Large institutions often have loads of resources available for students, but it can be time consuming and difficult to track down these resources when you need them most. Below, I've compiled a (very) partial database of Student Resources available at UM. (Ctrl+F keywords like "first generation", "writing", "ADHD" to quickly find what you're looking for below.)
I'm hoping to continue to develop and refine this page, but it will of course never be comprehensive! If you are looking for something that you can't find here or elsewhere, try contacting the Campus Information center. (Partial Update: March 25, 2026.)
I'm hoping to continue to develop and refine this page, but it will of course never be comprehensive! If you are looking for something that you can't find here or elsewhere, try contacting the Campus Information center. (Partial Update: March 25, 2026.)
Accessibility and Accommodations
Students who think they might require academic accommodations can work with the office for Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS) to arrange for (among other things) assistive technology, academic coaching, and testing accommodations.
IMPORTANT NOTE! Many students don't receive adequate diagnoses or discover that they have access to academic accommodations until college. If you find yourself struggling in your courses, take a look at the documentation and registration pages at SAAS to see what support options are available to you.
The site also maintains a page for other campus services, including information about accessible and gender inclusive restrooms on campus. Students facing mobility challenges who pre-qualify through SAAS have access to Michigan's Paratransit Service, which offers 'curb to curb' rides booked a day in advance. (Note that the application offers the option to specify a service date range for temporary disabilities.)
IMPORTANT NOTE! Many students don't receive adequate diagnoses or discover that they have access to academic accommodations until college. If you find yourself struggling in your courses, take a look at the documentation and registration pages at SAAS to see what support options are available to you.
The site also maintains a page for other campus services, including information about accessible and gender inclusive restrooms on campus. Students facing mobility challenges who pre-qualify through SAAS have access to Michigan's Paratransit Service, which offers 'curb to curb' rides booked a day in advance. (Note that the application offers the option to specify a service date range for temporary disabilities.)
Academic Writing Resources
The Sweetland Center for Writing provides individualized help with written work for courses at UM. According to the website, you can schedule up to one 45 min Peer Center appointment per day, one asynchronous feedback session per week, and one 30 min Workshop Appointment per week (max 15 per term).
Some students may have access to dedicated writing courses, in addition to these services: click here for more on international and multilingual student resources, and here for transfer student resources. Finally, check out the writing center's guides on common questions and issues. (Note that some of these things work a little differently in philosophy courses: I'll help you navigate these differences before your first paper, but you might also check out Jim Pryor's excellent Guidelines on Writing a Philosophy Paper.)
For Graduate Students: The Sweetland Center also offers workshops and writing groups for UM graduate students, and hosts a very helpful collection of resources for teaching and grading writing.
Some students may have access to dedicated writing courses, in addition to these services: click here for more on international and multilingual student resources, and here for transfer student resources. Finally, check out the writing center's guides on common questions and issues. (Note that some of these things work a little differently in philosophy courses: I'll help you navigate these differences before your first paper, but you might also check out Jim Pryor's excellent Guidelines on Writing a Philosophy Paper.)
For Graduate Students: The Sweetland Center also offers workshops and writing groups for UM graduate students, and hosts a very helpful collection of resources for teaching and grading writing.
Student Support Resources
University Health and Counseling: After hours contact information and other crisis center lines can be found here. You can find an overview of their regular-hours clinical services for students here, and links related to navigating student health insurance here. There is also the Mary A Rackham Institute (MARI), which offers a variety of mental health services for the university and broader community, including literacy and language evaluations and interventions.
Comprehensive Studies Program: CSP oversees the Summer Bridge program, and offers advising, mentoring, and and community support to students from a variety of backgrounds, including but not limited to first generation college students and students from historically underrepresented groups. Their Current Students page links to a wide range of resources; see especially their Campus Resources tab.
First Generation Students: The First Generation Student Initiative has compiled a central page with a number of resources for First Gen students here. Check out in particular the Campus Resources page, which offers an easier-to-navigate portal for many of the resources I've described here. For graduate students there is also an email group; find more info here.
Food Insecurity and Campus Affordability: The Maize and Blue Cupboard is a food pantry that offers free groceries, toiletries, and household supplies to students facing food insecurity. For campus affordability concerns more generally, see "On Being Not-Rich at The University of Michigan" : an incredible student-sourced and maintained guide for a wide variety of campus affordability issues. (It is a Google Doc, so give it some time to load! You can read more about the guide here.)
Campus Mind Works: A massive support database created to "simplify access to the wide variety of mental health and academic support resources at the University of Michigan, and to provide information to help students stay healthy and manage college life." The website includes general information about mental health support and mental illness, as well as more general resources arranged by student identities (including first generation students, graduate students, international students, students of color, law students, veterans, and transfer students).
Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center: The SAPAC center provides Crisis Intervention services, Advocacy, and Peer-Led Support groups for survivors. See here for confidential support services.
Student Identities: There are many resources under this umbrella, though many of the most active seem to be student communities and student run organizations. UM Centers to consult include the Spectrum Center (LGBTQ+ Students), the Center for the Education of Women+, MESA (Multi Ethnic Student Affairs), and the Totter Multicultural Center. Graduate students may also check out SCOR (Students of Color of Rackham) and the resource page for LGBTQ+ Students. The Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives now maintains a page with resources and information for undocumented and DACA students, including information about the student organization SCOPE (Student Community of Progressive Empowerment).
Technical Support: Michigan's BlueCorps offers appointments and drop-in hours for general technical support, open to all students. They offer help learning how to use things like Zoom, Canvas, Microsoft Office, and the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (etc), and will also answer specific technology questions in person or over email. See this page for ways to connect.
Comprehensive Studies Program: CSP oversees the Summer Bridge program, and offers advising, mentoring, and and community support to students from a variety of backgrounds, including but not limited to first generation college students and students from historically underrepresented groups. Their Current Students page links to a wide range of resources; see especially their Campus Resources tab.
First Generation Students: The First Generation Student Initiative has compiled a central page with a number of resources for First Gen students here. Check out in particular the Campus Resources page, which offers an easier-to-navigate portal for many of the resources I've described here. For graduate students there is also an email group; find more info here.
Food Insecurity and Campus Affordability: The Maize and Blue Cupboard is a food pantry that offers free groceries, toiletries, and household supplies to students facing food insecurity. For campus affordability concerns more generally, see "On Being Not-Rich at The University of Michigan" : an incredible student-sourced and maintained guide for a wide variety of campus affordability issues. (It is a Google Doc, so give it some time to load! You can read more about the guide here.)
Campus Mind Works: A massive support database created to "simplify access to the wide variety of mental health and academic support resources at the University of Michigan, and to provide information to help students stay healthy and manage college life." The website includes general information about mental health support and mental illness, as well as more general resources arranged by student identities (including first generation students, graduate students, international students, students of color, law students, veterans, and transfer students).
Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center: The SAPAC center provides Crisis Intervention services, Advocacy, and Peer-Led Support groups for survivors. See here for confidential support services.
Student Identities: There are many resources under this umbrella, though many of the most active seem to be student communities and student run organizations. UM Centers to consult include the Spectrum Center (LGBTQ+ Students), the Center for the Education of Women+, MESA (Multi Ethnic Student Affairs), and the Totter Multicultural Center. Graduate students may also check out SCOR (Students of Color of Rackham) and the resource page for LGBTQ+ Students. The Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives now maintains a page with resources and information for undocumented and DACA students, including information about the student organization SCOPE (Student Community of Progressive Empowerment).
Technical Support: Michigan's BlueCorps offers appointments and drop-in hours for general technical support, open to all students. They offer help learning how to use things like Zoom, Canvas, Microsoft Office, and the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (etc), and will also answer specific technology questions in person or over email. See this page for ways to connect.