University of Minnesota Rochester
 |
|
| Type | Multi-faceted publicly funded campus |
|---|---|
| Established | 1966 |
| Chancellor | Stephen Lehmkuhle |
|
Academic staff
|
13 as of 2015[update] |
|
Administrative staff
|
88 as of 2015[update] |
| Students | 366 full-time as of 2015[update] |
| Location |
Rochester, Minnesota, U.S. 44°01′21″N 92°27′49″W / 44.02250°N 92.46361°WCoordinates: 44°01′21″N 92°27′49″W / 44.02250°N 92.46361°W |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colors | Maroon & Gold |
| Website | www |
The University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR) is the newest campus of the University of Minnesota system, having been formally established in December 2006. UMR offers undergraduate and graduate programs available on campus in Rochester, Minnesota located downtown near the Mayo Clinic. Although it was not officially established until 2006, the different campuses of the University of Minnesota system have offered classes in Rochester since 1966.
Rochester legislators and community advocates started the campaign to increase University of Minnesota presence in Rochester as early as the 1950s. Programs based on economic development, such as engineering, education, and math, began being offered in 1966 as a satellite site of the U of M. In the early 1990s, an educational coalition was formed with Rochester Community College and Winona State University-Rochester to form the University Center Rochester – 3 institutions, 2 systems, 1 campus.
In 1998, Rochester was recognized by the legislature as a branch of the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus. This designation allowed the Rochester site to develop its own leadership structure and to begin expanding its programs.
In 2000, the University heightened efforts to grow both the programs and reach of the Rochester branch by adding a new Provost to lead the campus and increasing staff to accommodate this growth.
The current University of Minnesota Rochester began to take form in January 2005 when then-Governor Tim Pawlenty announced in his State of the State address that southeastern Minnesota was underserved by public higher education and a plan to initiate research into what was necessary to solve the problem.
Governor Tim Pawlenty formed the Rochester Higher Education Development Committee (RHEDC) and appointed local business owner Marilyn Stewart to lead the group. The committee consisted of representatives from other public and private education institutions, area business leaders, and leaders in health care. The group’s charge was to formulate a plan to advance higher education in southeastern Minnesota.
The RHEDC eventually identified the need for an institution that could drive and support key economic growth factors for the region and to do so through education, research, and outreach. The group recognized the University of Minnesota as the only institution in a position to carry out this ideal. An RHEDC report was drafted and delivered to Governor Pawlenty. The recommendation was adopted by the Governor, the legislature and the University of Minnesota Board of Regents.
In 2006, the University of Minnesota Rochester was designated as a full and official coordinate campus of the University of Minnesota system, and shortly after, selection of a downtown location to grow the campus began. The number of staff grew quickly afterwards (see chart in Administration section).
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