Photo: University of Minnesota Morris. Retrieved from: www.pinterest.com/umnmorris
Founded in 1960, the University of Minnesota-Morris (UMM) is a public co-educational liberal arts school located in Morris, Minnesota. UMM is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges in Morris, Minnesota as well as part of the University of Minnesota system. By stressing the importance of critical thinking, creativity, and leadership the administration at the school strives to offer their students vast opportunities to succeed not only at UMM but wherever their life may take them.
With a population of around 2,000 undergraduates, students will not be “just a number.” With over 30 majors that include Computer Science, Physical Science, and Visual and Performing Arts, the possibilities are endless. Named one of the Top 10 “Cool Schools” by Mother Jones Magazine in 2006, the university’s dedication to alternative education has set them apart from other colleges and universities across the country. Introducing a wind turbine in 2005 and then adding another in 2011, the turbines are able to provide electricity to approximately 60% of the campus.
History
Although officially founded in 1960, the campus was used for educational purposes as far back as 1887 when the Morris Industrial School for Indians, a boarding school for Native Americans was created. It was first run by the Roman Catholic Church and then later by the US government. After the Morris Industrial School closed in 1909, the campus was given to Minnesota under the agreement that Native Americans would be able to continue to enroll free of charge. Today, this agreement still holds strong.
Campus Life
With over 100 clubs and organizations, and Division II and III athletics, there are many activities to do around campus. UMM is dedicated to the performing and visual arts; offering an art gallery, printing press, recitals and poetry readings. Students can write for the (Floating) World, the campus’ only literary magazine, play video games with the SMASH! club or watch the Cougar’s football team at the Big Cat Stadium, which was built in 2006.
Residential Living is a huge part of UMM’s campus. Believing that students are more likely to be involved in clubs and organizations while living on campus, as well as fostering friendships and bonds that will last out of college, UMM encourages students to live on campus. With committed residential hall staff members, they work to ensure that every student feels safe, welcomed and enjoys their time living on campus.
Financial Aid
What sets the University of Minnesota-Morris apart from other liberal arts schools around the country is that it is a public school. Tuition is more affordable than their private counterparts and therefore more students are able to afford it. UMM is dedicated to supporting their students by providing as many students as possible with financial aid. UMM is committed to “to increase and strategically manage resources, including scholarships, to provide the best educational value possible for Morris students.”
UMM offers academic scholarships and waivers as well as student employment options to help students finance their college tuition. With financial aid representatives available, UMM works with students to ensure that every student is able to afford an education.
