UFM has a unique history. Founded almost 40 years ago as the "University for Man" it was created and continues to flourish under the motto "Everyone can teach, everyone can learn". In the early 1990's it was changed to University for Mankind. Later, the words were eliminated, but the well known initials UFM were kept and additional explanatory words, Community Learning Center were added. The official name is now, UFM Community Learning Center. Says Linda Teener, Executive Director, "The name helps people understand what we do."

UFM was founded by a group of Kansas State University students and faculty as a way to bridge communication between the campus community and the Manhattan community. That year seven classes were offered with 150 people participating. Today the program operates a much expanded offering and in addition, assists other communities sharing the wealth of information it has acquired during it's tenure as the "oldest continually operated free university in the United States".

Student Manager, three full-time staff and a handful of part-time employees manage the program with poise and expertise. One of the original Student Manager users, they've worked with the software for just over 18 years. "We remember DOS" says Teener, "but the newer versions are much nicer and we prefer them".

"We've had a web site for quite a while and use ACEweb. Cheryl worked on ACEweb and made it look great. The software integrates nicely into the web page and we're pleased with the result" says Teener. The web page allows them to publicize their programs in a different way as well as providing their participants a fast and instantaneous way to acquire information. As soon as the course is ready it's published. The quick marketing and available information frees their office staff to do other things.

"The new format is attractive and makes the offerings on the website easier to scan. We can also put special features on the website quickly and simply. We're finding that we publish fewer catalogs every year. Younger people go to the website, but there's a difference in the generational preferences and our older clients prefer the printed catalog" notes Teener.

Mike does their technical support and has for eight years. Teener notes that frequently their issues are server related, and not something he ought to have to deal with, but without a regular tech person at UFM they rely on Mike. Having worked together so long they've shaped a comfortable rapport. That long-standing familiarity is important when an organization utilizes the software in a unique way, as does UFM.

Every fall UFM participates with a group of KSU organizations to host a Fair Trade Marketplace. UFM handles the money and keeps track of vendor sales for the group. They use Student Manager to process the purchases and credit card transactions through a remote connection from the sale site to their office. A unique registration number is created for the fair trade event. Once names and email addresses are entered, purchasers are emailed a receipt similar to registrations. The purchasers get an email receipt of their purchases and UFM has a record of all financial transactions as well as the number of people who bought products.

UFM is preparing for a year-long 40th anniversary year and celebrating the grand re-opening of a remodeled solar addition. Partnerships with community groups, a dynamic lecture series, mini classes, discussion groups, demonstrations, and hands-on classes keep the program vibrant and growing.

Congratulations UFM! We hope to share the next forty years with you.

ACEware Software

Student Manager, Email Module, ACEweb

Database

12,000 un-archived names in the database and approximately 4,000 unduplicated participants with about 12,000 registrations annually.

Programs

The program consists of approximately 300 non-credit courses per semester, as well as about 50 classes that carry Kansas State University credit. Classes range from dance, to First Aid and CPR, Earth and Nature courses to swim lessons, martial arts, languages and cooking. UFM also sponsors activities such as a mentoring program for high risk teens, a lecture series, the community garden and an outreach program that helps other communities in Kansas develop their own community education programs.

Featured Program

The Lou Douglas Lecture Series - Illuminating and provocative lectures with free-wheeling question and answer periods stimulate discussion as well as promote original thinking and questioning of perspectives on critical public issues. Related experiences such as brown bag lunches, class and seminar presentations and interaction with student and community organizations enhance the lecture experience. Many K-State graduates say that the perspectives they gained from the Lou Douglas Lectures have been invaluable to their lives as citizens.