As the University of Michigan School of Information prepares to make North Campus its home next fall, school leadership has announced that undergraduate classes and services will remain focused on Central Campus in 2025-26 and beyond. 

The decision comes as UMSI looks to ensure continuity in the academic experience and residential life of undergraduate students in its Bachelor of Science in Information program, many of whom take other courses on Central Campus and choose nearby housing for convenience.

UMSI will maintain space on Central Campus for essential activities like advising, office hours and student collaboration, ensuring undergraduates stay well-connected to UMSI staff, faculty and resources.

“We are excited to continue to serve undergraduate students on Central Campus,” says Laura Elgas, UMSI’s executive director of academic and student affairs. “We know that many of our undergraduate students are engaged in courses and activities here, and this will provide the opportunity for a seamless connection to UMSI.”

While undergraduate operations will continue on Central Campus, UMSI will center its graduate programs in the soon-to-be completed Leinweber Computer Science and Information Building on North Campus starting in fall 2025. Currently, UMSI’s operations are spread across five buildings: North Quad and four leased commercial spaces in downtown Ann Arbor.

The Leinweber Building will be UMSI’s new home and the center of the school’s activities. The 163,000-square-foot, four-story complex will house reconfigurable classrooms, student maker labs, collaboration spaces, research labs and two of the biggest lecture halls on North Campus.

“We look forward to the opportunities our spaces on both campuses will offer to form new relationships with colleagues and continue to create a sense of belonging among members of our community,” says Erin Krupka, associate dean for faculty at UMSI.

UMSI’s enrollment has tripled in the past decade, with more than 1,800 current students, making it the fastest-growing school at U-M. 

“As a multidisciplinary school, UMSI’s courses are in high demand across student populations on both Central and North Campuses,” Elgas says. “Having offerings in both places will provide us an opportunity to meet the needs of both undergraduate and graduate students interested in the field of information.” 

For more details on the Leinweber Building project and to view live construction updates, visit umsi.info/leinweber. Questions and feedback about UMSI’s move can be directed to the Leinweber logistics and support teams at [email protected].

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