 UND was founded in 1883 , six years before North Dakota became a state . Grand Forks native George H. Walsh submitted the bill to the Territorial Legislature of Dakota Territory that called for the new state of North Dakota 's university to be located in Grand Forks . The first classes were held on September 8 , 1884 . The first building at UND , Old Main , housed all classrooms , offices , dorm rooms , and a library . In the 1880s , UND consisted of only a few acres of property , surrounded by farms and fields , nearly two miles west of the city of Grand Forks . Students living off campus had to take a train or a horse and carriage bus , dubbed the " Black Maria " , from downtown to the campus . 
