The University of Southern Maine’s Gorham campus has earned the highest rating available from its property insurer. Factory Mutual (FM Global) awarded the campus Highly Protected Risk (HPR) status, the company’s top-tier designation for building safety and resilience.
The HPR designation reflects FM Global’s rigorous engineering assessment — which covers fire protection, water damage prevention, natural hazard preparedness and overall structural integrity.
“It essentially means the Gorham campus meets very high standards for protecting its buildings and infrastructure from serious damage,” said Jessica Howe, project associate with University of Maine System Facilities Management & General Services. “FM describes it as an ‘A grade’ in property protection and loss prevention.”
FM Global representatives joined USM staff on Feb. 26 to present the award and celebrate the facilities team’s achievement — one that few campuses can claim.
“Within the University of Maine System, Gorham is currently the only campus that holds this designation,” Howe said. “HPR recognition is not automatic — it reflects a high level of risk management performance and consistent follow-through on insurer recommendations.”
As the University of Maine System’s property insurer, FM Global sends engineers to evaluate campuses each year and issue recommendations for improving risk protection. Over the years, the Gorham facilities team has consistently followed through on those recommendations, strengthening both physical safeguards and day-to-day operational practices.
For the facilities team, the recognition goes far beyond an insurance review.
“This recognition affirms the work they do every day to maintain safe, resilient campus spaces,” Howe said. “It reflects their commitment to proactive maintenance, thoughtful risk reduction, and long-term stewardship of campus facilities — and the care they bring to protecting the campus community.”