Wolverines On Campus: Where Do They Roam?

The University of Michigan is a large, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, founded in 1817. It is the oldest institution of higher education in the state and one of the earliest American research universities. The university has a large student body, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 33,730 students in Fall 2023. The university does not require freshmen to live on campus, but it does guarantee them housing. The campus spans 3,207 acres and offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, including over 1,500 student organizations and 62 Greek chapters. Athletics also play a central role in student life, with the Wolverines competing in 29 NCAA-sanctioned sports.

Housing accommodations and shortages

Housing shortages have become an issue for the University of Michigan as the institution has seen record-breaking enrolment numbers. In the fall of 2023, the university enrolled 52,065 students, a 2% increase from 2022. The university does not guarantee housing to returning students, but freshmen are guaranteed a form of housing if they are part of the 97% who choose to live on campus.

To accommodate the growing number of students, the university has had to convert lounges into dorm rooms. In the fall of 2023, 40 students were housed in these temporary accommodations, and the university expects to do the same in the following years. The university has also had to convert residence halls initially intended for upperclassmen into freshman residence halls.

The university is constructing a new Central Campus residence hall on Elbel Field to address the increasing demand for on-campus housing. The hall is expected to have a capacity of 2,300 students, with half the beds available by fall 2025 and the other half by fall 2026.

The high demand for student housing has resulted in limited options for returning students during the housing selection process. Many students have sought alternative solutions, such as co-op housing, renting from third-party landlords, or participating in housing lotteries. The high demand has also led to increased housing prices, with Ann Arbor's average rent price of $1,538 per month, making it one of the least affordable cities to live in among Big Ten Conference peers.

The university's Beyond The Diag program works to provide housing information, support, and resources for students navigating the challenging housing market. The program has seen increasing engagement in recent years, with more students seeking help in finding accommodations.

Large class sizes and access to office hours

The University of Michigan is a large university with a student body of over 52,000 students. While the student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1, which is on par with the national average for four-year public universities, some students have expressed concerns about large class sizes and their impact on access to office hours.

In Fall 2023, the computer science major implemented a major-specific application process due to increased interest and enrollment. LSA junior Tomas Garcia Lavanchy noted that the large class sizes in computer science courses prevent beneficial one-on-one communication with instructors. He shared that even when he arrives at office hours early, he sometimes doesn't get seen due to the long queues. Lavanchy suggested that the university hire more Graduate Student Instructors to facilitate smaller class sizes and improve student-teacher interactions.

Another notoriously large class is CHEM 210, the entry-level organic chemistry course. Engineering freshman Yasmeen Almahmoud shared that the class size makes it challenging to ask questions during lectures, and it can be hard to remember what questions to ask later. However, CHEM 210 offers consistent and lengthy office hours with the professors themselves, which student Maryam Altaye commended as being very accessible.

Overall, while the University of Michigan has a large student body and some courses with high enrollment, students still have access to office hours and other resources to support their learning.

Student organisation meeting spaces

The University of Michigan offers a variety of meeting spaces for its student organisations. The Michigan Union, the Michigan League, and Pierpont Commons, which make up the University Unions, offer discounted rates for registered student organisations. The University Unions buildings are centrally located and full of U-M history, making them ideal venues for events. The Conference and Event Services team is available to assist with room setup, catering, and other services.

The Center for Campus Involvement also offers exhibit space to student artists, student organisations, departments, and staff in each of the three unions. Additionally, the Student Theatre Arts Complex (STAC) is a pre-production facility located on the south campus that houses three rehearsal rooms, a full scene shop, a costume shop, and other resources for student performance organisations.

The Central Campus Diag and North Campus Grove space, managed by the Center for Campus Involvement, can be reserved by student organisations and campus partners. The Trotter Multicultural Center provides free, reservable meeting and event space, as well as audio/visual equipment for rental.

Student organisations can also apply for office space in the Michigan Union, Michigan League, and Trotter Multicultural Center via the Maize Pages form. These applications are reviewed by the student-led Office Space Allocation Committee (OSAC), which seeks to create a multi-faceted community by selecting organisations that can demonstrate organisational effectiveness and added value to the University community.

Financial aid and student resources

The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, is a public research university that offers a range of financial aid and student resources.

Financial Aid

The University of Michigan provides need-based financial aid and is committed to making higher education accessible to students. The Office of Financial Aid assists students in understanding the application process, qualifying criteria, and the types of financial aid available. The university recommends that students contact the Office of Financial Aid to set up a time to discuss their financial plans with an advisor.

Students at the University of Michigan typically receive three types of financial aid: scholarships and grants, loans, and Work-Study. The university encourages students to explore the various financial aid options available and to apply early to maximise their chances of receiving aid.

For international students, however, the situation is different. Those on temporary visas are not eligible for U.S. federal financial aid and have limited access to university scholarships. They are expected to pay the full cost of attendance.

Student Resources

The University of Michigan offers a wide range of resources to support students in their academic pursuits and overall well-being. The university has numerous student organisations, and students come from diverse backgrounds, representing all 50 U.S. states and nearly 100 countries.

The university provides comprehensive academic resources, including advising offices, academic advisors, and Resource Navigators—a team of undergraduate and graduate students who offer guidance in finding relevant information. Additionally, there are numerous study spots available across the campus, catering to different preferences, such as group study, library study, and neurodivergent spaces.

The university also prioritises student well-being and has joined the Okanagan Charter to demonstrate its commitment. It offers resources to support students' physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, intellectual, occupational, social, and environmental wellness. Furthermore, the university provides specialised services, such as First Generation College Student Services, International Student Services, and Services for Students with Disabilities, ensuring that students from diverse backgrounds have the support they need.

The University of Michigan is dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for its students, providing them with the tools and resources necessary to succeed in their academic and personal endeavours.

A large campus community

The University of Michigan is a large campus community, with a total undergraduate enrollment of 33,730 students as of Fall 2023. The campus size spans 3,207 acres, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 15:1, which is on par with the national average for four-year public universities.

The university offers its students a wide range of opportunities for involvement and community engagement. There are over 1,500 student organizations, 62 Greek chapters, and various athletic teams, with athletics playing a central role in campus life. The university's football team, in particular, has a well-known rivalry with Ohio State.

The large campus community at the University of Michigan provides students with a diverse and stimulating environment, allowing them to interact with a variety of different groups and individuals. The size of the student body can be surprising, even for upperclassmen who have been on campus for several years.

However, the large enrollment numbers can also pose challenges, such as increased housing difficulties and larger class sizes, which may limit one-on-one communication between students and instructors. The university has had to make adjustments to accommodate the growing student population, including converting lounges into dorm rooms and providing additional resources to keep pace with enrollment growth.

Despite these challenges, the University of Michigan's large campus community offers a wealth of opportunities for students to pursue their academic and extracurricular interests, connect with a diverse range of individuals, and engage in a vibrant campus life.

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