Skip to main content
Faculty Handbook
Office of the Provost signature Office of the Provost signature

Chapter 21: Additional Resources

Save chapter as a PDF

21.B Alumni/Alumnae

Save section as a PDF

21.B.1 Alumni Association

The University of Michigan Alumni Association is an independent membership organization which conducts a variety of programs for alumni; operates year-round programming activities at camp Michigania (see below); provides educational opportunities; publishes the Michigan Alumnus magazine; and offers resources such as the Alumni Career Center, reunion information, an on-line alumni directory, alumni locator service, and more. The Association has more than 100,000 members.

Some of the schools and colleges also have alumni organizations for their graduates. For information, contact the appropriate dean’s office.

21.B.2 Alumni/ae Records Office

This office maintains records on University alumni/ae, making records available to units within the University in connection with University programs. Alumni/ae can update their records online.  Requests for address lists or labels or for biographical data require advance arrangements.

21.B.3 Camp Michigania

Owned and operated by the Alumni Association since 1962, Camp Michigania is a conference and retreat facility comprised of 375 acres of woods and fields and 1.5 miles of shoreline on Walloon Lake, Michigan. Michigania is a peaceful setting for group retreats, conferences, and summer week-long camp sessions offered to Alumni Association members and their families. Spacious rooms in the Education Center offer an ideal setting for retreats for faculty and staff, and afford a non-distracting setting for conferences or retreats of up to 100 people.

Chapter 21: Additional Resources

Save chapter as a PDF

21.C Ann Arbor

Save section as a PDF

Ann Arbor is home to over 123,000 people who enjoy its many offerings in the areas of education, business, emerging technology, culture, sports, festivals, parks, recreation, restaurants, shopping, and community neighborhoods. The following websites give a small taste of the attractions of this vibrant city.

Chapter 21: Additional Resources

Save chapter as a PDF

21.D Bookstores

Save section as a PDF

For course books, the University uses Canvas.

  • Canvas @ Michigan is a site for anyone who would like to learn how to create or improve a Canvas Course. There are resources for the basics, teaching remotely, making course sites accessible for everyone, and much more. For general information see:  https://umich.instructure.com/courses/200

Ann Arbor is home to a number of general content bookstores as well as stores that specialize in particular genres. In addition, the city regularly hosts the A2 Community Bookfest, the Ann Arbor Antiquarian Book Fair, and the Kerrytown BookFest.

Chapter 21: Additional Resources

Save chapter as a PDF

21.E Buildings

Save section as a PDF

The Campus Information Centers (CIC) provide an online building search searchable by building name, department name, item, address, or campus zip code. For each building, the website provides directions and also departments, vendors, rooms, and other items located there.

There are four main facilities on the Ann Arbor campus that offer services to the entire University community: the Michigan League, the Michigan Union, Palmer Commons, and Pierpont Commons.

  • Michigan League Originally built in 1929 as a union for female students, today the Michigan League comprises a hotel facility, conference area, food service areas, the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, a gift shop, and study areas. Michigan League’s goal is to provide a gracious and welcoming setting for all members of the University community. It is located at 911 North University, phone: 764-0446.
  • Michigan Union When the Michigan Union was established in 1904, its founders sought to provide “a place for meals and snacks, for reading and talking, for organization and committee meetings, for billiards and games, for dancing and assemblies.” Today, the union is a resource for the entire U-M community, with a broad array of facilities, programs, and services. Located at 530 South State Street, the building includes a food court, bookstore, meeting rooms, billiards and games room, Campus Information Center, student organization offices, meeting space, and the University Club.  See also section 21.H.3 “Michigan Union Offices”.
  • Palmer Commons Completed in 2004, Palmer Commons is a 100,000-square foot multifunctional facility located in the Life Sciences Complex. Positioned at the pedestrian bridge connecting medical and central campuses, Palmer Commons provides a location for all members of the University to make connections for meals, meetings, and events. This conference center includes meeting rooms, an auditorium, restaurants, and catering services. Palmer Commons is located at 100 Washtenaw Avenue.
  • Pierpont Commons The Pierpont Commons provides cultural, social, and intellectual programming; educational opportunities; food services; leisure time and recreational opportunities; services and agencies responsive to campus needs; student development programs; student leadership development and programs and opportunities; and student employment. Resources include a Campus Information Center, food court and dining room, conference and meeting rooms, bookstore, ATM machines, and a café. It is located at 2101 Bonisteel Boulevard on north campus.

Chapter 21: Additional Resources

Save chapter as a PDF

21.F Banks and Credit Unions

Save section as a PDF

Bank of Ann Arbor (BOAA) was founded in in 1995, and hosts Sonic Lunch, a weekly outdoor summer concert series performed in Ann Arbor’s Liberty Plaza. Sonic Lunch’s family friendly entertainment still continues to be part of summer tradition for the Ann Arbor community.  BOAA also sponsors the U-M Retirees Association, and is a member of the U-M environmental, social and governance (ESG) practice partnership.

The University of Michigan Credit Union (UMCU) and DFCU Financial are non-profit cooperatives serving only their memberships.

  • Membership in the UMCU is open to active and retired employees, students, and alumni of the University and their immediate families.
  • Although according to DFCU Financial’s community charter, it’s open to people who reside, work, worship, or are enrolled in post high school educational facilities in the 68 counties of the lower peninsula of Michigan, membership is open to everyone. Those who don’t qualify for membership under the aforementioned criteria can contact DFCU Financial.

Chapter 21: Additional Resources

Save chapter as a PDF

21.G Cultural Collections Council

Save section as a PDF

The Cultural Collections Council (CCC) of the University of Michigan includes units dedicated to the advancement of scholarship and culture that are not credit granting. The purpose of this unique group is to utilize more effectively the extensive resources, collections, programs, and leadership qualities of the Cultural Collections Council and to promote collaboration among CCC members and other University entities in ways that enrich the educational and cultural experience on campus and in the community.

Cultural Collections Council member organizations include:

  • Bentley Historical Library
  • Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum (observer status)
  • Kelsey Museum of Archaeology
  • Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum
  • Museum of Anthropology
  • Museum of Art
  • Museum of Natural History
  • University Library
  • William L. Clements Library

For more information about the Cultural Collections Council, contact the Office of the Provost at 734-764-9290.

Chapter 21: Additional Resources

Save chapter as a PDF

21.H Cultural Events and Programming

Save section as a PDF

21.H.1 Introduction/Ann Arbor Campus Venues

The University of Michigan offers myriad music, theater, drama, dance, and cinema programs and events at a number of campus venues. Major theatres and performance halls on campus are:

  • Hill Auditorium
  • Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre
  • Power Center for the Performing Arts
  • Rackham Auditorium
  • Arthur Miller Theatre

Because the performance halls and theatres are used by a wide variety of groups, they may not be selling their tickets at the performance hall until the day of their event.

Tickets for many events are sold at the following off-site ticket offices:

Interested faculty should consult individual listings circulated throughout campus for information about performances and events.

21.H.2 Academic Unit Programs

College of Literature, Science & The Arts

  • Film, Television, and Media  The Department of Film, Television, and Media sponsors and co-sponsors numerous film-related events every semester, including the appearance of visiting screenwriters and filmmakers, as well as symposia and special screenings on campus and at the restored 1920s movie palace, the Michigan Theater. Also, several independent and University student film groups offer frequent showings of classic American, foreign, experimental, and current films, all at reduced prices in University buildings. Check The Michigan Daily and The University Record for schedules.

Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design

Contemporary art and design exhibitions are presented without charge each academic year in the Jean Paul Slusser Gallery and the Warren Robbins Gallery in the Art and Architecture Building, and the Gallery in the Duderstadt Center on north campus. A weekly lecture series is presented during the fall and winter semesters and is open to the public. Information regarding exhibitions, openings, lectures, and other events at the School can be found on the School’s website  or in The Michigan Daily and The Ann Arbor News.

School of Music, Theatre & Dance

The School of Music, Theatre & Dance offers fully staged productions of opera, drama, musical theater, and dance each fall and winter term. In addition, many free concerts by orchestras, choirs, bands, and faculty and student chamber ensembles and soloists are offered throughout the year. The school’s calendar of events is available online or from the School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

  • Dance  The Department of Dance offers several dance events every year; programs include students, visiting artists, and dance companies.
  • Theatre & Drama Under the direction of faculty and visiting artists, the Theatre & Drama Department offers productions in the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre and the Power Center for the Performing Arts. Student-directed productions are presented in the Walgreen Drama Center.
  • University Productions University Productions is part of the School of Music, Theatre & Dance. It creates stage presentations for the University Dance Company, Musical Theater Program, School of Music Opera Theater, and University Players and sells tickets for these student productions at the UMS/U Productions ticket office, located in the Michigan League. Season schedules for Department of Theatre & Drama, School of Music Opera Theater, Musical Theater, and University Dance Company performances are also available at the Michigan League Ticket Office. University Productions manages and rents the major performing venues on campus (Hill Auditorium, Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, Power Center and Rackham Auditorium).

21.H.3 Michigan Union Offices

The following offices are located in the Michigan Union and offer a variety of programming opportunities and/or sell tickets for events:

  • Center for Campus Involvement The Center for Campus Involvement is a student-run center organizing concerts, workshops, lectures, and arts activities.
  • Michigan Union Ticket Office (MUTO) In addition to handling ticketing for a variety of on-campus programs at venues such as the Ark, Hill Auditorium, and the Power Center, MUTO offers Ticketmaster service for the entire Midwest and Toronto. Other services include ticketing for Cedar Point and Ann Arbor Transit Authority (AATA).
  • University Activities Center (UAC) The largest student-run organization on campus sponsors several student theater and production groups such as MUSKET, the Comedy Company, and the Amazin’ Blue. UAC’s Eclipse Jazz brings to Ann Arbor great names in jazz such as George Winston and Bobby McFerrin. It also offers workshops, lecture series, and other musical activities.

21.H.4 University Musical Society (UMS)

Considered one of the leading performing arts presenters in the country, the University Musical Society, founded in 1879, presents about 90 performances and 175 educational programs from September to May. UMS programming covers a wide variety of artistic expressions including orchestras, chamber and jazz ensembles, song recitals, world music troupes, dance and theater companies, sacred and early music groups, and multi-media performance art. The extensive UMS education and audience development program creates residencies in partnership with a diverse array of individual artists and scholars as well as departments, schools, and centers. Serving as a resource to the University and the community, UMS is committed to working with the faculty to enhance curricular offerings and to support student learning. Discounted student tickets are available. UMS performances and education events are listed in their brochures, which can be obtained at the box office located in the Michigan League, and performances are listed in local newspapers. For additional information, visit the website at <www.ums.org> or call 764-2538 (box office), 647-1174 (administrative).

Chapter 21: Additional Resources

Save chapter as a PDF

21.I Information

Save section as a PDF

A wealth of information is available through the Campus Information Center (CIC), located on the 1st floor of the Michigan Union and the north campus Information Center (NCIC), located in the Pierpont Commons Lobby. These centers have a multitude of publications, event information, and campus maps. The CIC website contains maps and information about transportation, U-M events, and includes directions to popular visitor locations in Ann Arbor Southeast Michigan from Central and North Campus. While some information is more germane to students, much of it is applicable to any new Ann Arborite.  To get information about buildings, see the Campus Information Centers’ building search, which provides detailed information including directions, accessibility, and departments/offices.

An events calendar maintained by the CIC lists exhibitions, performances, workshops, and other events.

Chapter 21: Additional Resources

Save chapter as a PDF

21.J International Center

Save section as a PDF

The University of Michigan International Center (IC) is the main interface unit for international students and scholars, American students, foreign faculty and staff, and international visitors. The Center helps international students and scholars to become accustomed to life in this country in order to make their stay an enjoyable one. The office assists American students who would like to travel abroad, whether by finding a job or scholarship, finding a place to stay, or suggesting travel spots.

IC staff provide a number of services to international faculty, scholars, students, and staff during their time at U-M, such as assisting with complex federal and state regulations concerning immigration, travel, employment, and taxes. The IC also acts as a liaison with various agencies, foundations, and sponsors; and assists University departments in complying with immigration regulations concerning the hiring of international faculty and staff.  See also section 5.G.6 “International Faculty”.

Chapter 21: Additional Resources

Save chapter as a PDF

21.K Libraries

Save section as a PDF

21.K.1 The University of Michigan Library

The University of Michigan Library, comprised of many libraries and collections across the Ann Arbor campus, is ranked among the top ten academic library in North America. For information on the administrative structure of the U-M libraries, see section 3.K.1 “Libraries”.

The collections that comprise the U-M library system, as well as the catalogs of some of the independent campus libraries and the UM-Flint library, can be accessed via the catalogue, Mirlyn. For more information, e-mail [email protected].

In addition, the University library is engaged in numerous digital library initiatives, some of which are described below:

  • Deep Blue is the U-M’s permanent and accessible home for U-M-authored work and for representing our rich intellectual environment online.
  • Digital Library Production Service (DLPS) provides infrastructure for campus digital library collections, including both access systems and digitization services.
  • HathiTrust Digital Library is a digital preservation repository which preserves and provides discovery and access to digitized content from a variety of sources, including Google, the Internet Archive, Microsoft, and in-house partner institution initiatives.
  • U-M Digital Library Collections and Publications is an alphabetical listing of all Production Service resources.
  • U-M Image Source creates and delivers both licensed and freely available collections of digital images to the U-M and Internet communities.
  • UMDL Finding Aids is the central access point for electronic finding aids for archival collections provided by UM DLPS.
  • UMDL Texts is the central access point for electronic books and journals created by UM DLPS.
  • OAIster is a global collection of over 9.5 million previously difficult-to-access, academically-oriented digital materials.
  • Michigan Publishing is the university’s library based publishing enterprise, and publishes scholarly, educational, and regional works in print and electronic formats.
  • Text Creation Partnership (TCP) promotes scholarship and digital library development by creating high quality, cost-effective electronic text editions of historically significant works.

21.K.2 Additional University Libraries

  • Bentley Historical Library Established in 1935 by the Board of Regents, the Bentley documents the history of the state of Michigan and the activities of its people and organizations, and serves as U-M’s official archive. Located at 1150 Beal Avenue on North Campus, this library holds more than 8,000 historical collections and archival record groups donated by citizens from across the state. Included in the holdings, which date from the era of exploration to the present day, are more than 40,000 linear feet of manuscripts; 58,000 printed volumes and newspapers; 1.5 million visual images (e.g., photographs, films, tapes); and 10,000 maps of Michigan and the Great Lakes region. The University community and visitors from around the world visit the library to conduct research in such subject areas as politics and public policy, education, migration and ethnicity, natural resources and the environment, culture and the arts, military affairs, religion, business, and industry.
  • Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum This archive contains the congressional, vice presidential, and presidential papers of former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford plus selected staff members; includes an audio visual collection covering the same time period. The library is part of the National Archives and Records Administration. It is located at 1100 Beal Avenue on North Campus.
  • Kresge Library Services The Kresge Library provides access to a wide array of databases, books, journals, and specialized resources in the areas of accounting; business economics and public policy; computer and information systems; corporate strategy; finance and real estate; international business; law, history, and communication; marketing; operations management; organizational behavior and human resource management; and statistics and management science.
  • Law Library The Law Library has one of the world’s outstanding collections, with more than 875,000 volumes. The collection includes reports of the American federal and state courts as well as the court reports of Great Britain and the Commonwealth and of most European and South American countries. The constitutions, codes, and statutes of most foreign countries, as well as of the American states, are kept retrospectively and up-to-date. Legal documents for the United Nations, the European community, and other supranational authorities represent a particular strength of the collection; the library is a depository for European Economic Community documents and selected U.S. government documents. There are extensive special collections in the fields of Roman law, international law, comparative law, trials, biography, and legal bibliography. It is located in the Legal Research Building, 801 Monroe Street.
  • William L. Clements Library The Clements library, located at 909 S. University (between the president’s house and Shapiro Undergraduate Library), is a non-circulating library focusing on America from the age of exploration to the beginning of this century. This collection includes manuscripts, books, photographs, sheet music, and maps.

21.K.3 Other Services