University of Minnesota-Morris

The University of Minnesota Morris (UMN Morris), while officially opening its doors as a four-year college in 1960, possesses a remarkably deep and significant history that dates back to 1887. What makes this institution particularly stand out is its enduring commitment to a unique tuition policy: American Indians are always admitted free of tuition. This policy is a direct legacy of the campus's origins, reflecting a historical agreement that continues to shape its identity and student experience today.

The campus's journey began as the Morris Industrial School for Indians, an American Indian boarding school established in 1887 and initially run by the Sisters of Mercy under contract with the U.S. government. After a period under the Office of Indian Affairs, the school closed in 1909 as part of a national effort to shift educational focus to reservations. It was at this crucial juncture that the campus was transferred to the State of Minnesota, with the foundational agreement that American Indians would forever receive tuition-free education—a promise UMN Morris proudly upholds.

Following its time as an Indian boarding school, the campus transformed into the West Central School of Agriculture (WCSA) in 1910, a coeducational residential high school focused on agricultural and home economics education for rural youth. This institution served the region for half a century, but as enrollments declined in the late 1950s, the community rallied. Their dedication convinced the University of Minnesota to evolve the campus once more, leading to the establishment of the four-year University of Minnesota Morris in September 1960, phasing out the high school program by 1963.

Today, UMN Morris is not just a hub of learning but also a living testament to history. Many of its campus buildings, mostly designed in the American Craftsman style by state architect Clarence H. Johnston Sr., are part of the West Central School of Agriculture and Experiment Station Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The oldest building, an 1899 dormitory from the Indian School era, now serves as the Multi-Ethnic Resource Center, symbolizing the institution's rich and multifaceted heritage.