pool tables, foosball, air hockey, computers, quiet study areas, and hosts many social events. The building has a total of sixteen floors, and offers a variety of private and shared suites.
The Riverfront Banquet Center, located on the first floor, is available for rental by anyone in the community, and in 2011 was the location for the Flint Film Festival and the 100 Years of Chevy celebration.
In January 2012, the University of Michigan–Flint School of Management moved into the newly renovated second floor at Riverfront.
The University is home to many fraternities and sororities. The following Greek organizations have chapters on campus:[12]
Athletics
UM–Flint does not presently offer varsity intercollegiate athletics, but there are a number of intramural sports and sports clubs available to students.
In Spring 2008, the student body voted to adopt the nickname The Victors, after the fight song of The University of Michigan. However, the term is almost never used among students and no club sports teams use the name, The Victors.[4] While the Football club uses the Kodiaks[14] The nickname needs approval of the Board of Regents, which is being held up by the over all athletic plan for the Flint branch.[5][6]
The Student Athletic Association, with the assistance of the Club Sports Coordinator, help promote the sports teams on campus.[4][3] These teams include:
Rankings and accreditation
The University of Michigan–Flint is rated as one of the best master's-level public universities in the Midwest in U.S. News & World Report's: 2009 America's Best Colleges report.
The Princeton Review has included UM–Flint in the "Best in the Midwest" category in their publication 2011 Best Colleges: Region by Region.[15]
The Part-Time MBA Program is ranked 41st in the United States (overall) and 9th in the Midwest (by region).[16]
The Princeton Review has also included UM–Flint's School of Management in their The Best 301 Business Schools: 2010 Edition.[17]
The Flint campus of the University of Michigan is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools,[18] the Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business – International,[19] the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education,[20] the Council on Accreditation for Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs,[21] the Council on Social Work Education,[22] the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology,[23] and the National Association of Schools of Music[24]
Academics and admissions
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The campus offers over 100 undergraduate majors and concentrations and over 25 graduate areas and concentrations for advanced studies.
Typical class sizes have a 14 to 1 student/faculty ratio. According to a 2008 student satisfaction survey, the overall level of satisfaction is significantly higher than the national average for other four-year public universities in the United States.[citation needed]
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. This achievement was surpassed in 2009 by winning 23 awards.[26] The newspaper is printed weekly and is available free-of-cost on the campus, at other area colleges, in the surrounding downtown area and elsewhere in the Greater Flint 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.
National recognition
The campus is featured in parts of Michael Moore's 1989 debut film Roger & Me. The school has also 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.