The University of Maine System is a public body created by charter and state statutes to carry out responsibilities on behalf of the citizens of Maine. Authority to carry out these responsibilities is vested in the Board of Trustees, appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Legislature. The Board has full legal responsibility and authority for the University System. The graduate student representative provides advice and opinions to the Board on matters of common interest, and enhances communication and sense of community within the University of Maine System.

The Board of Trustees (BOT) representative is required to attend Board meetings across the state of Maine. Travel and any overnight accommodations will be reimbursed by the Board. The BOT representative may be invited to participate as a non-voting member of a BOT committee. Please see the below list of duties established by the UMS Board of Trustees.

Representative is expected to serve a two-year term. This position includes a scholarship for six in-state credits for the 2023-2024, and 2024-2025 academic years.

To be eligible for the position of USM graduate student BOT Representative, you must:

  • Be enrolled in a USM graduate degree program
  • Be in good academic standing, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Be enrolled in at least 3 credits each semester

Applications closed March 31.

Duties of UMS Student Representative to the Board of Trustees

It shall be the responsibility of the Student Representative to:

  • Attend bimonthly UMS Board of Trustees meetings
  • Be familiar with the nature, needs, and concerns of their student body
  • Be familiar with the nature and process of decision making within the System
  • Act as a liaison between the Board and their respective Student Government
  • Advocate in the best interest of the students who are enrolled at their respective campus
  • Provide reports of Board meetings to their respective student government
  • Serve as a non-voting member of the committee to which they have been appointed
  • Take notes during respective committee meetings and forwarding to appropriate contacts
  • Communicate between Board meetings with other student representatives
  • Serve as an advocate for the University of Maine System
  • Serve as a meeting facilitator on a rotating basis with other student representatives
  • Meet any additional expectations of their respective student government