University of Missouri–Kansas City: Difference between revisions

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}

{{Infobox university

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==History==

===University of Missouri–Kansas City===

 

On July 25, 1963, at the urging of alumnus [[Hilary A. Bush]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121020074450/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=0EAF3DC326BD8AFF&p_docnum=1&s_orderid=NB0109081715312923076&s_dlid=DL0109081715315323152&s_ecproduct=DOC&s_ecprodtype=&s_trackval=&s_siteloc=KC&s_referrer=&s_username=americasroof&s_accountid=AC0108122400392400643&s_upgradeable=no ''The Kansas City Star'' – May 22, 1992]</ref> the university became part of the [[University of Missouri System]] and $20 million of assets including 23 buildings were transferred to the University of Missouri. At the time, KCU had 3,300 students (2,000 full-time) and 175 full-time faculty.<ref>K.C.U., M.U. Plan a Merger – ''Kansas City Times'' – February 26, 1963</ref>

 

At the time Missouri already owned the campuses in [[Columbia, Missouri|Columbia]] and [[Rolla, Missouri|Rolla]]. Accordingly, the university's name was changed to the University of Missouri–Kansas City. After this, UMKC established the School of Graduate Studies in 1964, the School of Medicine in 1970, the School of Nursing in 1980, the School of Basic Life Sciences in 1985 (which was renamed the School of Biological Sciences in the mid-1990s), and the School of Computing and Engineering in 2001.

 

 

In the mid and late 2010s, UMKC came under fire for corruption and cover-ups that alleged a pursuit of outside money above all else.<ref>[https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article231135763.html "After hiding details about student’s death, UMKC needs to change its cover-up culture"]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sentinelksmo.org/still-another-umkc-prof-accused-of-exploiting-foreign-students/|title=UMKC Prof Accused of "Modern Slavery"|first=Jack|last=Cashill|date=November 19, 2018}}</ref> Critics highlighted examples in the management school and pharmaceutical school, including a faculty member who required international students to perform personal tasks for him and false information used to rank the business school.<ref>[https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article221876590.html "UMKC widens investigation after Star found professor used his students as servants"]</ref><ref>[https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article220872325.html "Professor used students as servants"]</ref><ref>[https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article9640337.html "UMKC chancellor apologizes for use of flawed data in pursuit of rankings"]</ref><ref>[https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article9463514.html "Bloch School leader: No. 1 ranking lacked credibility"]</ref><ref>[https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article811481.html "A deceptive jobs claim keeps cropping up at Bloch School"]</ref>

 

==Academics==

[[File:UMKC Nima 31.jpg|thumb|Bloch School of Executive Management]]

* the College of Arts and Sciences

* the Conservatory of Music and Dance

* the [[Henry W. Bloch School of Management]]

* the [https://sse.umkc.edu/ School of Science and Engineering]

* the [[University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Dentistry|School of Dentistry]]

* the School of Education

* the School of Graduate Studies<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.umkc.edu/academics/ |title=Schools and Departments |publisher=Umkc.edu |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref>

 

 

[[File:TRUMAN 58-766-06 (cropped).jpg|thumb|180px|[[Harry S. Truman]]]]

The [[University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law|School of Law]] is one of four law schools in Missouri ([[St. Louis University School of Law]], [[University of Missouri School of Law]], and [[Washington University School of Law]] are the others). It is one of only seven American law schools to have educated both a [[President of the United States]] ([[Harry S. Truman]]) and a Justice of the [[Supreme Court of the United States]] ([[Charles Evans Whittaker]]). Truman attended but did not graduate from the law school and never practiced law. The schools that actually have had President-Supreme Court graduates who practiced law are [[Yale Law School]], [[Harvard Law School]], [[Columbia Law School]], the [[University of Virginia School of Law]], the [[William & Mary Law School]] and the [[University of Cincinnati College of Law]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lsac.org/LSACResources/Publications/2011OG/lsac6872.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=September 22, 2011 |archive-date=November 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106021521/http://lsac.org/LSACResources/Publications/2011OG/lsac6872.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

 

 

In 2004, the [[Fungal Genetics Stock Center]] moved to UMKC where it is in the School of Biological Sciences. The FGSC was founded in 1960 and is supported by the US [[National Science Foundation]]. The FGSC distributes research materials around the world, and is part of the [[World Federation for Culture Collections]]. Collaborators include researchers at the [[Broad Institute]] and the US Department of Energy [[Joint Genome Institute]].

The university is the site where the [[Supplemental Instruction]] program was established and developed.<ref>Burmeister, S. L. (1996). Supplemental Instruction: An interview with Deanna Martin. Journal of Developmental Education, 20(1), 22-24, 26</ref>

 

{{Infobox US university ranking

| ARWU_NU = 176-181

| ARWU_W = 701-800

| USNWR_NU = 249 (2022)<ref name="auto2">https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/umkc-2518 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2022}}</ref>

| USNWR_W = 657 (2022)<ref>https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/university-of-missouri-kansas-city-178402 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2022}}</ref>

| THE_WSJ = 327 (2022)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/university-missouri-kansas-city|title=University of Missouri-Kansas City|date=October 19, 2021|website=Times Higher Education (THE)}}</ref>

| Wamo_NU = 331 (2021)<ref name="auto3"/>

}}

 

{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible collapsed" style="float:right; clear:right; text-align:center"

|-

In 2014, ''[[Princeton Review]]'' named the university a "Best Value" public university, for the third consecutive year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://info.umkc.edu/news/umkc-earns-national-best-value-ranking/ |title=UMKC Earns National 'Best Value' Ranking &#124; UMKC Today |publisher=Info.umkc.edu |date=January 28, 2014 |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref>

 

 

 

==Athletics==

UMKC's mascot is Kasey [[Kangaroo]] (originally drawn by [[Walt Disney]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://info.umkc.edu/unews/a-pouch-of-roo-history-umkc-mascot-was-born-in-walt-disneys-studio/ |title=A pouch of 'Roo history: UMKC mascot was born in Walt Disney's studio – University News &#124; |publisher=Info.umkc.edu |date=October 22, 2012 |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref> Historically, UMKC athletics had used the identity of "UMKC Kangaroos," but the short form "Roos" was widely used both within and outside of the program. On July 1, 2019, the athletic program officially rebranded itself as the Kansas City Roos.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.umkckangaroos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18300&ATCLID=211806301 |title=UMKC Athletics Completes New Brand Identity |publisher=Kansas City Athletics |date=July 1, 2019 |access-date=July 1, 2019}}</ref> The school's colors are old gold and [[royal blue]]. It is a member of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]'s [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] [[Summit League]], having rejoined that conference on July 1, 2020, after seven years in the [[Western Athletic Conference]].<ref>{{Cite press release |url=http://www.umkckangaroos.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18300&ATCLID=211805709 |title=Kansas City Roo Athletics Rejoins Summit League |publisher=Kansas City Athletics |date=June 20, 2019 |access-date=June 21, 2019}}</ref>

 

 

The department sponsors: men's basketball and women's basketball, men's soccer and women's soccer, men's tennis and women's tennis, men's golf and women's golf, men's indoor and outdoor track & field and women's indoor and outdoor track & field, men's cross country and women's cross country, softball, and volleyball. The men's and women's basketball teams play at [[Swinney Recreation Center]]. UMKC sponsors 16 sports for both men and women at the intercollegiate level. In April 2007, the school dropped its Co-Ed Rifle Program in order to add women's soccer and men's baseball. Women's soccer was added to the institution for the 2009–10 school year.

 

==Campuses==

 

===Volker Campus===

[[File:UMKC Nima 02.jpg|thumb|Durwood Stadium is located in the middle of campus. The Plaza is in the background.]]

 

 

 

===Buildings===

 

Built in 1972, the Biological Sciences Building is located north of the Spencer Chemistry Building and east of Katz Hall. The building houses offices, classrooms, and research laboratories of the School of Biological Sciences. The school offers undergrad, grad, and doctoral degrees in the [[life sciences]]. The Biological Sciences Building and Spencer Chemistry Building are connected on four of its floors; in addition to this, the south stairwell on the basement floor of the Biological Sciences Building is the north stairwell of the Spencer Chemistry Building.

 

The Fine Arts Building was built in 1942 and remodeled in 1975. Currently, the Art and Art History departments use the building. Student works are often displayed in the building's UMKC Gallery of Art.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/finearts.asp|title=Fine Arts Building|date=December 11, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051211092317/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/finearts.asp |archive-date=December 11, 2005 }}</ref>

 

 

The building, located at 51st & Rockhill, was built in 1972 using funds donated by Helen Spencer. The purpose of the building was to nurture scientific advancement at UMKC. It currently houses the main office of the Chemistry Department, as well as several chemistry laboratories and classrooms. Spencer Chemistry Building and the Biological Sciences Building are connected on four of its floors.

 

The majority of UMKC's students regularly attend classes in buildings on the Quad. These buildings are Flarsheim Hall, Newcomb Hall, Manheim Hall, Royall Hall, Haag Hall, and Scofield Hall.

 

Cockefair, (pronounced coke-fair), is located on Rockhill across from Flarsheim Hall. It was built in 1950 and is named for former faculty member Carolyn Cockefair, who was a humanities professor at UMKC. The building currently houses the departments of History, English, and Philosophy.

 

Flarsheim Hall was built in 1999, and is the largest building on UMKC's campus. The Chemistry, Physics, and Geosciences departments, as well as the School of Computing and Engineering, are located in Flarsheim Hall. The hall was named after Robert H. Flarsheim, who left a $9 million endowment to the university in his estate. Flarsheim Hall is located on the northeast corner of the Quad.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/flarsheim.asp |title=Flarsheim Hall |website=www.umkc.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051211092251/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/flarsheim.asp |archive-date=2005-12-11}}</ref>

 

[[File:Haag Hall, located on the UMKC Quad.jpg|thumb|Haag Hall]]

Haag Hall (pronounced Hāg), built in 1937, contains offices and classrooms including the departments of mathematics and communication studies. Its most recognizable features are large murals stretching along the main stairwell. Haag Hall is connected to both Royall and Flarsheim Halls. Haag Hall is located on the southeast corner of the Quad.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/haag.asp |title=Haag Hall |website=www.umkc.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051220152725/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/haag.asp |archive-date=2005-12-20}}</ref>

 

Completed in 1965, Katz Hall is named in honor of Isaac and Michael Katz, founders of a major Kansas City drug store chain. The building currently houses the Department of Architecture, Urban Planning + Design's offices and classrooms, and was once the location for the School of Pharmacy. The Pharmacy School has moved to the Health Sciences Building on UMKC's Hospital Hill campus, approximately four miles north of the Volker Campus.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/katz-hall.asp |title=Katz Hall - UMKC Virtual Tour |website=www.umkc.edu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527193634/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/katz-hall.asp |archive-date=2010-05-27}}</ref>

 

Manheim Hall, along with Newcomb Hall were the first two buildings originally built for the university. It is named for [[Ernest Manheim]], a professor of sociology, who taught at the university and founded its sociology program. Currently, Manheim Hall houses offices. It is connected to Royall Hall by a second-floor walkway. Manheim is located on the southwest corner of the Quad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/manheim.asp|title=Manheim Hall|date=September 3, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903151615/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/manheim.asp |archive-date=September 3, 2006 }}</ref>

 

Newcomb Hall (built in 1936) was named after the first manager of the university, Ernest H. Newcomb. Originally designed to house the library, Newcomb Hall is now home to offices, the University Archives, the Western Historical Manuscript Collection and the Edgar Snow Collections. Newcomb Hall is located on the extreme west edge of the quad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/newcomb.asp|title=Newcomb Hall|date=September 3, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903151655/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/newcomb.asp |archive-date=September 3, 2006 }}</ref>

 

 

Scofield Hall was built in 1912, and was originally a private residence. In 1931, William Volker acquired it and donated it to the university. It was named after Carleton Scofield, who was chancellor of the university when it merged with the [[University of Missouri System]]. The Arts & Sciences advising office as well as the Language Resource Center and the Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures are located in Scofield Hall. Scofield Hall is located on the north end of the Quad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/scofield.asp|title=Scofield Hall|date=December 11, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051211092924/http://www.umkc.edu/virtualtour/scofield.asp |archive-date=December 11, 2005 }}</ref>

 

[[File:Epperson House.jpg|thumb|Epperson House]]

 

 

The University Center (known as the "U-Center") was built in 1961. The student dining hall is located here, as is Pierson Auditorium, an often used site for career fairs or luncheons. In 2012, the University Center underwent renovations and was rededicated as the Atterbury Student Success Center. It was designed to promote student academic success.

 

 

 

Known on campus simply as the PAC (Performing Arts Center), this building partially houses the Conservatory of Music and Dance and the Department of Theatre, as well as the [[Kansas City Repertory Theatre]]. The PAC, designed by [[Kivett and Myers]], opened in 1979 and contains White Recital Hall, [[Helen F. Spencer]] Theatre, and a black box theatre space, Studio 116.

 

A proposal for a new downtown arts campus got a funding boost on June 26, 2013, with a $20 million challenge grant from the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation, but an additional $70 million needs to be raised. The backers say a new campus will increase the profile of the university's arts programs and the new performing arts facility. The first phase involves moving the university's Conservatory of Music and Dance to a location in the Crossroads District. Other programs would be moved in subsequent phases.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/effort-begins-to-move-umkc-conservatory-downtown/article_50e47ae2-4d44-5234-a353-3fdbaeca336d.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130629085615/http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/effort-begins-to-move-umkc-conservatory-downtown/article_50e47ae2-4d44-5234-a353-3fdbaeca336d.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 29, 2013 |title=Effort begins to move UMKC Conservatory downtown |work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]] |date=June 27, 2013 }}</ref>

 

==Housing==

 

[[File:UMKC Nima 41.jpg|thumb|Student Union, overlooking The Plaza]]

Cherry Street Hall is a former dormitory located at 5030 Cherry Street on the UMKC Volker campus. It was constructed in 1955 and had a more traditional dormitory style. The building had 168 single, double, and triple rooms, housing approximately 300 students. Each floor was segregated by gender and shared a communal bathroom. Students often viewed Cherry Street Hall as offering more opportunities for social interaction compared to Oak Street. The building ceased being a student residence in 2009. In 2011, the Psychology Department relocated to the renovated Cherry Hall.

 

Twin Oaks Apartments, formerly situated at 5000 Oak Street, were purchased by the university in 1998 to accommodate students who desired more independent living arrangements than the traditional dormitories could offer. Over time, the buildings began to deteriorate, and in 2002, the university determined that demolishing Twin Oaks and constructing a new residence hall in its place would be more cost-effective. As a result, UMKC stopped leasing to new tenants in 2005 and granted current tenants an extended grace period to find alternative housing. The buildings were entirely vacated by 2006. In September 2006, the Kansas City Fire Department utilized Twin Oaks for firefighter training. The buildings were then demolished with a wrecking ball in November 2006 and the process was completed in 2007.

 

Completed in 2004, Oak Street Hall is located at 5051 Oak Street. The five-story building houses approximately 559 students in single room and suite-style two-bedroom suites. The ground level is a large common lobby with a kitchen, laundry facility, music practice rooms, pool tables and a widescreen television set. On floors 2–5, kitchenettes, vending machines, quiet study rooms and social lounges comprise the common areas. Oak Hall was set as the quality standard for the UMKC 30-year Master Plan.

 

 

 

Construction on Herman and Dorothy Johnson Hall began in 2008, and it is situated on the UMKC Volker Campus, north of Oak Place Apartments. The four-story building opened its doors to students in 2009 and has a capacity to house up to 328 students in traditional dormitory-style living arrangements. The suites consist of single and double occupancy rooms that share a bathroom, and the building has gender-segregated floors. Amenities available to students include music practice rooms, a computer lab, laundry facilities, and outdoor green space.

 

 

===Greek life===

 

Greek Life at UMKC traces its origins to 1936, with the establishment of the Bounders Fraternity. The Bounders was the first social organization recognized by the University of Kansas City, and the fraternity originated many of UMKC's school traditions. The Bounders even led the push for the removal of university president Clarence Decker. Decker's resignation in 1953 opened the door for both intercollegiate athletics and national Greek organizations on campus. In 1956, the Bounders petitioned [[Delta Chi]] and received a charter. Delta Chi became the first national fraternity to charter on the UMKC campus. The Delta Rho chapter of [[Alpha Phi Alpha]] was founded four years earlier, in 1952; however, it was originally chartered at nearby [[Rockhurst University]] and did not submit its charter for official recognition by UMKC until 1963.<ref name="umkc.edu">{{cite web|url=http://www.umkc.edu/commencement/content.cfm?id=20 |title=UMKC Commencement |publisher=Umkc.edu |date=May 12, 1989 |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref>

!|Interfraternity Council

!|[[National Pan-Hellenic Council]]

!|Professional Fraternities

|-

| style="vertical-align:top;"|

* ''[[Sigma Delta Tau]]'' (1967–1971)

*'''[[Delta Zeta]]''' (1987–present)

| style="vertical-align:top;"|

* ''[[Delta Chi]]'' (1956–2002)

* ''[[Alpha Epsilon Pi]]'' (1956–1972)

* ''[[Sigma Tau Gamma]]'' (1969–1991)

*'''[[Sigma Alpha Epsilon]]''' (2006–present)

| style="vertical-align:top;"|

* [[Alpha Kappa Psi]] (business)

* [[Alpha Phi Omega]] (service)

* [[Phi Delta Phi]] (law)

* [[Psi Omega]] (dental)

|}

 

===Traditions===

 

One of the best known traditions in the history of UMKC was Hobo Day, later known as Bum Friday. The campus-wide event was created as Hobo Day, and it first occurred on May 8, 1935, to celebrate the end of the spring semester. Students dressed as hobos throughout the day, and various events and competitions took place. The day started with the Hobo parade, and then everyone gathered in the quad where university president Clarence Decker would read a proclamation that he was cancelling classes and turning the university over to the students. President Decker was an appropriate master of ceremonies for the day, as he had lived the life of a [[hobo]] during a portion of his younger years. Events throughout the day included beard growing contests, pie eating contests, glee club performances, skits satirizing campus life, car rallies, talent shows, and athletic contests. The Bum Friday Queen and the Most Fascinating Man were crowned, and the day ended with a dance in which students switched out their bum attire for formal wear. Awards for the daytime activities were presented at the dance. A bonfire closed out the evening. In 1951, Hobo Day was renamed Bum Friday, although the activities essentially remained the same. In 1982, the Student Life Office put a stop to Bum Friday and replaced it with "Roo Fest", which lacked many of the activities and traditions of Bum Friday and its predecessor, Hobo Day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://info.umkc.edu/unews/hobo-day-a-tradition-of-the-past/ |title=Hobo Day: a tradition of the past – University News &#124; |publisher=Info.umkc.edu |date=October 15, 2013 |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://info.umkc.edu/perspectives/campus-news/2606/ |title=Birth and death of a tradition &#124; |publisher=Info.umkc.edu |date=May 8, 1935 |access-date=August 27, 2015}}</ref>

 

 

==Notable alumni and faculty==

{{DEFAULTSORT:Missouri-Kansas City, University Of}}

[[Category:University of Missouri–Kansas City| ]]

[[Category:1933 establishments in Missouri]]

[[Category:Public universities and colleges in Missouri|University of Missouri-Kansas City]]