Graduate Student Handbook

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Campus Activities

Opportunities

The opportunities for entertainment on campus are too numerous and varied to list here. Many events are offered by the Student Activities Office, which plans films, concerts, lectures, art exhibits, and major campus events such as Homecoming. Check the Minnesota Daily, student unions, and specific cultural centers such as Northrop Auditorium, Fredrick R. Weisman Art Museum, Bell Museum of Natural History, Rarig Center, Rec Center, and Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. see http://www.sao.umn.edu/ or http://events.tc.umn.edu/

On-campus performances are given by national and international dance companies, and by the University bands, orchestras, choruses, and ensembles. A steady flow of musical performers visits campus, and countless lecture series bring in big names and small. The University has an active film society, specializing in the best of foreign films.

Campus Unions

Minneapolis campus–Coffman Memorial Union and Coffman’s West Bank Gopher Express Convenience Store, 612-624-INFO (4636), 612-624-6338, http://www.coffman.umn.edu/.

St. Paul campus–St. Paul Student Center, 612-625-9794, http://www.spsc.umn.edu/.

Coffman Memorial Union is the main student union on the Minneapolis campus. Coffman houses student organizations and cultural centers, study space, conference rooms, the Student Activities Office, 400-seat theater, convenience store, games room, the Great Hall and Whole Music Club, and other services such as a post office, copy center, and branches of U.S. Bank and STA Travel. The building recently underwent a $71.5 million renovation that added air conditioning, the main University Bookstore, a variety of food choices, computer lab, more study space, and natural light. Coffman offers films, concerts, lectures, performing arts, and major events. Coffman also maintains the West Bank Skyway Convenience Store and West Bank Auditorium. For the latest news, events, building hours, room reservations, and employment opportunities, see http://www.coffman.umn.edu/

The St. Paul Student Center is home to a full-service contract postal station and information desk, the Gopher Spot Gameroom and Gopher Express Convenience Store, a University bookstore, the Larson Art Gallery, the Terrace Café with a Subway sandwich store, the North Star Ballroom, and other meeting spaces. The center offers concerts, lectures, performances, and other events.

Student Activities Office

The Student Activities Office (SAO), Coffman Union, 612-626-6919 or sao@umn.edu, helps students find groups and activities that match their interests, from joining a group to joining a departmental advisory board. For more information about student groups or other SAO programs, see www.sao.umn.edu.

Recreational Sports

As a University student, you can take advantage of a wide range of activities offered through Recreational (Rec) Sports. The student services fee covers a fee-paying student’s membership. Those who don’t pay the fee can buy a membership at a minimal cost. Spouses and partners can also join Rec Sports, and children are admitted free on Sunday afternoons (when accompanied by a member).
Rec Sports has aquatics, intramural sports, fitness, open recreation, and sport clubs that operate on both the Minneapolis and St. Paul campuses. Facilities include handball/racquetball and squash courts; gymnasiums for volleyball, badminton, and basketball; indoor track; climbing wall; diving and swimming pools; and fitness centers with cardiovascular and strengthening equipment. Intramural leagues include softball, volleyball, basketball, flag football, soccer, and ultimate frisbee. There are 30 sport clubs that are both instructional and competitive, ranging from ballroom dance, to men’s and women’s crew, to martial arts. To find out more, call 612-625-6800 or see www.recsports.umn.edu.

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