Connecting with Others
Find a Student Group
There are more than 1,000 student groups and organizations on campus that meet regularly, host programs and events, and provide service to the greater Twin Cities area. Use GopherLink to find all student groups, their upcoming events, and their contact information.
Find Student Groups & Organizations
Commuter Student Resources & Groups
As a commuter student, it can be tough to find time outside of school, work, and family. Getting involved on-campus is a great way to meet new people, gain skills and enhance your experience at the University of Minnesota.
Transfer Student Resources & Groups
Transfer Experience Programs are designed to connect transfer students to others and learn more about resources and leadership opportunities specifically for them.
Diversity, Community & Belonging
Find Your Community
There are many different spaces, organizations, and resources that focus on social identity and navigating college life. Explore what is available across campus and where to find community.
Student Cultural Centers
Some of the most influential and active student organizations are the 2nd floor cultural centers in the student union. The 2nd floor offers space for studying and community gathering. Each cultural center provides educational opportunities, social connections, and a safe space for their identity group.
- Al-Madinah Student Cultural Center (AMCC)
- American Indian Student Cultural Center (AISCC)
- Asian American Student Union (ASU)
- Black Student Union (BSU)
- Disabled Student Cultural Center (DSCC)
- Mi Gente Latinx Student Cultural Center
- Queer Student Cultural Center (QSCC)
- Minnesota International Student Association (MISA)
Student Parent Help Center
The Student Parent Help Center (SPHC) assists parents in achieving their dream of a college degree by providing community spaces, child care assistance grants and other funding, a teen parent outreach program, support group, events, and other activities.
Greek Life at the U of M
Membership in a fraternity or sorority is an experience unlike any other in college. Students instantly make a large community smaller and build meaningful relationships that last a lifetime. You join a network that extends far beyond the Twin Cities and engage with leadership development curriculum and programming from the early stages of membership.
Learning Abroad and Away
Learning Abroad
The Learning Abroad Center offers a number of classes and experiences outside the United States. Programs range from short term like over winter and spring break to year long programs. You can choose a program based on location and subject and some programs fulfill certain graduation requirements. There is financial aid and scholarships available.
National Student Exchange (NSE)
The National Student Exchange program gives you the opportunity to study away for a semester or academic year at one of the 200 member institutions throughout the United States, Canada, and U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For many programs, you pay the same U of M tuition and fees!
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Can I do research as an undergraduate student?
Yes! You can get involved in research as soon as you step onto campus. Additionally, some research opportunities are paid and are a great way to prepare for graduate school.
How do I get involved with research?
The Office of Undergraduate Research connects students with research opportunities through a variety of programs. Research includes many different types of activities and opportunities, but all research projects start with a question and a desire to find out more about a topic. You do not need to come up with your own project, but you can!
Volunteer & Service-Learning Opportunities
Community Engaged Learning
The Center for Community-Engaged Learning (CCEL) focuses on immersing students in the local community through volunteering, service-learning classes, and other unique experiential opportunities. CCEL partners with organizations to provide students with opportunities for community work and place-based educational programs.
Community Engaged Learning
Academic courses that offer hands-on project or project based work within the community.
Volunteer Peer Advising
Advising for students and student groups who want to volunteer at organizations outside of the U of M.
Community Engagement Scholars Program
Helps guide students to make meaningful contributions to local communities that compliments your undergraduate education and provides recognition on your transcript when you graduate.
Working on Campus
On-Campus Jobs
There are many wide-ranging opportunities to work on campus while you are a student. On-campus positions become available all the time, so if you are interested in a student job, it can be helpful to let staff in various departments know that you’re looking!
Work Study
What is Work Study?
Work Study awards are a form of financial aid that is available to students with financial need. You must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for a work-study award. Work-study awards are included in your Financial Aid Award Notice.
How does work-study connect to my student job?
Your work-study award is distributed as part of your earned paycheck every two weeks. Remember, you can apply for any student job and then let them know you have work-study. For questions about your work-study award, contact the Office of Student Finance.
Living On and Off Campus
Housing
There are many options for housing on- or off-campus at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
The Firsts - Living Learning Community
Living Learning Communities (LLC) bring students to live together in a dedicated area of a building. By living in an LLC (at no additional cost), you can connect with others who share your interests and goals.
The Firsts is an LLC that brings first-gen students together. Students who live in The Firsts gain an extra layer of support in navigating UMN, increased connections to staff, and a support system of first-generation resources and peers.
Transportation on Campus
Campus Buses
All campus buses are free and come equipped with wheelchair lifts and bike racks. You can track the U of M busses with the Gopher Trip Bus App.
Universal Transit Pass
What is the Universal Transit Pass?
Students who pay the Transportation and Safety Fee have unlimited access to the regional transit system in the Twin Cities metro area (rides on the NorthStar require a small supplemental fare for each ride).
How do I use the Universal Transit Pass?
Your U Card is the pass for this program. When first tapping your U Card at a light rail station or student union activation machine, you should hear a loud beep and a flash "GO".
If you don't see the "GO" message, tap your U Card twice at least one hour apart at any Metro Transit light rail station or at the Coffman/St. Paul Student Center Activation Stations. When you first tap, you will receive a message that says "Invalid." On the second tap, you will receive a "GO" message and hear a loud beep.
After activating, your U Card will work on any bus or light rail train!
Parking on Campus
Student Contract Parking: Parking contracts are sold by semester and must be renewed each semester. Space is limited in some facilities and sold on a first-response basis.
Additionally, other public parking is available on and near campus.
Gopher Way Walking Tunnels & Skyways
The Gopher Way is your way to navigate through the tunnels and skyways that connect many buildings on campus. These are especially useful in the winter to get out of the cold.
Conflict Related to Academic and Student Life
Student Conflict Resolution Center (SCRC) is a confidential, impartial, and informal resource that helps students with University-related problems and concerns. The SCRC website also has Do-It-Yourself resources that address some of the most common student concerns including course success, roommate conflicts, and stress management. The typical problems and concerns include:
- Grading and instructional complaints
- Financial and billing conflicts
- Academic appeals
- Academic progress issues
- Other campus-based problems or concerns
Legal Advice & Representation
Student Legal Service (SLS) provides legal services, representation, and education to students. This is the place to go if you have any legal concerns or problems including landlord/tenant issues (lease reviews, disputes with management, etc.), criminal law (most misdemeanors), immigration questions, or consumer or credit problems.
There are other services offered, too, including a notary public. SLS also offers a variety of programs that cover topics such as interacting with police, business start-up, career mentoring, and tenancy law.