Biological Station on Beaver Island
Central Michigan University Biological Station (CMUBS) is located on Beaver Island in northern Lake Michigan about 32 miles northwest of Charlevoix. These facilities, nestled among 48 acres of pristine habitat, are located on the eastern shore of Beaver Island, and are about six miles south of the island’s only village, St. James. CMUBS offers a diversity of academic courses during the spring and summer months and provides research facilities throughout the year. A spacious Academic Center with state-of-the-art teaching laboratories, computer laboratory, library, and full-mediated lecture room is available and equipped to accommodate courses that rely on both laboratory and field experiences. A bookstore, natural history museum and research buildings are also provided as classroom support. Additionally, CMU owns 310 acres elsewhere on the island that serve a variety of field courses offered at the station by providing highly diverse sites for field trips, research and other activities. CMU also owns the completely renovated former Coast Guard boathouse, located on Whiskey Point in St. James at the north end of the island, which houses research vessels and a state-of-the-art experimental mesocosm facility.
Students reside in either dormitories or rustic cabins in the modern CMU campground, eat in the cafeteria and relax and study in the spacious Matt and Ellie Hohn main lodge. Its location among a variety of natural habitats makes CMUBS an ideal location for a biological station. For more information, contact cmubs@cmich.edu or see https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/se/cmubs/Pages/default.aspx.
Brooks Observatory
The Brooks Astronomical Observatory, located atop Brooks Hall, is administered by the Department of Physics. The dome contains a modern 16-inch telescope and an observation platform for naked eye or small telescope observing. It offers an excellent view of the campus.
The observatory facilities are open to students and the public one evening each month during the academic year. Weather permitting, visitors can view celestial objects with the telescope. Contact the Department of Physics for open night schedules or to arrange special viewing sessions for groups. Further information about the observatory and the open nights can be found at: https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/college-science-engineering/centers/brooks-astronomical-observatory.
Neithercut Woodland
Neithercut Woodland, an area of approximately 252 acres, is located about four and a half miles northwest of the village of Farwell on Michigan Route 115. This natural woodland area was a gift to CMU by William A. Neithercut, class of 1909. The Woodland contains three hiking trails. Exhibits, demonstrations, and experimental facilities for developing innovative approaches to environmental education are also available at Neithercut Woodland. The McNeel Center building is constructed of cedar logs and its 1,900 square feet of floor space provides a central meeting room, kitchenette, laboratory, storage area and rest rooms. Up to 50 people can be accommodated in the center. Neithercut Woodland is available for students and the public on a year-round basis. For information, call 989-774-3227.
The Museum of Cultural and Natural History
The Museum of Cultural & Natural History in Rowe Hall is devoted to formal and informal learning through the study of real objects. The museum’s foundation rests on its extensive collections of anthropology and archaeology, geology, Michigan history, and zoology. Collection items are available for use by faculty, staff and students to enhance classroom learning and are loaned to school groups in the region. The museum also serves as the laboratory for the Museum Studies minor and Cultural Resource Management master’s program.
Faculty in anthropology, art, biology, geology and history regularly make use of collections, exhibits and learning laboratories. In addition, programs are scheduled in the Gerald L. Poor School Museum, a one-room schoolhouse located at the corner of Preston and West Campus Drive. Museum exhibits and visual collections storage are located in Brooks Hall, Beaver Island Biological Station, and Neithercut Woodland as well as the main exhibit hall and temporary exhibit gallery in Rowe Hall.
For more information, visit the office in 103 Rowe Hall, see the website, or call 989-774-3829.
Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center
The Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center encourages students to develop the skills necessary to be active citizens in their communities through dynamic programming and civic engagement efforts. The Volunteer Center houses a searchable online database (Engage) of volunteer opportunities for CMU students, coordinates civic engagement efforts across campus, and offers programs such as, Alternative Breaks, America Counts and Reads, Issue Day, and MLK Jr. Day of Service. In addition to service opportunities, the Volunteer Center ensures all students have the resources they need to be successful at CMU and beyond through the Student Food Pantry and Financial Wellness Collaborative.
For more information: Bovee UC 106; 989-774-7685;volunteer.center@cmich.edu; website:www.volunteer.cmich.edu.
Musical Events
The School of Music offers a wide variety of musical events, most of which are available at no charge to students and the general public. For a listing of upcoming events, see https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/college-arts-media/departments-schools/school-of-music.
Special Olympics Michigan
Special Olympics Michigan provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in 23 sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. CMU students can help change lives by volunteering at the State Summer Games held on campus in June or at the State Winter Games in February, being a Unified Sports team athlete for inclusive opportunities, or becoming an intern. CMU volunteers can become involved in the local Special Olympics program either in Mount Pleasant or in their home communities. For more information or to become a volunteer, call 989-774-3911 or visit the website at www.somi.org.
University Theatre
Each year, the University Theatre presents a season of productions offering a range of periods and styles. Open auditions are held for every area of the production. Audiences enjoy discounts on multiple ticket purchases, and there are special student rates for performances. For information, call Ticket Central at 989-774-3000 or see https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/college-arts-media/departments-schools/theatre-dance/university-theatre.
University Art Gallery
The mission of the University Art Gallery is to provide an opportunity for the University community and mid-Michigan communities to view exhibitions of contemporary art. UAG generates and provides educational access to exhibitions featuring both emerging and established regional, national, and international artists. UAG works to promote the discussion of contemporary art through artist lectures, residencies, and workshops. As part of the Department of Art & Design, the gallery serves as a unique classroom for students, providing opportunities for exhibitions, hosting a juried student exhibition, and providing internships. Central Michigan University faculty and alumni are routinely exhibited. In addition, the UAG provides exhibition tours and works with area schools to develop appropriate educational outreach programs for K-12 students.
The University Art Gallery is located in the A-Frame building at the corner of Franklin and Preston Streets. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by appointment (989-774-3800). For a schedule of exhibitions, please see https://www.cmich.edu/academics/colleges/college-arts-media/departments-schools/art-design/university-art-gallery.
Student Media
Student Publications
Moore Hall 436
989/774-3493
Fax: 989/774-7805
www.cm-life.com
- Central Michigan Life
Celebrating 96 years on campus, CM Life is a nationally-recognized, student-run media company that employs more than 100 students. Editors and reporters publish university, local and state news on cm-life.com, in print editions twice per week and produce podcasts. The company also employs advertising students who sell print and digital products, public relations students who offer promotional services and a creative services team that offers graphic design solutions. Advertising students also staff Social Café, an ad agency that offers print, digital and social media products to campus and community customers. Follow CM Life on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest and iTunes.
- The Central Review
The creative arts magazine of the university, the Central Review, is edited and published by students. It is published each semester and contains commentary, poetry, and creative writing.
Cocurricular Electronic Media
Located in Moore Hall, the School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts operates the following facilities to provide BCA students with a broad spectrum of professional training opportunities:
- Moore Hall Television is a full-time cable television station transmitting to the campus on channel 34 and the community on channel 189, MHTV offers practical experience in all phases of television programming, including News Central 34, mid-Michigan’s only daily television newscast. Other featured series regularly include sports, game and reality shows, as well as scripted entertainment productions.
- WMHW-FM is a two-service HD station broadcasting digitally and at 91.5 and 101.1 on the analog band. Moore Rock 91.5 provides multiple counties with cutting edge music and extensive sports coverage. Mountain 101 offers the greater Mt. Pleasant area an Album Adult Alternative format. Both stations are streamed worldwide at www.wmhw.org and provide student broadcasters with intensive immersion in every aspect of programming and managing a dual station cluster.