Organizations and Activities

Student life at U-M offers the kind of thoroughly engaging opportunities a major public university affords: the kind of opportunities that extend beyond the classroom, enabling students to learn the lessons of leadership, connect with one another and a myriad of on- and off-campus communities, explore new worlds, or simply have fun.

With more than 1,600 registered, student-run clubs and organizations on campus, and meaningful community engagement and social justice work, you’ll definitely find yourself here. 

Housing and Dining

What are the benefits to living on the University of Michigan campus? Community, for one. At an institution of more than 40,000 students, it’s nice to have a place to call home, somewhere you can learn the lessons of living together with others, and build real friendships, some of which will last your entire life.

Most first-year students live on campus in one of our residence halls. Social and academic support is available through live-in staff or resident assistants who will be there to help you through any number of personal, intellectual, social, and life issues and decisions. We also offer a variety of residential living/learning programs that allow students with similar interests or goals to live and study together in community and to meet students from other countries, cultures, and backgrounds. 

Several meal plans make it easy for you to dine in any one of many campus eateries, including residential dining halls and cafes. U-M Dining is proud to buy fresh produce directly from the student-run U-M campus farm. From international cuisine to vegetarian entrees to gourmet pizzas, dining at Michigan is all about options. Many dining locations feature mobile ordering with the GET food app. 

Our Campus and City

Life is excellent on this quintessential American campus designed to fit every need. The city of Ann Arbor is considered one of the nation’s best college towns, and one of America’s most bike-friendly and sustainable communities, with art and culture everywhere — theater, music, literature, and lectures. With talented faculty and students from around the world, there are always interesting activities on campus! 

Athletics and Recreation

From its famous winged football helmet and maize-and-blue uniforms — one of the most recognizable icons in American sports — to its domination on the world stage in the Olympics, our intercollegiate athletics program has a long tradition of winning and a legacy of championship teams.

There’s no spirit like U-M spirit. Whenever you see the maize-and blue take the field in The Big House, you’ll soar along with over 100,000 other cheering Wolverines. And because most athletics events are free for students (with a few exceptions), you’ll find it easy to become a highly active fan. 

At the same time, this is a place where you can be more than just a spectator. With more than 30 club and 25 intramural sports, plus esports, you can strive for victory on numerous teams. In our Recreational Sports program, our team of passionate professionals is focused on giving you the very best physical fitness, adventure, and sports experiences possible. Besides the running, biking, and walking opportunities on a 3,177-acre campus, you’ll find a good deal of space dedicated to state-of-the art fitness facilities. 

Student Services

The Office of New Student Programs (ONSP) provides abundant services and specially designed programs to help you grow into your new college life, face new challenges, and find new opportunities at U-M. Programs include:

The Office of Services for Students with Disabilities supports the university’s commitment to equity and diversity by providing support services and academic accommodations to students with disabilities. SSD shares information, promotes awareness of disability issues, and provides support of a decentralized system of access for students within the university community. Registering with SSD is highly encouraged. SSD serves as a student advocacy agency and can assist you in obtaining appropriate accommodations.

Diversity

A dynamic mix of people, cultures, backgrounds, nationalities, ideas, and ways of seeing the world — this is the foundation of U-M's commitment to equity and inclusion. We draw students with diverse socioeconomic, cultural, religious, global, political, and academic backgrounds — from first-generation students to Native Americans to international students from Zambia — for one crucial reason. Ultimately, the interactions and discussions that happen in relation to differences — both in understanding and affirming them — may be the most important lessons you will learn as you prepare for life in the 21st century. We have devoted a number of resources to help you find success at Michigan. 

  • Thousands of U-M students who are among the first generation in their family to attend and graduate from college are supported through First Gen programming and resources.
  • The Spectrum Center uses sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as a framework to enrich the campus experience. The center works toward enhancing the campus climate and supports services for LGBTQ+ students, staff, and faculty through education, advocacy, and community-building.  
  • The Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI) is a student-focused office on central campus that works to provide resources, opportunities, and experiences that enrich students’ academic, social, cultural, and personal development. 
  • The Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA) provides support to all students through programming that promotes cross-collaboration, builds intercultural and leadership skills, and empowers students to address social justice issues. 

Health and Safety

We’ve been graduating successful undergraduates for a long time, and for one important reason — we care about the lives and academic careers of each student.

Part of our success comes from creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment that allows U-M students to thrive. This includes providing a safe campus and secure housing, as well as high-quality health services and resources where all students can feel comfortable seeking the advice and help they need.

U-M's University Health Service promotes and protects the health of students and provides a variety of educational programs, and is the primary health care provider for Michigan students. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is committed to providing U-M's diverse student body with positive pathways to mental health. The Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center (SAPAC) fosters a respectful campus for all — including revising Title IX guidelines and implementing Sexual Misconduct Policies.