University of Minnesota System: Difference between revisions
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The University of Minnesota was founded in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota | Minneapolis]] in [[1851]] as a college preparatory school, seven years prior to Minnesota's statehood. As such, the U is not officially a unit of state government. The school was closed during the [[American Civil War]], but reopened in [[1867]]. Minneapolis businessman [[John Sargent Pillsbury]] is known today as the "Father of the University", and aided the campus through financial troubles as a regent, state senator, and governor. The [[Morrill Land Grant Colleges Act]] also helped provide funding for the U. |
The University of Minnesota was founded in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota | Minneapolis]] in [[1851]] as a college preparatory school, seven years prior to Minnesota's statehood. As such, the U is not officially a unit of state government. The school was closed during the [[American Civil War]], but reopened in [[1867]]. Minneapolis businessman [[John Sargent Pillsbury]] is known today as the "Father of the University", and aided the campus through financial troubles as a regent, state senator, and governor. The [[Morrill Land Grant Colleges Act]] also helped provide funding for the U. |
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[[Image:Kiosk.jpg|thumb|left|160px|Student kiosks around campus demonstrate political activism on the campus, as well as encourage student involvement in a wide array of clubs and activities]] |
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In [[1869]] the school reorganized and became an institution of higher education. William Watts Folwell served as the first president of the University. |
In [[1869]] the school reorganized and became an institution of higher education. William Watts Folwell served as the first president of the University. |
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Revision as of 20:47, 14 December 2004
Affectionately referred to by locals as the "U", The University of Minnesota is a large university with several campuses spread throughout the state of Minnesota, USA. There are four primary campuses: Twin Cities, Duluth, Crookston, and Morris. In addition, University services are available in Rochester, and a campus was open in Waseca for a time.
With over 50,000 students, the University of Minnesota continuously ranks amongst the largest universities in the country. In October 2004, the University ranked 2nd in the nation in total enrollment, behind Ohio State University.
The flagship Twin Cities campus contains a number of distinguished graduate and professional schools, notably the University of Minnesota Law School, Medical School, Carlson School of Management and Hubert H. Humphery School of Public Policy.
Amongst the graduates of the University of Minnesota are two former U.S. Vice Presidents, Hubert H. Humphrey and Walter Mondale, several Nobel prize winners, and singer Yanni.
The phrase U of M is also used to refer to any of several other universities; see the article U of M for a list of these.
The University of Minnesota was founded in Minneapolis in 1851 as a college preparatory school, seven years prior to Minnesota's statehood. As such, the U is not officially a unit of state government. The school was closed during the American Civil War, but reopened in 1867. Minneapolis businessman John Sargent Pillsbury is known today as the "Father of the University", and aided the campus through financial troubles as a regent, state senator, and governor. The Morrill Land Grant Colleges Act also helped provide funding for the U.
In 1869 the school reorganized and became an institution of higher education. William Watts Folwell served as the first president of the University.
The colors of the University are Maroon and Gold, and the school's athletic teams are the Golden Gophers. The school has held recent national NCAA championships in men's hockey (2002, 2003), women's hockey (2004), wrestling (2002), and men's golf (2002). In addition, the men's basketball team reached the NCAA Final Four in 1999, but this feat has since been erased from official NCAA records after a much-publicized scandal involving team members having papers and other assignments written for them on by a secretly-hired professor the coach Clem Haskins' request.
The internet search engine called Gopher was created at the University of Minnesota, on the Twin Cities campus. It was named after the school mascot named Goldy the Gopher.
Holidays are not observed at the University as often as they are at most other schools, and it is uncommon for classes to be cancelled on account of weather. During the traditional autumn through spring year, classes are not held on Thanksgiving Day or the Friday after, and the school traditionally has an extended break covering Christmas and New Year's Day. Classes often don't resume in January until after Martin Luther King Day. A week-long spring break sometimes coincides with Easter. Evening classes are cancelled once a year to allow students, faculty, and staff to attend the Minnesota caucuses.
Twin Cities campus
The Twin Cities campus is the largest in the system, with about 50,000 students, making it one of the largest three campuses in the United States. This campus is actually divided into a few parts. The Saint Paul campus (which is actually located in the city of Falcon Heights, and due to the workings of the U of M phone system has 612 area code (Minneapolis) instead of the 651 code of the surrounding cities) is where a lot of agricultural education takes place, and is located next to the state fairgrounds. The Minneapolis campus sits astride the Mississippi River, and the halves are referred to as the East Bank and the West Bank. The Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses are connected via a dedicated bus transitway. The buildings on each campus are connected by an extensive series of underground tunnels and above-ground skyways called The Gopher Way.
Because of the large size, the name "University of Minnesota" is often used to refer specifically to the Twin Cities campus.
The mascot for the Twin Cities campus is Goldy the Gopher, and the sports teams for this campus are called the Golden Gophers or just The Gophers. They participate in the NCAA's Division I-A and in the Big Ten Conference. Its hockey program competes in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
Presidents of the U of M
- William Watts Folwell, 1869-1884
- Cyrus Northrop, 1884-1911
- George Vincent, 1911-1917
- Marion Burton, 1917-1920
- Lotus Coffman, 1920-1938
- Guy Stanton Ford, 1938-1941
- Walter Coffey, 1941-1945
- James Morrill, 1945-1960
- O. Meredith Wilson, 1960-1967
- Malcolm Moos, 1967-1974
- C. Peter Magrath, 1974-1984
- Kenneth H. Keller, 1984-1985 (acting)
- Kenneth H. Keller, 1985-1988
- Nils Hasselmo, 1988-1997
- Mark G. Yudof, 1997-2002
- Robert H. Bruininks, 2002-present
Other campuses
- The Duluth campus joined the University system in 1947. Their nickname is the Bulldogs.
- The Crookston campus joined the University system in 1966. Their mascot is Regal the Eagle, and the school nickname is Golden Eagles.
- The Morris campus joined the University system in 1960. Their nickname is the Cougars.
- The Rochester campus has offered classes since 1966.
- Waseca opened in 1971, but was closed in 1992.