In the past year the University Unions team has made connections, mentored leaders, honored traditions and developed new partnerships. Our community celebrated as the Michigan Union reopened, and struggled together as it met the challenges of life during a pandemic. In good times and in challenging times, University Unions has prioritized serving students and kept the mission in focus — to serve as a catalyst for connection and learning that cultivates community and belonging at the University of Michigan and beyond.
The $85 million 20-month Michigan Union renovation culminated in a memorable reopening event on January 13, 2020. Highlights of the campus celebration included the Michigan Marching Band, raising the M-flag above the Union, remarks from President Schlissel, guided tours, commemorative ink-pressed photos of the Union, food trucks and giveaways.
Read more about the reopening celebration.
At least 30 news articles featured details of the Michigan Union’s reopening. Read some of those articles here.
4 students were hired to provide guided Michigan Union tours for the reopening, and 82 group tours were given between December 2019 and March 2020.
The Michigan Union was open for 75 days before closing in response to COVID-19. During the time that the Union was open prior to closing in response to COVID-19, 253,000 visitors were welcomed to the building.
IdeaHub is the new home to our university’s 1,600+ student organizations. With various gathering and meeting areas, including two Movement Studios and a Creation Studio, the space was designed as part of the Michigan Union renovation to foster collaboration and encourage student involvement campus-wide.
New University Unions website launched: In tandem with the reopening of the Michigan Union, University Unions unveiled a new website that captures the University Unions story while, at the same time, making it easy for users to find the information they need.
We create intentional intersections for the university’s diverse student population to foster understanding, collaboration, community, personal growth and a sense of belonging.
Hearing Student Voices: Students provided University Unions with valuable insights through thoughtful participation in our 6 advisory boards (Michigan Union Board of Representatives, Michigan League Board of Governors, Pierpont Commons Board of Representatives, Building a Better Michigan, Center for Campus Involvement Advisory Board and University Unions Marketing Advisory Board).
Leadership is put into practice through the university’s 1,613 student organizations. We serve as the conduit for leadership training and development within these organizations.
UAC-sponsored student organizations expanded from 15 to 17.
Student leadership roles added for Pierpont Commons Building Managers.
MLEAD is guided by 3 units within Student Life (CCI, Ginsberg Center and Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA)) to provide leadership opportunities to students and student organizations, and integrate leadership education campus-wide.
Leadership Consulting: This new program includes an online library and weekly Leadership Talks as well as individual student organization consultations.
6 Student Leadership Consultants were hired and met with 8 student organizations for the initial launch just prior to COVID-19.
Leadership Retreats: 38 student leaders attended LeaderShape, an annual six-day interactive experience in student leadership development presented by CCI.
Leadership Connection: 54 students attended this year’s virtual experience to discuss challenges and opportunities surrounding their student organizations. The student organization delegates met over four days to exchange knowledge, skills, connections, and offer support needed to improve organizational and campus impact.
Thank you to our many partners across the university! Together we advance learning and development and create meaningful experiences for our students.
- Ask Me! Info Stations answered 516 questions at locations across campus during the first two days of class (Campus Information Centers (CIC) + Office of New Student Programs (ONSP)).
- Ask Us Anything tables in first-year residence halls (CIC + First Year Experience + University Housing).
- Ticketing services for campus events (Michigan Union Ticket Office (MUTO) + Student and Community Organizations).
- 21 Graduate and Professional student-focused events (University Housing + Spectrum + MESA + Rackham).
- Developed Facility Managers network for better building unification on North Campus (Pierpont Commons + Duderstadt Center + Chrysler Center).
- Post-consumer composting in Maizie’s (University Unions + Michigan Dining + Office of Sustainability).
- Welcome to Michigan (CCI + ONSP).
- Textbooks and course materials (University Unions + Registrar's Office + Provost’s Office + Barnes & Noble).
- MLEAD (CCI + Ginsberg Center + MESA).
- Interfaith Conference and development of religious diversity training, with two grants awarded to continue Interfaith work (CCI + Trotter Multicultural Center).
Every day, thousands of students, faculty, staff, and visitors enter our doors to study, meet, relax, connect and learn. There are a few special moments we’d like to share.
- Celebrated 100 years of the Michigan Union building with a party on the Diag.
- Celebrated 40 years of the Student Theatre Arts Complex.
- Michigan League was awarded the 2020 Best of Weddings by The Knot.
- 12 student employees selected by the Michigan League Board of Governors received a total of $25,000 in scholarships from our generous donors.
- Two Michigan Union spaces were named following the generosity of our donors: Charles and Lisa Spies Debate Team Director’s Office; The Dr. Melina J. McCarty and Mr. John C. Bishop VII Conference Room on the second floor near the Rogel Ballroom and the IdeaHub.
- The Michigan League received a major gift bequest from Kathy Kutche that established an endowment in her parents name, John and Estelle Kutche. Kathy’s parents had their wedding reception at the Michigan League in 1942. Room 2 is now named for John and Estelle Kutche.
With more than 25,000 visitors per day to our University Unions buildings, UU provides a unique campus crossroads where diversity, equity and inclusion are encouraged and demonstrated.
- MLK Jr. Symposium Student Dialogue and Reflection.
- “Huddles” and newsletters for staff focused on current events, supervision, communication and development.
- DEI staff development series.
- Art displays featured student artists of color in the Michigan League.
- Pierpont Commons flag display was updated to be more inclusive.
- Partnered with the Ginsberg and Spectrum Centers to deliver programs including Sustainable Partnerships Workshop and the Transgender Day of Visibility social media campaign.
Conference and Events Services (CES) held 451 Zero Waste events.
Michigan Union Renovation: Overall upgrades in the 350,000-square-foot landmark focused on energy efficiency and sustainability, with an estimated 37 percent energy savings. Read more about the upgrades here.
Pierpont Commons certified as Platinum sustainable workplace.
Planet Blue Student Leader Energy Efficiency Treasure Hunt was performed at Pierpont Commons in coordination with Planet Blue and Energy Star.
Inn at the Michigan League collaborated with a group of students enrolled in Sustainability Class, ENVIRON 391 to make recommendations on sustainability opportunities at the Inn.
Michigan League was recognized by Recyclemania 2020 Competition for sustainability efforts, including hotel staff becoming Planet Blue certified and composting 64,386 tons. “The Michigan League (social gathering spot), which has the highest diversion rate of union-type buildings and represents student-focused meeting spaces, event venues and retail food operation.” – Recyclemania 2020 Competition Article.
To ensure the safety and well-being of U-M community members in response to COVID-19, all buildings implemented a phased closure process following public health and University of Michigan guidelines. Pierpont Commons and the Michigan League closed on Friday, March 27, 2020, and the Michigan Union closed to the public on Saturday, April 11, 2020. All aspects of University Unions quickly moved to a virtual environment.
- CCI added 19 virtual trainings to Canvas, allowing students to work remotely during March and April.
- Involvement drop-ins and organization registration meetings transitioned from in-person to virtual.
- 15,376 virtual participants reached during Commencement Week programs.
- 3,627 in-person meetings and events cancelled between March 12 and June 30 in the Michigan Union, Michigan League, Pierpont Commons, and Palmer Commons.
- 475 Michigan League Inn reservations cancelled between March 12 and June 30.
- 35 staff participated in a voluntary furlough program.
To our students, faculty, staff, partners, visitors and guests for another memorable year.
To learn more about any of the University Unions programs, services or facilities, visit the University Unions website