University of Southern Maine

I am writing with good news. Last Friday, November 13, I shared with with our deans a projected shortfall of $4.8 million in USM’s FY 2011 budget, and an overall multi-year projected shortfall of $13.9 million. On Monday, November 16, USM received important news. The Board of Trustees has decided to release FY 2011 stimulus funds to [...]

I am pleased to announce that John Wright , Dean of the School of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (ASET), is chair of a committee that will oversee the implementation of the USM Strategic Plan, “Preparing USM for the Future, 2009-2014.”  Together with the Strategic Plan Implementation Committee, John will guide the implementation process.  The [...]

I want to take this opportunity to make special mention of this month’s production in our Department of Theatre.  “Tea and Sympathy,” the 1953 play by Robert Anderson, is considered one of the first American plays to directly address homophobia and the prejudices that arise from it.  Of course, it is especially relevant to contemporary [...]

Two fraternity brothers stationed at the corner of College Avenue and School Street stood smoking cigarettes while students in white t-shirts hustled past towards Sigma Nu for the highlighter party Saturday night. Having two brothers on the corner during events is only part of the new behavioral guidelines for off campus student organizations at the University of Southern Maine, which came into effect that Friday. Four more brothers, along with chapter president and spokesperson for the fraternities Brian Boyt, stood at the end of the Sigma Nu driveway, controlling the crowds coming in. However, these precautions, now part of the behavioral guidelines, are nothing new for Sigma. "The majority of the stuff in the document, we've already been doing," said Boyt.

The State of Maine can't seem to figure out how much money it doesn't have. Last month, Governor John Baldacci announced the state was facing a $200 million deficit due to lower than expected tax revenues. But the most recent estimates point to a $300 to $400 million shortfall in the current two year budget. The total amount of tax revenue generated in October was nearly $27 million below expectations, leading lawmakers and analysts to believe the recession has hit Mainers harder than expected.

The UMS Board of Trustees approved a cost-cutting plan at their meeting this week.  You can read about the plan in the November 16 Bangor Daily News, listen on MPBN Radio, or watch on WABI-TV and WLBZ-TV.

On November 9, the Maine Sunday Telegram printed a story about the emphasis USM and the UMaine System are putting on student retention.

Read about Associate Professor of Music Robert Lehmann in a November 8 Maine Sunday Telegram feature.

Brute/adidas NCAA Division III individual rankings have placed Fryeburg native number one in the U.S.

David Flanagan, former president and chief executive officer of CMP Group, Inc., the parent company of Central Maine Power Company and other businesses, has been elected to be the Chairman of the Board of Visitors of Muskie School of Public Service.

Classic jazz combined with Maine humor are featured in returning WMPG radio show on Tuesday afternoons.

The Gorham Art Gallery is the site of the annual juried exhibition. Much of the student art work will be for sale. The public is invited.

The Office of Undergraduate Admission is  hosting several on line chats with Admission staff and current students where you can ask more questions about academics, campus life, admission requirements, and much more. It is a great opportunity to get to know more about USM and our community. The  chats are scheduled for: *Monday, November 30th  7:30-9:30pm *Wednesday, December [...]

FORUM BY AND FOR STUDENTS: December 3rd at 4:20pm Woodbury Campus Center Amphitheater “The NEW University: Critical Choices” As a student, do you feel left out of the process of informing the USM Strategic Plan? This forum is an opportunity to voice your concerns. Organized by WE VOTE (a coalition of student groups and the USM student body government), this forum [...]

Dr. Joyce Gibson, Dean of the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College, has been appointed to serve on the Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “I am pleased to be a new member of the Board of the Chamber of Commerce, an organization for which I have tremendous respect”, says Dean [...]

Congratulations to Philosophy major Amanda Lynn Fickett who was accepted to Emerge Maine, the premier political leadership training program for Democratic women in Maine. Program Components Participants meet one weekend a month for six months and participate in the following trainings: Campaign Strategy Fundraising Public Speaking Field Networking Labor & Endorsements Media Skills & Messaging Ethics in Politics Participants will have the opportunity to meet women [...]

Jerry Conway, Professor of Philosophy and Honors will read and discuss two stories he wrote about teaching in the USM Honors Program on Tuesday, Nov. 10th from 9:30-11:30 am in 102 Wishcamper on Bedford Street.  The event is sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute’s  SAGE lecture series. “You asked for him, now he’s back! [...]