FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Have questions about the CUMU Conference? Use the tabs below to find answers to frequently asked questions for presenters and for attendees. Still have questions? Reach out and we’ll be in touch.
We understand that you have a limited travel budget and you need to be selective about where you go and what you do. In communicating with administrators about the value of CUMU Conference attendance, the following talking points may be useful for you.
Dear Administrator,
I am writing to request support to attend the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) annual conference which will be held October 20–23 in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota. This conference offers a unique opportunity to engage with thought leaders, share best practices, and explore innovative strategies that directly impact urban and metropolitan universities. The sessions and workshops align closely with our institution’s goals and will provide valuable insights and connections to advance our work. More information about the conference can be found on the CUMU Annual Conference webpage.
Additionally, here is information about CUMU, the conference program, and the host cities.
We are lucky to be part of a diverse coalition representing different geographical, cultural, and disciplinary backgrounds. With that in mind, there is no one dress code, and attendees tend to represent a range of clothing choices from suits to casual wear. If you are wondering what to expect at your first CUMU conference, the majority of attendees fit into the category often described as “business casual.” Whatever clothes you feel best in, make sure to wear comfortable shoes because between Community Experiences, sessions, receptions, and dinners with new friends, expect to be on the go for most of the conference!
The 2024 CUMU Conference takes place at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center. Find more information and book your hotel room.
The CUMU Conference is a place where people from across the network connect and collaborate. In fact, many of the session types are expressly designed to promote those connections, such as Community Conversations, Poster Sessions, and Roundtables. So, if networking is your primary goal, we recommend you attend those sessions. We also hope that the 15 minute transition time between sessions leaves plenty of room for serendipitous hallway conversations and post-session chats.
CUMU also has an online presence on LinkedIn. Connect with us and with each other over LinkedIn, use the conference hashtag #CUMU2024, and keep the conversation going after the conference is over.
Be sure to download the conference app, which will be available this summer.
Although the conference officially starts on Monday, October 21, we have a lot of good stuff planned for Sunday and we hope you will arrive in time to join us. The Anchor Learning Network (ALN) and all Huddles have in-person meetings on site beginning at 3 p.m. These meetings are free and open to all conference attendees, even if you haven’t been part of ALN or a Huddle so far. Topics include the Anchor Mission, K-12 Partnerships, Impact, and Community Engagement.
On Sunday night, CUMU hosts a Meet and Greet at the conference hotel. This is a wonderful time to catch up with old friends and meet new collaborators, connect with the CUMU team and with colleagues from across our international network.
On Monday, October 21, CUMU offers Pre-Conference Workshops to attendees on topics of high interest. On Tuesday, October 22, four local campus partners offer Community Experiences, during which attendees are transported by bus to visit campus and community locations to learn about work in progress.
The Pre-Conference Workshops and Community Experiences are popular and memorable parts of the CUMU Conference. As such, there is no other programming during this time to ensure that attendees are available to participate in these important opportunities.
Pre-registration is required for both opportunities and at a nominal fee in addition to your regular conference registration.
Yes! If you plan to attend the conference and want to volunteer in an official capacity, we would be excited to have you join our team! Email Stacey to let her know you want to be part of the volunteer conference team.
- Each presenter/group of presenters is limited to one poster
- Posters should be 3’ W x 2’ H (oriented horizontally)
- Drop off your poster at the registration desk when you check-in for the conference by 12 noon on Monday
- CUMU staff will hang your poster and will place an 8.5″ x 11″ label below your poster.
- A high-top cocktail table will be placed near each poster for any additional materials. Technology is not available.
- Posters can be retrieved at the registration desk beginning Tuesday afternoon.
- Any posters remaining at the end of the conference will be disposed of.
- Each presenter is positioned at their own table with eight total seats.
- Participants have access to table maps upon entering that indicate each session title and location.
- Participants are invited to rotate three different times—meaning presenters have three ~25-minute conversations on their program or initiative with time built in for participants to transition to the next table.
- A dedicated time keeper keeps the session flowing.
- Because of the social nature of this session, these presentations do not have access to technology.
- Presenters are encouraged to bring print materials relevant to their discussion that participants can take with them.
- View the agenda and create a personalized schedule with the sessions that interest you the most.
- Explore the directory to connect with presenters and attendees before, during, and after the event.
- Customize your profile to share more about you and your work.
- Receive real-time updates and announcements from event organizers.
