The University of Southern Maine’s Gorham campus has earned the highest rating available from its property insurer — a designation that reflects the safety and reliability of the spaces where students live, learn and gather.
FM Global awarded the campus Highly Protected Risk, or HPR, status, the company’s top-tier designation for building safety and resilience. It covers fire protection, water damage prevention, natural hazard preparedness and overall structural integrity.
For students, that means the residence halls, classrooms, research and activity spaces they use every day are well-protected from major disruptions like fires or floods. For taxpayers, it means the public university is effectively stewarding its public assets for the benefit of students and the public.
“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.
Over the years, the Gorham facilities team has consistently followed through on recommendations, strengthening both physical safeguards and day-to-day operational practices so campus buildings can remain safe, open and functional for students.
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.”