2004-2005 CAMPUS FACTBOOK AND
STANDARD SURVEY RESPONSE
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, CROOKSTON 
This document is a general factbook for information about the Crookston Campus of the
University of Minnesota. It also serves as a standard response to college guide and other
surveys. The document is based on the 2004-05 Common Data Set developed by the College
Board, along with a consortium of higher education groups and guidebook publishers. 
(A listing of the CDS questions and definitions can be found at
<http://www.commondataset.org>).
Campus Profile
The University of Minnesota, Crookston, established in 1965 on the foundation of the Northwest 
School of Agriculture, offers academic programs that balance theory and application to prepare
 its graduates for 21st century careers.  As the only four-year polytechnic in Minnesota, UMC’s 
technology-rich educational environment and unique set of baccalaureate programs prepare 
graduates for rewarding careers, to meet the demands of contemporary society, and to create the 
social and economic basis for regional sustainability and statewide progress.  UMC is an 
adaptive pioneer with a strong entrepreneurial spirit.  The campus has continued on a course 
of continual change and improvement, growing stronger and providing students with more 
quality opportunities each year.  
Founded 1905
Leadership  
Joseph Massey, Chief Executive Officer
Degrees offered
Bachelor of Applied Health
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Manufacturing Management
Associate in Applied Science
Associate in Science
Programs offered (see below)
19 four-year degrees
6 two-year degrees
Fall 2004 enrollment
Undergraduate 1,152
Non-degree 936
Total 2,088
Undergraduate Degrees Awarded (FY 2004) 226
Alumni (FY 2003)
Living Alumni 5,828
Staff (FY 2004)
Civil Service/ Bargaining Unit 97
Professional and Administrative 93
Expenditures (FY 2004) $21,747,585
Number of buildings 32 (358,000 assignable square feet)
Campus
UMC has a 237-acre campus located on the northern edge of Crookston. The college is 
situated in one of the richest and most diversified agricultural regions in the United States, 
the Red River Valley.
College facilities consist of 32 buildings. The attractive grounds include flower gardens
bordering a spacious mall and a natural history area that contains virgin prairie land. The college has 
many well-equipped special purpose laboratories to support its instructional programs. More than 
three-fourths of the general purpose classrooms are equipped with an overhead projection system and 
electrical power and Internet access at every student seat. Instruction is supported by computer and
two-way, audio-video interactive television connections to other higher education institutions and 
high schools. Facilities built within the last decade include an indoor animal science arena and 
equine stable; an outdoor recreational and athletic complex; a horticulture complex, including four 
crop production greenhouses; an environmental science facility, and an early childhood center.
Accreditation
UMC’s associate and bachelor’s degree programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, 
a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Suite 2400, 30 North 
LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60602. The dietetic technician program is approved by the 
American Dietetic Association.
The Community
Crookston is located in the Red River Valley, one of the world’s richest agricultural areas. Immigration 
to the area began when the St. Paul & Pacific announced in 1872 that a railroad route was to extend to the 
Canadian border and would cross the Red Lake River where the city now stands. In 1879 the existing 
settlement was incorporated and named Crookston, after Colonel William Crooks, chief engineer of 
the railroad.
The early economic foundation of the area was based on fur and lumber trade, but quickly changed to 
farming. Starting as a trail point near a river crossing for the squeaky Red River fur carts, the young town 
soon became a center for sodbusters. For 20 years it was also a major timber center. Since World War II, 
Crookston has prospered from the development of large agricultural products processing plants and 
manufacturing industries. Among its outstanding industrial enterprises are the largest plant for edible 
sunflower seed processing in the United States and one of the largest plants for sugar beet 
processing in the world. Other industries include a fiberglass and injection molding plant, a metal 
fabrication plant, and a city bus manufacturer.
Crookston offers many health care facilities, including a modern community hospital, an expanded medical 
clinic, a mental health center, a chemical dependency treatment facility, and several dental clinics.
Crookston’s location provides opportunities for hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing, and other outdoor 
activities. The community also has abundant recreational facilities, including a regulation nine-hole 
golf course, a twelve-lane bowling alley, a movie theater, two indoor skating arenas, an indoor 
community swimming pool, an outdoor athletic complex with multiple softball diamonds and tennis courts, 
and an attractive campsite in a city park. Crookston is only 30 minutes from Grand Forks, North Dakota, 
which has a population of more than 70,000 and offers additional opportunities for shopping, entertainment,
 and other services, including the University of North Dakota and the Grand Forks International Airport.
Features
UMC is nationally known as the original “Laptop University” providing every full-time 
student and faculty member with a notebook computer and Internet access virtually 
everywhere on campus. Nearly 200 colleges and universities from across the globe 
have sent representatives to learn more about UMC's technology initiatives and to see 
the distinctive mobile computing environment enjoyed by UMC students, faculty, and 
staff. Students gain a technological edge in the job market because of their day-to-day 
experience with computer technology within their selected major. UMC’s polytechnic 
mission balances academic theory and hands-on application and all students complete 
an internship within their major.
Honors
UMC has been ranked a U.S. News "Best College" for 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004 in the
"Midwest Public Colleges" category.
Yahoo! Internet Life Online ranked UMC the number one "Most Wired College in America" in its
category in January 2001.
UMC's technology initiatives have been featured in the The Wall Street Journal, Converge Magazine,
Online Learning Magazine, and on Minnesota Public Radio.
Bachelor of Science Degree
Accounting B.S.
Agricultural Business B.S.
- Sustainable Development
Agricultural Education B.S.
- Agricultural Science and Technology Education
- Natural and Managed Environmental Education
Agricultural Systems Management B.S.
- Farm and Ranch Management
- Power and Machinery
- Precision Agriculture
Animal Industries Management B.S.
Applied Studies B.S.
- Applied Studies
- Respiratory Care
Aviation B.S.
- Agricultural Aviation
- Business Aviation
- Natural Resources Aviation
- Law Enforcement Aviation
Business Management B.S.
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
- Management
- Marketing
Communication B.S.
Computer Software Technology B.S.
Early Childhood Education B.S.
- Primary Education
- Program Management
Equine Industries Management B.S.
Golf Facilities and Turf Systems B.S.
Health Management B.S.
Health Sciences Pre-Professional B.S.
- Pre-Chiropractic Track
- Pre-Dentistry Track
- Pre-Medicine Track
- Pre-Occupational Therapy Track
- Pre-Pharmacy Track
- Pre-Physical Therapy Track
- Pre-Veterinary Medicine Track
Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management B.S.
- Food Service Administration
- Hotel and Restaurant Management
- Resort and Spa Management
Information Technology Management B.S.
- Application Development
- E-learning Technology
- Systems Administration
Natural Resources B.S.
- Natural Resource Management
- Natural Resource Law Enforcement
- Park Management
- Water Resource Management
- Wildlife Management
Plant Industries Management B.S.
- Agronomy
- Horticulture
Sport and Recreation Management B.S.
Applied Bachelor Degree
Bachelor of Applied Health (B.A.H.)
Bachelor of Manufacturing Management (B.M.M)
Minors
Business Management
Information Technology Management
Music
Sports and Recreation Management – Coaching
Technical Communications
Associate Degree
Agriculture A.A.S
Business A.S.
Dietetic Technician A.A.S.
Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management A.A.S.
Information Management A.A.S.
Marketing and Management A.A.S.
Certificate Programs
Applied Health
Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management
Manufacturing