University of Michigan–Flint

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University of Michigan–Flint
Seal of University of Michigan–Flint
Motto:	Artes, Scientia, Veritas
Motto in English:	Arts, Knowledge, Truth
Established:	1956
Type:	Public
Chancellor:	Ruth J. Person
President:	Mary Sue Coleman (University of Michigan system)
Faculty:	405
Students:	7,260[1]
Location:	Flint, MI, USA 43°01′07″N 83°41′19″W / 43.0184961°N 83.6886902°W / 43.0184961; -83.6886902Coordinates: 43°01′07″N 83°41′19″W / 43.0184961°N 83.6886902°W / 43.0184961; -83.6886902
Campus:	Urban
Former names:	Flint Senior College of the University of Michigan (1954–1964)
Newspaper:	The Michigan Times
Colors:	Maize and Blue
Nickname:	The Victors[2]
Athletics:	Club level[3]
Website:	www.umflint.edu

The University of Michigan–Flint (UM–Flint, U of M–Flint or simply Michigan Flint) is a selective^[4] public institution located in Flint, Michigan, United States. It is one of three campuses in the University of Michigan system.

Contents 1 History 2 Student life 2.1 Residential life 2.2 Groups and activities 3 Athletics 4 Photo gallery 5 Accreditation 6 Rankings 7 National recognition 8 The Michigan Times 9 Student government 10 Notable people and alumni 11 See also 12 References 13 External links

[edit] History

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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,^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]} Local philanthropist late Charles Stewart Mott (former vice president and director of General Motors Corporation (GM)) donated money to build a classroom and office building, and the Sponsors Fund of Flint donated funds for operating expenses.^{[citation needed]}

Cooperation between the community and the University of Michigan brought about the opening of a two-year senior 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.^{[citation needed]}

As time passed, there was a call for major changes in the college.^{[citation needed]} 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 Senior College of the University of Michigan 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 W. Fleming appointed William E. Moran—the first Chancellor of the University of Michigan–Flint.

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.

[edit] Student life

[edit] Residential life

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The Housing and Residential Life at the University of Michigan–Flint is fully dedicated to the creation of a learning-centered community where inclusiveness, academic excellence, personal growth, and the free exchange of divergent ideas are highly valued. Student residents are encouraged to actively shape their community and are expected to balance individual and collective needs with civility and honesty. Our foundation is built upon a presumption of goodwill and the belief that mutual respect is a fundamental right of every human being.

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. The First Street Residence Hall is approximately 100,000 gross square feet and is situated on the southern edge of the campus adjacent to First Street and Willson Park. The Residence Hall has 310 beds and living-learning spaces on the first floor. The facility is different from the traditional dormitory buildings found on many college campuses. It features one, two and four bedroom units, including handicapped-accessible units. In the fall of 2009, the new Riverfront Residence Hall will open downtown, bringing another 250 beds immediately (with plans for an eventual 550 beds). The nonprofit Uptown Reinvestment Corporation bought the 16-story former hotel with plans to transform it into housing for UM-Flint students. A $20-million loan from the Charles Stewart Mott or C.S. Mott Foundation is funding the purchase and planned renovations.

[edit] Groups and activities

The University is home to many fraternities and sororities that make up the campus' greek life. The following organizations have chapters on the campus:

Fraternities

• Alpha Phi Alpha
• Kappa Sigma
• Omega Psi Phi
• Theta Chi [1]
• Phi Kappa Tau (Colony)

Sororities

• Alpha Kappa Alpha
• Beta Sigma Phi
• Delta Sigma Theta
• Phi Sigma Sigma
• Zeta Phi Beta
• Theta Phi Alpha (Re-chartered in 2009)

[edit] 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 the fight song of the The University of Michigan.

A Student Athletic Association current exists due to the creation of a number of sports clubs that compete intercollegiately.^[2][3] These teams include:

• UM-Flint Cycling
• UM-Flint Golf
• UM-Flint Hockey
• UM-Flint Mix Martial Arts
• UM-Flint Soccer
• UM-Flint Ultimate Frisbee
• UM-Flint Volleyball
• UM-Flint Water Ski
• UM-Flint Flat Track Roller Derby
• UM-Flint Football[2]

[edit] Photo gallery

Harrison Street Entrance to Campus	Skywalks Connect the UM–Flint Campus	French Hall
Frances Willson Thompson Library	William S. White Building and the Northbank Center	McKinnon Plaza

[edit] Accreditation

The Flint campus of the University of Michigan is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools ^[5]. Accreditation has also been awarded to various programs in the university by the Association to Advance Collegiate School of Business - International ^[6], the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education ^[7], the Council on Accreditation for Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs ^[8], the Council on Social Work Education ^[9], the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology ^[10], and the National Association of Schools of Music ^[11] The university is currently seeking accreditation from ABET for their new mechanical engineering program.

[edit] Rankings

The Princeton Review has included UM–Flint in the "Best in the Midwest" category ^[12] 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 ^[13].

[edit] National recognition

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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.

[edit] The Michigan Times

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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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Notable people and alumni

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• John D. Cherry – Lieutenant Governor of Michigan; President of Michigan Senate.
• Deborah Cherry – Member of Michigan Senate.
• Dave Robertson – former member of the Michigan House of Representatives.
• Michael Moore (did not graduate) – Oscar winner and documentarian.
• 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
• Jan Worth-Nelson (faculty) – Writer, known as author of self-published fiction novel Night Blind.
• 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

[edit] See also

• University of Michigan
• University of Michigan–Dearborn

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official website
• UM-Flint Football

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