Welcome!

Welcome to one of the top public liberal arts colleges in the nation. As one of five campuses of the University of Minnesota, the University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM) has a unique mission and offers the best of both in the world of higher education—a small, close-knit campus complemented by the power of a world-renowned research University system.

With an enrollment of about 1,700 students and more than 145 teaching faculty, the UMM campus attracts students from throughout Minnesota, 28 additional states and 14 foreign countries. Since 1964, when 61 members of UMM's first graduating class were awarded degrees, the Morris campus has conferred more than 10,600 degrees.

A Brief History

The University of Minnesota, Morris makes its home on a 118 year-old campus. The first buildings housed an American Indian boarding school, first administered by the Sisters of Mercy order of the Catholic Church and later by the United States Government. The school closed in 1909, and the campus was transferred to the State of Minnesota with the stipulation that American Indian students "shall at all times be admitted to such school free of charge for tuition," a policy the campus proudly honors. The current Multi-Ethnic Resource Center is the only remaining building from the American Indian boarding school period.

In 1910 the U of M established the West Central School of Agriculture on the campus, which successfully educated the area's high school students in a boarding school environment until 1963. It is this time period that garnered the campus its placement on the National Register of Historic Places as the West Central School of Agriculture and Experiment Station Historic District. Handsome Prairie School structures, such as Behmler Hall and the Education building, built during the WCSA years and designed by well-known state architect Clarence H. Johnston, Sr., continue to serve the campus well.

In the late 1950s when the U of M announced that agricultural schools would be phased out, a grass roots citizens movement convinced the Minnesota Legislature that creating a distinct public liberal arts college within the University of Minnesota system on the Morris campus would be a good investment for the state. In September 1960 the University of Minnesota, Morris opened its doors and began fulfilling its institutional vision to be an affordable, undergraduate, small, residential, public liberal arts campus.

UMM Today

The "Morris experience" emphasizes faculty/student collaborative research, study abroad and service learning. UMM offers bachelor of arts degrees in 30 majors and is consistently ranked as one of the nation's top public liberal arts colleges by U.S. News & World Report and others (see "Kudos" for more information).

UMM has received national recognition for its academically gifted student body, its commitment to diversity, its emphasis on student leadership and the exceptional student-centered learning environment created by its dedicated faculty and staff.

Academic Programs

UMM offers outstanding academic programs in support of its mission to provide an exceptional liberal arts education. Thirty majors from a variety of disciplines are organized, in part, into four divisions: Education, Humanities, Science & Mathematics, and the Social Sciences. For more information about academic programs at UMM, visit the Academic Programs page.

Unique Academic Opportunities

UMM has everything you'd expect at a quality liberal arts institution... and special opportunities you can't find anywhere else.

Kudos for UMM

A consistent recipient of the nation's top public liberal arts college honors, the University of Minnesota, Morris (UMM) has been lauded by everyone from U.S. News & World Report and the Fiske Guide to "best bargain" colleges to Mother Jones magazine and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Read more.

A Green Campus

The University of Minnesota, Morris is deeply rooted in the tall prairie grass and connected to the blue prairie sky. Campus leaders (students, faculty, staff, and administrators) have advanced sustainable, environmentally friendly initiatives since the original Earth Day. Since 2000, these efforts have grown to levels of national leadership and touch nearly all aspects of campus life - our power, food, water, transportation, and waste stream infrastructure, academic study, and our quality of life.

Read about our Green Campus.

Our Stories
The faculty are teachers and scholars without peer; our staff is skilled and committed; our alumni are loyal; our benefactors are caring and dedicated; and UMM students are a magnificent treasure.
Samuel Schuman, chancellor, University of Minnesota, Morris, 2000-2006

We are proud to share our stories about some of the extraordinary people who teach, learn and work at the University of Minnesota, Morris. As you might imagine, there are many stories to tell. Read just a few of them at 'Our Stories.'

Cougar Athletics

UMM offers nine intercollegiate sports for women and seven for men. As members of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC), UMM has fielded championship teams in football, soccer, volleyball, men's golf and women's track. Men's basketball and tennis have earned post-season tournament championships. Among the strongest scholars on campus, UMM athletes consistently achieve academic all-conference honors. The soccer team has been honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for academic excellence eight years in a row. To learn more about Cougar athletics, visit UMMCougars.org.