Blog

One great thing about being a Wolverine is receiving all of the free stuff the university gives out to students. I've compiled a list of different free things U-M has for us. Whether you're here already or planning to join us as part of #Victors2023, I hope you take advantage of them!

UMich Water Bottle

Through Planet Blue, U-M branded water bottles are handed out at the New Student Convocation and other campus events. They are the perfect way to help the environment and keep yourself hydrated. There are bottle filling water fountains everywhere across campus to support the use of reusable water bottles. Check out a map of all of the places you can fill up your reusable water bottle here! Interested in getting involved with Planet Blue and their sustainability efforts? Check out their website and events for opportunities to get involved!

Bagels, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate

Stop by the Alumni Center for Welcome Wednesday anytime between 8 a.m. and noon for a free bagel and beverage. All you need is your MCard (UMID) and an appetite! Rotate through many different bagel flavors, including roasted tomato and vanilla cinnamon, slather on some cream cheese, and you’re ready for a great day!

Blue Books

While you’re at the Alumni Center, consider picking up a few free Blue Books. Blue Books are like normal spiral notebooks, except they have only a couple of sheets of paper, and are stapled like a pamphlet. Some classes will require that you use them for exams. Just like bagels, all you need is your MCard!

Blue Bucks

As long as you live in the dorms, you’ll get free $25 Blue Bucks as a part of your meal plan, which you can use at cafes and convenience stores all across campus! They’re perfect for late-night cravings and those moments when you need a travel-size shampoo to carry you through to the next time you can go to Walgreens. Check out all the places you can use Blue Bucks across campus here.

Surveys and studies

One of the cool parts of being at a research university is that there are always hundreds of surveys, studies, and experiments being conducted. You can do everything from test-run a new social media platform to fill out a survey about the availability of healthy food on campus and get paid in cash or through Amazon gift cards for your participation! Keep your eye out for various studies seeking participants on flyers all around campus which can be found on posting walls or bulletin boards in your dorm.

UMix

UMix happens every couple of Friday nights in one of the University’s Unions from 9 p.m. - 1 a.m. Eat from different themed buffets, watch a movie, make a Build-A-Bear, or try out a Human Hamster Ball Track!

Passport to the Arts

Check out the Community Centers (front desk where you’ll check in and get your room key at the beginning of the year) at various residence halls across campus for free tickets to various arts and culture events throughout Ann Arbor via Passport to the Arts! You can go see an Oscar Nominated Short at the Michigan Theater or the Michigan Pops Orchestra show with a free ticket.