Telecommunications

Faculty and Staff Services

Calling Cards

Telecommunications issues Mid Maine Communications calling cards to employees for USM business away from the USM campus. To receive a card, an authorized person must mail or fax the calling card request form to Telecommunications. Please include the name of the person using the calling card, the department, billing address and chartfield combination.

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Calling Rates & Monthly Billing

Using a long distance authorization code issued by Telecommunications, State of Maine long distance calls are billed at 25 cents per minute. Out of state calls are billed at 30 cents per minute. Billable calls and calling card usage will be debited monthly. Access your monthly Call Detail Report on line by going to WEB BILLING.

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Campus Directory

The Campus Directory is published and distributed every fall semester. Campus Directory Information can be updated (at anytime during the year) using our ON-LINE Directory Update Form, which can be submitted electronically once completed. This service is accessible via our form page: FORMS

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Campus Operator/Switchboard

The campus operator answers USM's main telephone number (780-4141) for the Portland and Gorham sites. Switchboard hours are from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday. Only the campus operator can directly access an outside operator. The campus operator can assist with any call you may have difficulty placing.

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Cellular Phones

Loaner Cellular Phones

If a faculty or staff member is traveling on university business and requires communication with the university they may borrow a cellular phone from Telecommunications. There is a minimum fee of a $1.00 per day to borrow the phone, plus the cost of calls dialed and received. This service is intended for short term use and should not exceed 14 days. To request a cellular loaner phone go to
Cellular Phone Loaner Form.

Cellular Phone Plans

Telecommunications works as a liaison with area cellular phone companies offering a variety of digital plans to meet the ongoing needs of your department. If your department is interested in learning more about these plans, please contact us @ 780-4054 or email us: Telecom@usm.maine.edu or go to Cell Phone Information

Once your department has decided to order a cellular phone plan, print out the
Cellular Phone Request Form and send it to Telecommunications.
Once the form has been received, we will contact you.

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Conference Phones

If you need a speaker phone for a group conference call, Telecommunications provides a conference phone which can accommodate small or large groups. There is a $15.00 set up charge. Advance notice is required (2-3 days).

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Courtesy Phones

Courtesy phones are located throughout the USM campuses. Some phones may be limited to on-campus dialing only.

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Data Installation

Contact Telecommunications for data line installation, x4029. We will coordinate the completion of your network connection with Computing Services. Computing Services is also responsible for assigning e-mail addresses and internet access.

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Dialing Instructions

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Emergency Telephones

Blue light emergency phones will dial immediately into the USM Police Department when the receiver is lifted. These emergency phones are located on the USM campuses for safety and security. When activated, the USM Police Department immediately receives the location of the caller.

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Fax Machine - General Use

The general fax  number for USM is 780-4933.  The fax machine is available to staff, faculty and students during regular office hours and is located in the Telecommunications office in 4 Payson Smith, Portland Campus. If a fax is received for staff or faculty, Telecommunication's will notify the individual. An authorization code is required for long distance faxing.

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Harassing Calls Assistance (What to do)

If you receive a harassing or obscene telephone call, record the date and time of the call and report the incident to the USM Police Department (x5211). Voice mail messages should not be deleted until they can be listened to, forwarded or recorded. The USM Police Department should be notified as soon as possible since messages that have been listened to automatically delete after ten days. The USM Police Department will then notify Telecommunications to determine the course of action to be taken. 

Remember, the best way to halt harassing calls is to HANG UP!

USM Police Department Locations:

Upton Hall, Gorham Campus
Sullivan Gymnasium, Portland Campus
 

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Long Distance Authorization Codes

To place a long distance call from a USM telephone without a calling card, you must use an authorization code. Authorized requests with a chartfield account number may be faxed to us at 780-4933. To request an Authorization Code, go to Forms.

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Maine Relay

Maine Relay is a service that allows TTY users and non TTY users to communicate by operators who translate and relay conversations. There is no charge for using this service and the rates for calls placed through Maine Relay are reduced.

If you need to dial a TTY number, you may contact Maine Relay  or you may go to one of the sites at USM that has a TTY machine.

To reach Maine Relay -    

               207-955-3777 Voice user's (non TTY)

From a campus phone -        

               207-955-3323 TTY user's

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Request for Service

Telecommunications handles all new installations and moves for telephone and data lines including fax and modem lines. Standard telephone sets are provided. To request service, please submit an online Service Request Form.

 Services 

 Install/Move phones and data lines
 Add/Remove a voice mailbox to an existing extension
 Upgrade existing phones

Software/Programming Changes

* Call pick up groups                * Forward no answer
* Phone Menus                        * Key changes

Equipment 

* Conference Phones               * Digital Display Phones
* Handset & Base Cords           * Headsets                

Special Circumstances may require outside phone vendors. Contact Telecommunications for installation.

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Emergency/Storm Hotline Number

780-4800  *   1-800-800-4USM (press 1)
TTY  780-5034   *   1-800-294-0213
Lewiston Auburn College  753-6595

This phone number provides updated cancellation information due to an emergency or inclement weather. Staff are encouraged to call this number to get the latest cancellation information at USM.

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Telephone Repairs 780-4029

If you experience trouble with your telephone, e.g.: static, loss of dial tone or cannot hear callers, notify Telecom by dialing the Trouble Line extension 4029. Leave your name, department, building and room number and phone extension with a brief description of the problem. Telecom will respond by the next business day.

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Telephone Training

Telecom conducts training workshops for any USM faculty or staff interested in learning more about telephone and voice mail features.

Additionally, Telecom welcomes the opportunity to come to your department for individualized telephone training seminars. The training will be designed specifically toward your departments phone set up. Recommendations for customizing your departments phone set up can be made so that it works effectively for your departments needs. Call Telecom (x4054) to schedule a session.

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TTY (780-5646)

A TTY device (telecommunications device for hearing and speech impaired) is available in the Telecommunications Office (4 Payson Smith Hall). This unit is the main TTY number for the University of Southern Maine, receiving incoming TTY calls for USM departments. This device is also available for outgoing calls during regular business hours. 

The following is a list of units available for incoming/outgoing TTY calls:
 

To request a TTY Phone, go to Service Request Form.

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USM Toll-Free Number

The 800 line (800-800-4876 or 800-800-4USM) is provided by the Telecommunications Department and is available for USM business from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday. Please use the 800 number on all program and department bulletins. Calls to the 800 number are processed through the USM phonetics voice recognition system and will default to the campus operator.

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Yellow & White Pages

If you would like your department listed in the white pages of the Fairpoint area phone books, or if you are interested in a yellow pages advertisement, please call Telecommunications. Requests for changes or additions to the white page and yellow page listings are sent to departments in the spring.

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