Reps. Gonzales, Clack, Zelenko, Gleason, Vagnozzi, Robertson, Hummel, Stahl, Stewart, Sak, Meisner, Murphy, Farrah, Alma Smith, Espinoza, McDowell, Tobocman, Polidori, Byrnes, Accavitti, Kolb, Lipsey, Ward and Byrum offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 314.

A resolution to recognize the University of Michigan-Flint as they commemorate 50 Years of Excellence.

Whereas, In 1944, the Flint Board of Education requested that a University of Michigan Extension Office open in Flint.  Three years later, the Regents of the University funded a study exploring the possibilities for higher education in Flint; and

            Whereas, The community responded enthusiastically to the study which called for the establishment of a four-year liberal arts college in Flint comparable to the College of Literature, Science and the Arts on the Ann Arbor campus; and

            Whereas, The city assisted the university by supplying buildings and land. Money was donated by local philanthropist Charles Stewart Mott.  Cooperation between the community and the University of Michigan brought about the opening of a two-year senior college in 1956, which offered baccalaureate degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and in the professional fields of education and business administration. Approximately 167 junior students enrolled the first semester; and

            Whereas, The Flint Board of Education proposed that the University of Michigan expand the senior college to a four-year institution. The Board of Regents adopted the proposal in 1964. The first freshman class was admitted the next year making the Flint College the first four-year University of Michigan program offered outside of Ann Arbor; and       

            Whereas, In 1970, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredited the Flint College. In 1971, the Regents officially changed the name of the institution to the University of Michigan-Flint. That same year, University of Michigan President Robben Fleming appointed the first Chancellor of the University of Michigan-Flint, William E. Moran; and

            Whereas, Chancellor Moran commissioned an Academic Planning Board to develop a master plan for the university. Responding to the needs of the community, the Board identified major areas of program development for the University, including professional and career-oriented programs.  Subsequent chancellors continued planning for the future growth of the University.  These plans led to the establishment of graduate degrees, new academic units, service units, WFUM-TV, and the expansion of the campus into downtown Flint. Through the combined efforts of Flint citizens and city government, the university acquired 42 acres along the Flint River in 1971. The campus occupied its first building in 1977; and

            Whereas, In 1997, the campus acquired an additional 25 acres immediately north of the Flint River, where the William S. White Building was completed in 2002; and

            Whereas, U-M Flint students choose from over 100 undergraduate and 27graduate programs in the liberal arts and in a number of pre-professional and professional fields. Over 400 faculty members are devoted to the University's standard of excellence in teaching, and the knowledge, skills, and talents of 350 full-time staff members contribute to the success of U-M Flint and the surrounding community; and

            Whereas, In 2006, the University of Michigan – Flint will celebrate 50 Years of Excellence. The expansion of the university remains as a work in progress to meet the needs of the community and to foster a collegiate atmosphere for the more than 6,000 students in pursuit of a quality education; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body recognize the University of Michigan-Flint as they commemorate 50 Years of Excellence, and we encourage all citizens to recognize and applaud the many contributions made by these individuals to enhance the quality of life in this state.