The United States Forest Service (USFS) is terminating approximately 3,400 employees, affecting forest management operations. While firefighters, law enforcement officers, meteorologists and bridge inspectors remain unaffected, other roles have been impacted.

The Maine Campus met with Rose Ambroff, Assistant Professor of Forest Soils at The University of Maine, who addressed concerns about how these layoffs could affect forest management nationwide and what they mean for Maine’s forestry industry and conservation efforts. 

“Terminating thousands of USFS employees will negatively impact the health of our forests and the livelihoods that depend on them. Among their many activities, USFS employees track and manage threats to forests like pests, disease and wildfire. All of these threats spread faster on a warmer planet, so we need the Forest Service now more than ever,” said Ambroff.

These layoffs follow a directive from President Donald Trump on Feb. 11, instructing agencies to cut positions not mandated by law, including diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. The USFS, representing over 20,000 workers, was notified of the terminations on Feb. 13.

According to the January 2025 Wildfire Crisis Strategy Update, the USFS previously reduced wildfire risk to $700 billion in housing and infrastructure, lowered risk to drinking water watersheds by nearly 12% and prevented $40 million in residential property losses in 2023. The western U.S. has seen a 246% increase in wildfire-related structural losses over the past decade.

“Federal funding for forestry research is such a large proportion of available funding that it will be difficult to replace. However, the state of Maine, local communities and small businesses can prioritize keeping forests healthy and adapting to mounting climate risks. We have often had to take care of ourselves out here, without relying on big external investments, and in many ways, that makes us resilient. Let’s get scrappy and find ways to care for each other and our land, whether or not this administration supports it,” said Ambroff.

The reduction in workforce raises questions about the USFS ability to manage forests and mitigate wildfire risks moving forward. It also creates uncertainty for UMaine students, particularly those studying forestry, as they face questions about their future career prospects.

At the University of Maine, students and faculty may be reflecting on how social media shaped the 2024 presidential election, with Donald Trump and Kamala Harris leveraging platforms like TikTok and Instagram to influence voters. The growing importance of social media continues to spark debates around its impact on modern politics, a topic that several UMaine students and faculty members shared their thoughts on.

“There was nothing surprising about the way the campaigns employed social media, but a lot of their surrogates did a lot of effective work,” said Michael Socolow, a professor of journalism at UMaine.

With TikTok, X and Instagram in the hands of many voters, the forums were used in political campaigns more than ever in this election. Despite concerns, many believe social media can also serve as a powerful tool for communication, discussion and mobilization.

“Social media is a crucial communications mechanism all across American politics, not just for elections,” said Mark Brewer, a political science professor at UMaine.

Social media also comes with its disadvantages. This can include violence and miscommunication, with fake news spreading like wildfire. News Station CNBC stated in a recent article, “Social media companies like Meta, TikTok, X and YouTube are under intense pressure to handle what’s expected to be a flood of disinformation, heightened by the rise of artificial intelligence.” 

Unlike commercial campaigns, social media is accessible to everyone. This makes it possible to produce and circulate AI videos and news stories about the presidential candidates.

Harris on social media

Harris seemed to cater to the younger crowd this year with her “Brat Summer” TikToks, and by having rappers like Meghan Thee Stallion perform at her rallies. 

Marketing student Rebecca Scoular made an interesting point regarding Harris’ appeal to younger demographics. 

“She catered directly towards our generation on TikTok in the way that she stayed on top of current trends. She also endorsed a lot of celebrities which seemed like a good marketing move at the time,” said Scoular. 

Harris was also on Saturday Night Live with Maya Rudolph doing skits, which may have given voters a glimpse into her personable and humorous side.

Donald Trump Social Media

“One thing we do know is social media proved to be particularly important for both candidates for sure, but particularly for the Trump campaign in reaching younger voters. Particularly, it seemed like young male voters with things like the ‘Bro’ Podcast Universes,” said Brewer.

While Trump also kept up with TikTok trends, he made it a point to present on many podcasts this year such as an episode on the Joe Rogan Podcast, and maintained his image on social media throughout the campaign season. 

“[With] each election cycle that goes by, the percentage of people that say that they get their primary source of news from social media keeps going up,” said Brewer. 

The future role of social media in political campaigning remains uncertain, but its significant impact on the 2024 election seems apparent.

The University of Maine Student Government (UMSG) met for its weekly meeting in the Bangor Room of the Memorial Union on Nov. 4. The meeting was conducted by UMSG President Keegan Tripp and Vice President Memphis Peterson. Topics covered ranged from UMSG budgetary updates to a presentation from the town of Orono regarding future local development plans. 

Club Maintenance:

The South Asian Association of Maine sought preliminary recognition from UMSG. The club was active at UMaine a couple years prior, and re-started again in 2023. It is now a fully functioning and active club with around 200 members, with roughly half of those members being undergraduate students. The request for preliminary recognition passed with a clear majority.

The Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) unit on campus also sought preliminary recognition from UMSG. The club is focused on creating a student-driven group that uses the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) unit as a central hub without being affiliated with military service. 

The group shared that the organization’s main goal is to introduce students to ROTC through more accessible non-military events while fostering a strong sense of community on campus. Their plans include tabling events and organizing mental health-focused initiatives. With a clear majority of votes to pass, the club was granted preliminary recognition. 

Guest Speaker:

Isabelle Oechslie, planner for the town of Orono, visited UMaine and spoke at the meeting. She discussed the town’s comprehensive plan—a state-mandated document that serves as a roadmap for the community’s development over the next 10 to 12 years. Oechslie shared insights into the goals of the plan, which cover critical areas such as economic development, housing, transportation and environmental sustainability. 

“One of the most important things we take into consideration is the student voice,” said Oechslie, emphasizing the importance of student input in shaping the future of Orono.

She encouraged students to share their ideas and suggestions for the plan, which will help guide decisions on public policy, development priorities and resource allocation for the town.

Oechslie can be reached via email at planner@orono.org or by phone at (207) 889-6909. 

Executive Reports:

Tripp announced that the Vice President for Student Organizations (VPSO) interest period remains open, with only one application currently submitted. Interested students are encouraged to apply.

“It is a big role and a big position but a good opportunity to get your foot in the door,” said Tripp. 

Tripp also mentioned his plan to bring the issue of raising the student activity fee to a vote of the student body with prices rising everywhere. He notes he can run UMSG with the current budget size, but without a raise in the activity fee, major cuts will have to be made. The current student activity fee rests at $78 annually, and Tripp has proposed an increase to $100 or somewhere in between. 

“It is something serious our organization needs to consider moving forward,” said Tripp, ending his report.

Vice President for Student Leadership Elizabeth Oldfield mentioned projects they are working on this semester. Merchandise ideas such as magnets and lanyards for UMSG were mentioned. Student Leadership also mentioned tabling at a prospective student open house at the New Balance Recreation Center on Nov. 9 from 8 to 10 a.m. if anyone wanted to help out or just stop by to say hello.

Advisor to Student Government Lauri Sidelko touched on mental health issues on campus. Sidelko urges those in crisis to reach out or ask for help, and to be there for your friends. Resources mentioned include Campus Police and the on-call campus counselor at Cutler Health Center. Sidelko ended her report by reminding us to “look out for one another.”

University of Maine Police Department: (207) 581-4040 

University of Maine Counseling Center: (207) 581-1392

Representative Board Reports

Interfraternity Council (IFC) President Jacob Heartquist noted that executive board applications will be open this week for IFC. They urge anyone with friends in fraternities who may be interested to inform them of this opportunity.

Panhellenic Council President Hannah Blanchette held all interviews for the Panhellenic Executive Board and everyone that was offered a position accepted their positions.The Slating Committee, which is a voting committee for Greek life, will be meeting to pass the new executive board over the next two weeks. A finalized executive board is expected to be established near the end of November. 

The General Student Senate (GSS) considered a budget request from the Black Bear Catholics. The $1,300 approved by the executive budgetary committee would cover registration for the SEEK Conference, a forum in Washington, D.C. that encourages learning about faith and fostering friendship among attendees. After a request from the presenting Black Bear Catholic officer for the amount to be increased and considerable debate, the Senate passed the resolution as it previously stood. 

UMSG meetings are held every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Bangor Room of the Memorial Union for those who wish to attend. The meetings are also recorded and posted here.

The University of Maine Student Government (UMSG) met for their weekly meeting on Oct. 8 in the Bangor Room of the Memorial Union. The meeting was conducted by UMSG President Keegan Tripp and Vice President Memphis Peterson. 

Club Maintenance: 

Men’s Club Basketball (MCB) sought preliminary recognition. This club will meet twice a week and their location is to be determined. Plans for advertising include an Instagram page and posted flyers around campus. League fees are expected to be $1000 annually. This will be a tryout-based league, depending on how competitive the numbers are. The vote to grant the club preliminary recognition passed unanimously. 

The president of the Maine Society of Microbiology (MSM) also sought preliminary recognition from UMSG. Some events the club offers for its members are “paint with E. coli night” and tours of local labs. They are also planning a “pathogen clue night.” Roughly ten people currently attend the meetings, but the club is looking to expand.

Guest Speaker:

UMaine General Manager of Sodexo Matthew Legault, spoke as the guest speaker at the UMSG meeting. He was accompanied by Executive Director of Auxiliary Enterprises Richard Young. Legault and Young started their speech singing the praises of UMaine’s dining experience with Sodexo. They noted the growing number of Kiwibots and Hilltop Dining renovations. These renovations will include a “you-cook” station and a Simply Zone, which will supply hot and cold food for individuals with different food allergens that are not currently represented on the dining hall menu. 

Some concerns brought up by UMSG members included the price hike in food at the Bear’s Den and the portion size. Legault addressed these concerns by noting, “The goal is not to skimp, but to be consistent.” It was also noted that the goal is to keep the prices of campus dining in line with outside competitors such as Aroma Joes, Dunkin Donuts and Pat’s Pizza. 

Legault and Young ended their discussion with UMSG by encouraging them and the whole student body to fill out the surveys using the QR codes at the dining halls and to reach out via email with any additional concerns. 

Matthew Legault: matthew.legault@sodexo.com 

Richard Young: ryoung@maine.edu  

Executive Reports: 

Tripp provided a brief report at the meeting. He touched on conversations he had this past week concerning funding for the upcoming Lewiston vigil, and the conversation he had about parking with Young. 

Peterson spoke about scheduling meetings after fall break with UMSG senators to make sure everyone is fulfilling their requirements for their position and that they have the resources they need to do so. 

“Anti-hazing is a non-partisan and non-profit program, but if anyone is interested in this issue contact me,” said Peterson. 

New Business 

An act to allocate funds for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AICHE) was brought to the attention of UMSG. The funds requested are to go towards the AICHE 2024 National Conference fees. This conference offers many networking and job opportunities for chemical engineer majors at UMaine. With a clear majority, the request for funding passed.

Model UN / INT affairs association requested funding for the University of Pennsylvania Model UN Conference. This conference helps develop club members’ speech and writing ability while discussing foreign affairs. After a lengthy debate amongst UMSG members, the request passed for $1,120 in funding. 

UMSG meetings are held every Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Bangor Room of the Memorial Union for those who wish to attend. The meetings are also recorded and posted here for viewing. 

On Nov. 14, the University of Maine Student Government, Inc. (UMSG) met for their weekly meeting in the Bangor Room of the Memorial Union. The lengthy agenda consisted of clubs seeking final recognition, funding appropriations and other discussions, including one surrounding the flag of the Penobscot Nation. New business was discussed about many acts to allocate funds.

Club Maintenance:

The UMaine chapter of the Hidden Opponent organization sought final recognition from UMSG. The club’s main focus is mental health matters surrounding sports. The club was granted preliminary recognition seven weeks ago, and it has gone well. 

“The club was proactive in getting paperwork in on time and working well with UMSG during the preliminary process,” reported Vice President of Student Organization Julian Ober. 

Funding for the club’s large events will come from national organizations, and funding for smaller events, such as meetings, will come from UMSG. The vote to grant the club final recognition passed unanimously.

Orono Contra Dancing Club also sought final recognition. The club reported that the two dances it had held during the preliminary period had gone well. The club needed funding for the band from UMSG. Dances are held in the Keith Anderson Community House in Orono. The dances are held from 8-10 p.m. Refreshers are for current members, and practices are for new members from 7:30 p.m. until showtime. This vote for final recognition also passed unanimously.

Guest Speaker:

The guest speaker, Sen. Mike Tipping, discussed his role in the legislature, where he serves on the Labor Housing Committee and Government Oversight Committee. Tipping first entered politics as an advocate for student issues and emphasized to students his role as a resource for them in government.  Sen. Tipping suggested that students considering a career in public service should be “very public and make sure you’re reaching out and being a part of the conversation.”

New Business:

An act to allocate funds for the Tennis Club was discussed. The funds would pay to lease indoor courts to allow the club to practice during the winter. The club currently has 87 active members. Practices are held at ATC in Hampden, Maine. The club provides players with carpooling services, and all gas money is refunded to the players. The vote passed unanimously.

Two acts to allocate funds for Men’s Club Rugby were also discussed. UMSG would be of help in covering the funds for hotel rooms, rental vans, and flights. The first set of funds would be for regionals. The second set of funds will go towards nationals if they win regionals. All funds allocated for the nationals will be returned if they do not win at regionals. The vote passed unanimously.

An act to allocate funds to the marketing and public relations committee within UMSG, Inc. was brought to the attention. More funds were required to advertise over the remaining months of the school year, including those that would pay for printing costs, merchandise and flyers, among other purposes. The vote passed unanimously.

An act to allocate funds for the Student Heritage Alliance Council (SHAC) was considered. This club is a multicultural and multi-faith advisory board. SHAC hopes to organize large-scale collaboration events and create a larger platform for members to make a voice for themselves. The first event of the reformed SHAC was the Family and Friends Feast on Nov. 16, which featured a diverse array of multicultural foods from local vendors.  

UMSG previously passed funding for the food for that event as well as funding for the position of SHAC representative. This position also fulfills the role of president on the club’s side, although it has not been filled in recent years. The vote passed unanimously.

At the beginning of the year, UMaine sent out improper instructions for using the printing services. UMSG is urging the school to distribute better information regarding the usage of PaperCut printing.

An act to urge the University of Maine to fly the Penobscot Nation flag has been implemented. The Penobscot Nation’s flag is only flown one day of the whole year on campus. As UMaine’s campus is located on indigenous grounds, the students believed it necessary for the school to fly this flag as a permanent fixture. The students also expressed that National Native American Heritage Month is the whole month of November, as opposed to its current status as a single day.

On Nov. 11, the University of Maine Student Government granted two clubs for preliminary recognition, and committee chair positions were filled.

Club Maintenance:

The University of Maine’s Computing Club spoke at Tuesday’s meeting seeking preliminary recognition. The club focuses mainly on projects they work on, such as web development and machine learning. They also help students interested in computing determine what fields they want to enter once they graduate. The Computing Club currently has 15-20 active members but is willing to grow their numbers to 60. The vote to grant the club preliminary recognition passed unanimously.

The Accounting Club also spoke at Tuesday’s meeting in the hope of being granted preliminary recognition. The Accounting Club is associated with the Maine Business School, but they are open to non-accounting majors joining the club. The club allows students to learn more about internships, networking and job opportunities. The vote to grant this club preliminary recognition passed unanimously.

UMSG has encouraged clubs to present their usage of the student activity money with members of UMSG on Tuesday evenings. The Society of Women Engineers took advantage of this opportunity and presented photos and shared insight on their conference trip with members. UMSG encourages more presentations from clubs in the future.

Guest Speaker:

Director of Residence Life Shane Smith spoke as UMSG’s guest speaker. Smith came to discuss the mission of resident life, simply to make the experience of those living on campus the best experience possible. Residence Life is eager to work with UMSG to facilitate residence hall event planning and to work together to get students excited about upcoming events. Anything to do with hosting events or renting the quad is dealt with through residence life. Residence Life is also collecting RA applications for the upcoming school year. For more information or any questions, contact Shane Smith at shane.p.smith@maine.edu. 

New Business:

Camden Olson, the chair of the Fair Elections Practices Commission (FEPC), has revised the FEPC guidelines for clarity. These guidelines were reviewed and read over with members of UMSG. It was also brought to the attention of UMSG that FEPC is considering making the singular election day five days for the next election. This spread-out election will encourage more student participation in the voting process since there will be more flexibility in when they can vote.

Committee Affairs Chair Election:

At the end of the meeting, members of UMSG were asked to nominate members for three chair positions in Committee Affairs. The three positions filled in the election were Food and Dining Affairs, Mental Health Affairs, and Multicultural Advisory Affairs.

The Student Symposium is a research event put on by the Center For Undergraduate Research (CUGR) that allows undergraduate and graduate students to showcase their research and gain eligibility for prizes. This event is often required for many students completing their senior year capstone and is encouraged for students to participate in their honors thesis.

This event usually takes place in mid-April. The Student Symposium is also a great networking opportunity for undergraduates to connect with graduate students and businesses for sponsors and job opportunities.

Since 2019, students have been expected to front the large bill accumulated from the event. This causes students to be heavily reliant on the University of Maine Student Government (UMSG). Because of this, UMSG has to take student activity funds. Student Symposium is not a student activity. It is a great opportunity for students to conduct and share research.

Not only are the students fronting the bill for the event itself, but they are also giving money to the different departments on campus at UMO for things such as presentation aisles and renting out rooms.

In 2022, UMaine’s research report stated that the school generated $150 million in research from the Student Symposium. This money is being urged to be returned to the students for more research. UMSG isn’t trying to pull support, rather, they are trying to gain support for the students from the school.

This funding issue has put UMSG up against a wall. They either have to choose to continue to pull funds out of the student activity money or withhold the money and not be able to have the Student Symposium put on the event as it once was. This would limit their ability to feed guests and decorate adequately.

Because of this issue, UMSG has written a two-page letter to Dr. Joan Ferrini-Mundy, President of UMaine, which has been passed by the senate in UMSG already. This letter was written to alleviate these issues and funding concerns before springtime. UMSG hopes to send the article to the administration early next week.

“The Graduate Student Government is urging the University of Maine to invest more in the student symposium. The University of Maine expects graduate students to participate in the Student Symposium and volunteer their time and effort. To continue to support the Student Symposium, we hope to see the university provide more resources to make this a successful event. Graduate student activity fees should be going back to graduate students through programs like grants and clubs, rather than to fund a student symposium, when GSG provides many other in-kind services, such as poster boards and student volunteers,” said the Graduate Student Government in a statement.

If there are any questions or inquiries about the letter or this issue as a whole, you can contact UMSG Vice President Keegan Tripp or UMSG Vice President of Financial Affairs Paige Allen.

Keegan Tripp: keegan.tripp@maine.edu

Paige Allen: paige.allen@maine.edu

At the University of Maine Student Government (UMSG) on Oct. 24, two clubs were granted preliminary recognition. Guest speaker Dr. Scott Marzilli spoke of tutoring opportunities for undergraduate students and new business involving funds toward the campus swing set.

Club Maintenance:

The Boxing Club presented UMSG with a proposal to create a campus boxing club. They currently have 14 members but are looking to have their numbers climb to 30 by December. Their first meeting will take place on Friday, Nov. 3rd. The Boxing Club has yet to decide on a location but is in active discussion over determining a meeting space. The vote on recognition passed unanimously. 

The Wilson Center came to UMSG to propose the idea of a club that would build a bridge between UMaine and the Wilson Center to boost student involvement and volunteer work. The club’s hopes are to be driven by the vision of its members. A similar club existed in the 1990s but folded in 2003. Many in attendance supported this club’s campaign to retake its place on campus. Vice President Chaplin made it a point to say that there is “No other place on campus I have felt so accepted” and that “it is an incredible organization that I would love to see pass.” The resolution to accord this club with preliminary recognition passed unanimously. 

Guest Speaker:

Guest speaker and Associate Provost Dr. Scott Marzilli talked about the positive tutoring services here at UMaine. KNACK is a program that offers tutoring to undergraduate students by any tutor who has obtained a B+ or higher in that course. Students are urged to apply, and pay for tutors is based at $15 an hour. Dr. Marzilli also brought up the “Black Bear Progress Alert,” which is a program used by faculty for freshman students to keep them on track. Faculty use this to not only ensure students are doing well academically but to make sure they can get to the right class, access Brightspace, etc. Students pinged for concern will be contacted via email. For any further information or questions, contact Senator Meredyth Waters.

Executive Reports:

Students have brought up the need to discuss financial support for the new Undergraduate Student Symposium Committee. Students interested in this symposium or who have experience in this field are being urged to join. Committee meetings occur on Fridays at 4 p.m. Contact Joshua Bone for inquiries.

President Michael Delorge brought up the issue of cockroaches and mold on campus, which was brought to his attention by many students. Members of UMSG and the school administration have been made aware of this issue, and the concern will be addressed in future meetings and discussed alongside other concerns raised by students.

Vice President Keegan Tripp discussed creating a food and dining committee as part of the academic affairs revamp.

Representative Board Reports:

Advisor to Student Government Lauri Sidelko reported on interfraternity affairs in place of Justin McCauley. All members of fraternities will now need to be in good standing with the Interfraternity Council to recruit new members. The Senior Class Council representative Nathalie Poulin touched on the “Senior Series” being held on Nov. 2nd in the career center on campus. Seniors can talk to counselors about post-graduate concerns, job opportunities and more.

New Business:

A request for funds to repair the swing set near the Maine Bound Center was proposed. Repairs were already done without funds, but retroactive approval for the repairs is now being requested. Sidelko mentioned repairs being pushed through early due to the high demand from alumni coming for homecoming weekend. The swing set was unsafe and no longer capable of supporting weight. Students and staff are very adamant this is something that we need on campus. Funding for lights and cameras near the swing set is to be discussed in the future to prevent any more damage and violations. The resolution for funding was unanimous. 

A request for funds to reinstate the Student Athletic Advisory Council to the General Student Senate was proposed. This act would empower the D1 sport co-presidents as representatives of UMSG so they can be established as paid employees. This act will also serve as a bridge between student-athletes and UMSG, as UMSG will be able to report on their activities and give them a voice at meetings. This resolution was also approved.