The History of UMass Dartmouth

UMass Dartmouth traces its roots to 1895, when the state legislature chartered the New Bedford Textile School and the Bradford Durfee Textile School in Fall River.

As the region’s economic base shifted from textiles to more diverse manufacturing and service industries, the colleges changed, too. They diversified their curricula, responding to the needs of new generations of students. By the middle of the 20th century they were growing rapidly, spurred by such forces as the GI Bill and the clear economic and social advantages of a well-educated citizenry. They had become multipurpose institutions, preparing engineers, health care workers, teachers, and business leaders.

In 1962, the state legislature created Southeastern Massachusetts Technological Institute by merging the New Bedford Textile School and the Bradford Durfee Textile School. The 710 acre campus in North Dartmouth, part way between New Bedford and Fall River, was begun in 1964. The dramatic campus design was the work of architect Paul Rudolph, then dean of Yale’s school of Art and Architecture.

There was a clear public demand for a comprehensive university, and in 1969 SMTI became Southeastern Massachusetts University. The university continued to grow through the 1970s, when its first residence halls were finished and through the ’80s, as research and studio facilities came into being.

In 1988, the Dion Science and Engineering Building was opened, as was the Cedar Dell Townhouse Complex. Also in 1988, the Swain School of Design in New Bedford merged with the university’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, strengthening programs in art and artisanry. The Swain merger brought additional art facilities in New Bedford to the university.

In 1991, a new University of Massachusetts structure combined the Amherst , Boston , and Worcester campuses with Southeastern Massachusetts University and the University of Lowell (now UMass Lowell). Thus Southeastern Massachusetts University became the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

In 1994, UMass Dartmouth received approval to offer its first PhD degree, in Electrical Engineering. It also offers several joint doctoral programs with other UMass campuses. In 1997, construction was completed for the School for Marine Science and Technology, located on 2.6 acres in New Bedford near Buzzards Bay. A full program of research and development is now supported in this new facility. And starting in 1997, student/faculty teams have engaged in landscaping beautification projects across campus.

In 2001, the university opened the Star Store campus in downtown New Bedford, a structure transformed from a landmark department store into a vibrant arts center located in the city’s historic district.

The university opened a new $14 million Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Center in Fall River, also in 2001. The 60,000 square foot research and development center features conference space, specialty labs in acoustics, optics, telecommunications, materials, textiles and environmental engineering, as well as incubator space for start-up companies.

Two new student residence buildings, Oak Glen Hall and Pine Dale Hall, were completed in 2002. Also in 2002, the university opened the Professional and Continuing Education Center in Fall River in the fully renovated Cherry and Webb building. A second centrally located Center for Professional and Continuing Education opened in New Bedford in 2004.

In fall 2004, the university opened a new building for the Charlton College of Business on the Dartmouth campus. It also broke ground for another two new student residence buildings, to meet the increasing demand for on-campus housing.

Six new residence halls, part of the Woodlands Community, opened its doors to upperclassmen in 2005, offering fully furnished, apartment-style living for the 21+ student population. Located near the Tripp Athletic Center, Woodlands Community also has a commons building that offers a 3,000 square foot function room that can seat up to 300 people, six smaller meeting rooms and a café.

In 2007, the university opened a 22,000 square foot Research Building that focuses on science and houses the Botulinum Research Center. The building, the first at UMass Dartmouth devoted entirely to research, strengthens an "Innovation Triangle" in southeastern Massachusetts that includes major research and development centers in New Bedford and Fall River .

For additional information, check the timeline of university history or visit the University Archives.