Pros and Cons of Duluth and UMD

Pros of Duluth

Weather - The Lake Effect gives us a long fall and a shorter spring. Many people really love this trade-off and find ways to enjoy the long, cold winter. There are many places to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, and hike nearby. There are actually 44 kilometers of cross-country ski trails in the greater Duluth area.
Scenery - The scenery is very unique and pretty at UMD. We have Lake Superior, beautiful trees, and many nature areas which provide an endless amount of outdoor recreational opportunities. This fall, the "fall colors" on the trees made campus a gorgeous place to live.
Free Bus - As a UMD student, we can use the Duluth bus system at no charge. This is a great resource for students who live off campus and need to get to school, or students who live on campus and need to get around in the community. Students are more likely to be involved at community events, because transportation is crucial- especially in the winter, when conditions may make walking unrealistic.
Lake Superior - Lake Superior is a cornerstone in the community. Students can go down to the shore and watch the ships come in, go for boat rides, and even go surfing in the lake. Lake Superior is a popular tourist destination all year long. Canal Park, home to The Pier, is a popular attraction for anyone passing through Duluth.

The University of Minnesota Duluth has a plethora of positive characteristics. Some are minute while others affect a students’ everyday. The layout of the school has taken into consideration that Duluth winters are bitter at best. There for underground tunnels connect this compact campus.
The all day tutoring centers are another helpful aspect of UMD. This center has two or three students from each department, ready to answer questions, give examples while remaining patient and up-beat. Freshmen find this extremely helpful while they adjust to college life.
Students can combat unwanted college weight in the university’s workout complex. This building is also connected to the campus and offers a rock climbing wall, multiple elliptical and treadmills, basketball courts, swimming pool, hockey rink and weight lifting equipment.
The list of UMD pros could go on, but now that you have received a taste of what this campus has to offer, you and your family should come check it out for your self.

Weather - For some people, Duluth's weather is a downfall. The city is sometimes called "The Air-conditioned City" because it has long, cold winters and cool summers. The cause of this weather is Lake Superior, which has a cooling effect.
Geography - Along with weather, Duluth's geography makes driving difficult. The city has many steep hills, which can be hard on cars. It can also can become hazardous in the wintertime while driving on the hills.
Tourists - There are many tourists that come to Duluth. This is good for businesses, but it can be a downfall for the citizens that live there.
Hostile community- Duluth does not welcome college students into the community as well as it should. Many other cities try to incorporate the students into the city, but Duluth is weak in this area. There are even issues about college students renting houses. Restrictions on houses rented by college students are being set, which hurts the students and the home owners trying to rent out their spaces.

For students living in the dorms, a meal plan through the school is required. The meal plans average out to be a staggering six to eight dollars a meal. Student could save a lot of money if they were able to buy their own food. The dinning center at the school runs on an all you can eat buffet system which also encourages over eating.
Students deciding to live on campus are often roomed with others randomly. A questionnaire would help improve compatibly between students and facilitate a better relationship which has a great impact on enhancing the UMD experience.
Lack of school spirit seems to be an epidemic on campus. Many students are here because “they couldn’t get into the U of M TC.” They really don’t feel strong ties to the school. This made for a very lame Homecoming, as few students were willing to be enthusiastic during activities.