The University of Maine Student Government (UMSG) held its 10th General Student Senate (GSS) meeting of the academic year on Nov. 12 in the Bangor Room of the Memorial Union. It was led by Student Body President Keegan Tripp and Vice President Memphis Peterson. Key aspects of the session included a presentation by University of Maine Police Department (UMPD) Patrol Sergeant Jamey Dover, executive/periodic reports and discussions regarding potential adjustments to the student activity fee. 

Club Maintenance and Recognition

Magic The Gathering Club was the first to request preliminary recognition from GSS. Vice President Baxter Hughes addressed the senate, explaining that the club meets regularly to play Magic, a collectible card game. The senate granted the club preliminary recognition with a clear majority vote.

The Black Bear eSports Club also received preliminary recognition. The club is a space for students to compete in popular esports games such as Smash Bros Ultimate or Rocket League. The club aspires to compete at the collegiate level and affiliate with the eSports Arena, a chain of venues dedicated to esports.

The final club to request and receive preliminary recognition was the Dirigo Journal of Policy, Society and Global Affairs. President Neil Rockey and Treasurer Vassar Harvey represented the journal, outlining their goal to establish an undergraduate publication focused on international affairs, politics and broader social issues. The journal plans to post biweekly content and publish an annual research issue.

Guest Speaker

The meeting welcomed UMPD Sergeant Dover as the guest speaker. 

“My reason for speaking is three fold. First, is to build a bridge between us and the student body…UMPD is about being members of the community; not just cops on campus… I [also] want to talk about two other projects on campus,” said Dover. 

The first project Dover discussed was the Black Bear Safe app, which launched in 2019. He noted features like the ability to call 911 and submit anonymous reports under the “Report A Tip” icon in the app. Dover also emphasized the “friend walk” under the “Virtual Walk Home” icon, allowing friends to virtually monitor walks using location tracking.

“Say it’s 2 or 3 a.m., and you don’t really want to bother your friends and wake them up…our dispatcher can watch you walk live…as soon as you say you arrive safe it [the app] severs the connection,” said Dover. 

The other project Dover spoke about is the UMPD’s new comfort dogs initiative on campus, which is currently being developed. 

Dover suggested the dogs could be a positive influence on campus for students struggling with their mental health, veterans, victims of crime and people going through stressful things on campus such as move in week or finals. The UMPD has a goal of adopting two comfort dogs, but Dover hinted at an uphill battle given “there’s only one [comfort dog] on patrol in the whole state right now.” 

Dover hopes a UMSG member will reach out to help bring the two comfort dogs to campus by writing a letter outlining their benefits and helping to generate student interest in the initiative.

Executive Reports

Tripp began executive reports by sharing that UMSG is still participating in the “It’s Personal” Campaign created by Honors College student ambassadors. A box is located outside the student senate office where students can drop off extra personal care items. The box will remain there until Nov. 22, at which point donated goods will be distributed to members of the UMaine community through the Black Bear Exchange volunteer program. 

Vice President for Student Entertainment Dillon Leeman shared that the Nov. 7 show with comedian Trevor Wallace  at the Collins Center for the Arts, hosted by UMSG, was successful and an apparent hit among the student body. Leeman mentioned that over 810 student tickets were distributed and 620 were redeemed that night. 

Periodic Reports

University of Maine Board of Trustees Student Representative Olivia Britton, shared information about an upcoming board meeting on Nov. 18 at the Wells Conference Center. The meeting begins with an executive session at 8 a.m. and citizen comment at 9:45 a.m. before the BoT agenda begins. Britton expressed that students should feel comfortable making their voices heard during citizen comment. 

Reports of Standing Committees 

Services Committee Representative Beau Michaud shared that Dean Graham, Director of Retail Operations at the UMaine Bookstore, discussed potential changes to the Academic Materials Program (AMP) due to publishers requesting a price increase. Bookstore managers are working to address the issue with AMP, but have decided to keep the price at $239.

Representative Board Reports

Honors College Student Activities Board Representative Amanda Levesque echoed Tripp’s earlier remarks about the “It’s Personal” Campaign, providing more information regarding the program, including multiple locations where students can drop off personal care items. The options are in front of the student senate office and lobbies within Colvin, Balentine and Penobscot halls. 

Senior Class Council Representative Zachary Wentworth wants students to be aware of upcoming changes to the UMaine Spring 2025 commencement. Wentworth shared that the location of the commencement ceremony has shifted from the Alfond Sports Arena to the Bangor Cross Insurance Arena. Commencement will take place on May 11, with 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. sessions.

New Business

Given there was no unfinished business to discuss, GSS moved straight into new business matters. Tripp began by sharing that the Executive Budget Committee (EBC) will review internal policies and financial constraints as they consider raising the student activity fee. 

“I want to make a few things clear that seem to have got lost in translation… Any sort of raise in the activity fee will have to go to an entire student body vote— it has to, by policy…during our executive elections,” said Tripp.

Tripp then clarified that the student activity fee, which currently rests at $78 per term for students with six or more credit hours, may not end up increasing. If it does, the highest it would be raised is $100. 

“Our activity fee right now is one of the region’s lowest, including comparatively to other institutions. For instance, the University of New Hampshire has a yearly fee of $99. Our budget is much smaller, starting out, than other institutions,” said Tripp. 

Tripp shared that he believes UMSG has done a good job of stretching funds compared to other institutions, but is reaching a point where the activity fee will need to be raised to maintain the current spending rate. Tripp partially attributed a rise in spending to promotional efforts encouraging groups beyond sports clubs to ask for funds.

“Two years ago…pretty much only sports clubs understood how to request funding…We had unallocated funds that weren’t being pushed and pulled in so many directions…Our goal was to increase both the transparency and the visibility of UMSG…but what that means is that the demand is bigger and the budget is smaller,” said Tripp. 

Tripp ended by sharing he plans to have an update report ready for GSS to review before winter session so plans can be finalized before spring. 

If you’re interested in attending the next UMSG meeting, stop by the Bangor Room of Memorial Union at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The UMSG Youtube channel also uploads recordings of their weekly meetings here.

University of Maine students will have the opportunity to vote today when polls open at the Collins Center for the Arts (CCA) at 7 a.m. and will have until 8 p.m. to cast their ballot. Nearly 19 million Americans have cast early ballots in the presidential election, according to the Associated Press. Who will emerge victorious is anybody’s guess. Will the U.S. elect Kamala Harris or Donald Trump? Who will win our Maine federal and local elections?

Our live election update coverage can help keep you informed throughout the day, and we will share winners of national and state elections as they are announced.

Live Election updates below (11/5 to 11/6)

9 a.m. (11/6)

As of 9 a.m., the Associated Press reports that Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election. Trump’s win in Wisconsin around 5:30 a.m. put him above the 270 required electoral votes needed to secure the presidency.

Since our last update, Trump also won Georgia and Pennsylvania in addition to Wisconsin.

Kamala Harris won New Hampshire and Minnesota.

In total, Donald Trump won 277 electoral votes, while Harris won 224.

The overall winner in Maine remains undeclared, as it is one of five states where not all votes are counted. Maine counted 73% of votes so far, but data reveals that Harris won Maine’s District 1, while Trump won District 2.

With Trump surpassing the 270-vote threshold, no path to the presidency remains for Harris, despite the five states still uncalled. Not enough votes remain uncounted in Democratic-leaning areas.

Third-party candidate Jill Stein won 1.2% of the votes in Maine, while Chase Oliver won 0.7%.

Maine-Specific Results

More information emerged regarding Maine’s federal and local elections, though some races remain contested as final votes are counted. All information included was reported by the Bangor Daily News. 

Angus King leads in Maine’s federal Senate race with 51.8% of votes, with Demi Kouzounas at 35.6%. David Costello won only 10.1% of votes. An estimated 87% of votes are counted.

In Maine’s 1st Congressional District, Chellie Pingree defeated Ronald Russel, as shared in our last update. The race for Maine’s 2nd Congressional District remains tight, with Jared Golden leading at 50.2% and Austin Theriault at 49.8%. Approximately 91% of votes are counted.

In Maine’s state Senate race for District 8, Mike Tipping leads with 52.4% of the vote, while Leo Kenney won 47.6%. An estimated 82% of votes are counted.

Laurie Osher leads in the Maine House of Representatives District 25 race, winning 67.2% of votes. Thomas Casey won 32.8% of votes, and an estimated 95% of votes are counted.

Results also arrived regarding Maine’s five statewide referendum questions, although definitive winners remain undetermined due to uncounted votes. An estimated 83% of votes are counted.

• Question 1 (Campaign finance reform): 72.7% say YES, 27.3% say NO.
• Question 2 (Research and development bond): 53.9% say YES, 46.1% say NO.
• Question 3 (Historical preservation bond): 50.7% say YES, 49.3% say NO.
• Question 4 (Trails bond): 54.4% say YES, 45.6% say NO.
• Question 5 (State Flag): 56.2% say NO, 43.8% say YES.

11 p.m. to 12 a.m. 

This will be our final election update for the night, and coverage will continue tomorrow morning.

As of 11:45 p.m. and according to the Associated Press, Donald Trump stills leads the race at 230 total electoral votes whereas Kamala Harris comes in at 210 votes.

Since our last update Trump won Kansas, Iowa, Idaho and North Carolina.

Kamala Harris won California, Washington, Oregon and New Mexico, Virginia and Hawaii.

In Maine, Harris won Maine’s 1st District at 10:45 p.m. with Trump expected to win Maine’s 2nd District.

According to the Bangor Daily News, Angus King currently leads Maine’s U.S. Senate race with 50.6% of votes. 19% of votes are accounted for so far. Demi Kouzounas follows at 38.2% and David Costello at 8.6%.

Austin Theriault currently leads the race for Maine 2nd Congressional District at 52.7% of votes, and Jared Golden won 48.6%. An estimated 45% of votes have been accounted for so far.

Chellie Pingree won Maine’s 1st Congressional District, acquiring 57.5% of the vote. Ronald Russel won 38.4% of the vote.

The race for Maine State Senate District 8 remains up in the air with only 18% of votes accounted for so far. Leo Kenney now leads the race at 58.6% of the vote whereas Mike Tipping won 41.4%.

Results for Maine’s House District 25 race remain elusive with no votes reported.

Orono Specific Results

According to the Warden’s Return of Votes Cast, Orono cast a total number of 5471 ballots today. Of those cast, 3676 residents were for Harris and 1523 residents for Trump. Jill Stein won 98 votes from residents and Oliver Chase won 44.

In Maine’s U.S. Senate race, Angus King won 2779 votes from residents, David Costello won 1264 votes from residents and Demi Kouszounas won 1046 votes from residents.

For Maine’s Congressional District 2, 3866 Orono residents voted for Jared Golden and 1359 residents voted for Austin Theriault.

Finally, 3475 residents voted for Mike Tipping and 1766 residents for Leo Kenney.

10 p.m. 

Since our last update and according to the Associated Press, Donald Trump maintained his lead and, as of 10:20 p.m., won 198 electoral votes, whereas Kamala Harris won 112.

Donald Trump secured a win in Missouri, Montana and Utah.

Kamala Harris won Colorado and the District of Columbia.

Maine federal and state races are reporting in at a less rapid pace.

9:15 p.m. 

Numerous states have been called in since our last update, according to the Associated Press.

As of 9:15 p.m., Donald Trump won Wyoming, Louisiana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio and Texas.

Kamala Harris won New York.

Donald Trump won 177 electoral votes whereas Kamala Harris won 99.

8 to 9 p.m.

Polls closed at the CCA after a long day of voting and a strong show of support for the Nation’s civic process as a community. In the last hour that polls were open, the registration and voting line gradually dwindled to a close. Support staff and volunteer poll workers began taking down voting booths and decor. The City of Orono will send off votes to be counted and called in.

According to the Associated Press, Donald Trump won the following states since our last update: West Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee,  Florida, South Carolina and Arkansas.

Kamala Harris won Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware and Illinois.

As of 8:55 p.m., the Associated Press reports that Donald Trump has won 101 electoral votes whereas Kamala Harris has won 71. A Presidential candidate must cross the threshold of 270 electoral votes to be deemed winner of the national election.

6 to 7 p.m. 

It’s dark outside, but the registration line inside the CCA has remained steady throughout the night. There are comparatively fewer voters than during peak voting time after most classes release, from 4 to 5 p.m., but still a strong showing of students waiting to cast their ballot.

According to the Associated Press, several states have been called, including Vermont for Kamala Harris and Kentucky and Indiana for Donald Trump. Polls in many states closed at 7 p.m., including Georgia, a projected battleground state this election.

No major voting problems or interferences have been reported so far, and the next batch of poll closures across the nation will occur at 8 p.m., including the polling center at the CCA.

4 to 5 p.m. 

Crowds at the CCA, particularly at the entrance to the voter registration line, had grown significantly since the morning. The line for registration spanned through the hallway to the Class of 1944 Hall entrance, with dozens of students waiting in line.

Additionally, a table that was advocating anti-abortion stances outside the CCA is pictured below. The table was managed by a newly formed student group called “Students for Life,” and an anonymous representative shared that the group has yet to be confirmed by the University of Maine Student Government.

An anonymous student source shared that the table was asked to move, given that their original placement violated Maine Legislature Statue 682, under permitted “political activities.”

“Influence prohibited: on public property within 250 feet of the entrance to the voting place as well as within the voting place itself, a person may not…influence another person’s opinion,” reads the statute.

Things that constitute influencing opinions can include tabling, displaying t-shirts or distributing any media in favor of a candidate or cause. It appears the group complied and moved further down the pathway.

Ryan Tipping- candidate Mike Tipping’s brother- was spotted standing outside the polls at the CCA, speaking with students.  When asked for a statement, Tipping shared the following.

“We’re thankful students have shown up for this important day in our nation’s history,” said Tipping.

1 p.m. 

Leo Kenney was spotted standing outside the polls at the CCA speaking with students.  Reporters on scene share that he repeated the same statement.

“I’m Leo Kenney, thanks for voting today,” says Kenney.

11 a.m. to noon 

The sun began to peak through the sky as more students gathered to cast their ballot. A line formed in front of Class of 1944 Hall entrance as students wait to register before entering voting booths.

The Maine Campus news team was also on scene interviewing student voters outside the CCA, specifically speaking with first-time voters Sadie Obenauer and Amber Lambert (as pictured below) among others. Thoughts gathered will be shared in a multimedia piece set to be released later this week.

UMaine student Colton Albertson shared his thoughts on the election with staff reporter Jack Kelly.

“This [election] specifically has a lot to do with the women in my family: my sisters and my partner. To get out and vote, it’s for them,” said Albertson.

Cam MacLean, another UMaine student, commented on the current state of the economy motivating his vote.

“I think it’s important for voter turnout and doing your civic duty,” said MacLean. When asked if there were issues that motivated him to vote, he responded, “Probably the economy. As a college student, the economy is important because you don’t have much money and prices are fluctuating.”

9 a.m.

Voters at the CCA are being directed to enter through two separate entrances. Pre-registered voters should enter through the glass doors at the front of the building. Those who are not registered, including new Maine residents or students who haven’t yet registered in Orono, should use the entrance at the Class of 1944 Hall on the side of the building facing Flagstaff Road.

This arrangement was made to prevent bottlenecking or overflow at the front entrance as more students gather to vote throughout the day.

Orono Town Clerk Shelly Crosby clarified when asked for her reasoning behind the decision.

“I’ve never separated my voters from my unregistered voters– meaning that I’ve never had it split where I’ve asked people, when they approach the building, to split and go in two separate entrances. We did that because of the way that the Collins Center is laid out. We were concerned that if we had everyone enter [from the same point], we would end up with a long long and there would be bottlenecking,” said Crosby. 

Crosby also shared where unregistered and registered voters should enter the CCA to vote.

“If someone is [already] registered to vote, and our on our pre-registered list, they enter through the glass building. If they are not [registered]– perhaps brand new to Maine, or an University student registered in another community but not in Orono, but need to register here– they would take the left entrance up to the Class of1944 Hall [in the CCA],” said Crosby. 

7 to 8 a.m. 

Polls at the CCA have opened and students can now begin casting ballots. Students should be aware that the intersection between Long Road and the CCA is closed to traffic, and half of the Belgrade parking lot is closed for parking.

Orono Town Clerk Shelly Crosby commented on the decision to close the intersection in front of the voting area.

“We made the decision to temporarily shut down the road way to protect the voters entering and exiting the voting place,” said Crosby. 

6 a.m. 

The day is just starting,  so there’s plenty of time to get ready and head down to the polls at the CCA to cast your ballot.

Students at UMaine do not need to be from Orono to vote in the election, but they will need a valid ID and proof of on-campus residency to register and cast their ballot.

According to Maine.gov, the following are some acceptable forms of proof of residency:

• Lease statement (written or electronic)
• A driver’s license with a current address
• A passport with a current address
• A utility bill that shows your address
• Vehicle registration if the vehicle has been registered locally
• Bank statement with current address
• Pay stub or employment letter with address (if they’re employed locally)
• UMaine housing portal screen with residency listed

Helpful Resources for Students on Election Day 

• “The 2024 Presidential candidates: policies and platforms explained” by news contributor Corey Nicholas (read here)
• “Meet the Maine candidates” by news contributor Izzi Stubbs (read here) 
• “Trump vs. Harris debate: key stances on economy, abortion, and immigration” by news contributor Izzi Stubbs (read here)
• “UMaine student perspectives on 2024 Maine referendum questions” by news contributor Corey Nicholas (read here)
• “Debates surrounding same-day voter registration continue ahead of the election” by news contributor Izzi Stubbs (read here)
• “Orono works to ensure accessibility among voters with disabilities” by news contributor Quinn D’ Alessio (read here)
• “UMaine students’ guide to ranked choice voting on Election Day” by news contributor Shaelea Perkins (read here)

Warning: This story contains details of domestic abuse that may be upsetting to some readers

Attendees gathered on Oct. 18 near Fogler Library at the University of Maine for the 11th annual Domestic Violence March, organized and led by Maine Business School (MBS) Professor Nory Jones. U.S. Senator Susan Collins was a key speaker among others at the event, which served as both a remembrance ceremony and a call to action against Maine’s ongoing domestic violence crisis.

The march commenced with a welcome from Jones, who was proud to announce that “two of the most accomplished and influential women in Maine,” UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and Sen. Collins, would begin the event with speeches on the steps of Fogler Library.

Ferrini-Mundy emphasized the importance of raising awareness and educating people about domestic violence. She acknowledged the personal connections many attendees likely have to the issue and stressed the need to address often overlooked aspects of domestic violence, such as emotional and psychological abuse. She also shared resources available to students, including free support, counseling and referrals from the UMaine Title IX office in Room 235 of the Memorial Union.

“In the Bangor community, there is Partners for Peace, which has a hotline, support groups and provides access to legal services,” Ferrini-Mundy said. “We are here to create a culture where survivors feel safe to seek support.”

Sen. Collins spoke next, and emphasized the importance of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. She discussed this year’s theme of ending domestic violence and not just reducing it. Collins then referenced the recent tragedy in Bangor, where Virginia Cookson was found strangled in her home. 

“This isn’t something that’s far away or theoretical—it’s right here in our state,” she said, noting that Cookson’s ex-boyfriend, a convicted felon with a history of domestic violence, was charged with her murder.

Collins discussed her co-sponsorship of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which seeks to prevent convicted domestic abusers from accessing firearms. “It includes some strong provisions to close what was known as the so-called ‘Boyfriend Loophole,’” she explained, referring to the gap that allows dating partners convicted of abuse to keep their firearms.

She also mentioned the importance of supporting victims fleeing abuse, stating that “more than 70% of women in domestic violence shelters reported that their abusers had threatened, injured or killed their pets,” according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 

To address this issue, Collins co-sponsored the Pet and Women Safety (PAWS) Act, which provides funding so shelters can accommodate the pets of those fleeing domestic violence. 

Collins concluded by emphasizing the widespread impact of domestic violence in Maine, where it is involved in about half of the state’s annual homicides.

 “No state and no community is immune from the horrors of domestic violence,”said Collins, adding that the rate of domestic violence-related homicides in Maine is significantly higher than the national average. 

Following Sen. Collins’ speech, attendees walked in unison with protest signs along the Mall toward the New Balance Field House. As per tradition, Dean Robert Dana led the march. One sign MBS Assistant Professor Billy Obenauer held read, “Gender Discrimination perpetuates violence against women! Do better Northern Light!” (pictured below). 

Once students filtered into the track area of the Field House, Jones stepped towards the podium once more to introduce Dana, who she noted is retiring this year after over 40 years of service at UMaine. 

Dana reflected on the impact of domestic violence, sharing the tragic story of Jennifer Bailey, a UMaine graduate who was recently killed along with her mother by her father. He took a moment to honor her memory. 

“She was here in the room with us many times. She was a light, and she was a spark. She believed in everything good,” Dana said.

Adjutant General of the Maine National Guard Diane Dunn spoke next, and chose to mention the critical role of bystanders in addressing domestic violence. She urged the audience not to leave without knowing what to do if faced with such a situation. She concluded by stressing the importance of translating the symbolism of the march into meaningful action. 

The final speakers of the night were Deputy Title IX coordinator Heather Hogan and Executive Director at Partners for Peace Amanda Cost. Both stressed the importance of students accessing resources to take action against domestic violence as Dunn referenced in her speech. 

They outlined how Title IX can support students while Partners for Peace assists the broader community. After their remarks, they handed the microphone to Casey Faulkingham, director of development and engagement at Partners for Peace. She read the names of each person who passed away in Maine this past year as a result of domestic violence.

Each time a name was called, a student volunteer brought forth a rose symbolizing the life lost. After the ceremony, UMaine Renaissance performed an acapella song to honor the victims. 

The following is a list of the names Faulkingham read to the crowd.

Kylee Turcotte, 30 (Oct. 6, 2023 – Lisbon Falls, Maine)

Christine Miller, 64 (Nov. 21, 2023 – Thompson, Maine)

Aremean Mayo, 93 (Nov. 25, 2023 – Denmark, Maine)

Michael Willett, 69 (Nov. 25, 2023 – Denmark, Maine)

Amy Nickerson, 50 (Nov. 27, 2023 – Searsmont, Maine)

Braxtyn Smith, 10 (Feb. 18, 2024 – Bangor, Maine)

Emali Sallee, 19 (April 11, 2024 – Minot, Maine)

Dale Gaudreau, 59 (May 28, 2024 – Peru, Maine)

Quayshawn Wilson, 22 months (May 29, 2024 – Thomaston, Maine)

Harmony West, 11 (July 27, 2024 – Mechanic Falls, Maine)

Hope West, 6 (July 27, 2024 – Mechanic Falls, Maine)

Virginia Cookson, 39 (Sept. 25, 2024 – Bangor, Maine)

Lisa Bailey, 58 (Oct. 6, 2024 – Bath, Maine)

Jennifer Bailey, 32 (Oct. 6, 2024 – Bath, Maine)

10/09: 

Around 3:30 a.m., a welfare check was requested at Penobscot Hall regarding an intoxicated male student sleeping in the shower. The University of Maine Police Department (UMPD) responded to the dormitory and woke the student, who was responsive and received a wellness check from the University Volunteer Ambulance Corps (UVAC). The student said he didn’t want to be transported for further medical care. A report was completed and the student was referred to conduct. 

At 2:30 p.m., a disorderly complaint was filed near Oak Hall. The complaint reported a nontraditional male student yelling outside the hall. UMPD responded to the area and made contact with a male student near the hall, but it became clear he was not the one responsible for the disturbance. The suspect was not found.

Around 4:30 p.m., an information complaint was filed at Knox Hall concerning a disagreement between roommates. The parents of the students involved contacted UMPD, requesting that the roommates be separated and moved to different living spaces. UMPD involved residential assistants and the UMaine Student Life office to help coordinate the reassignment of rooms.

10/10: 

At 10 a.m., an information complaint was filed near the UMaine Children’s Center about a student and adjunct professor arguing over who would pick up a child in their care from the center. The report did not clarify their relationship with each other nor the child, but the situation was resolved after UMPD responded to mediate the conversation. 

At about 11 a.m., an information complaint was filed at Jenness Hall regarding a disagreement between a professor and employees at the construction site directly outside Alfond Stadium. The professor explained that he parked in the closed-off area because it was closer to his office, and he has a handicap placard. UMPD contacted the professor and clarified the parking rules surrounding the construction site, explaining that parking is not allowed there despite the handicap placard. The professor agreed to move his vehicle, which resolved the matter. 

Around 10 p.m., a noise complaint was filed at Kennebec Hall concerning excessively loud music coming from a dorm room. UMPD contacted the students in the dorm, who agreed to turn the music down. No further complaints of loud music were reported from the hall that night. 

10/11: 

At 10 a.m., a theft complaint was filed at Jenness Hall by a student who shared that someone had unscrewed and stolen the factory handlebars from their locked bicycle outside the hall overnight. There is no camera outside the hall, so responding officers could not identify a suspect. 

10/13: 

At about 9 a.m., a welfare check was requested at the Doris Twitchell Allen Village (DTAV) residence hall. The request was made by a student who shared that his floor was vibrating and that someone might be trying to communicate in Morse code. UMPD contacted the student and they mutually agreed to make an appointment with the UMaine Counseling Center. After the appointment was scheduled, the issue was marked as resolved. 

At 5 p.m., a harassment complaint was filed by a group of UMaine students who claimed they were being harassed by a group of Husson University students. The UMaine students reported that the Husson students made derogatory remarks and insisted their swim team was superior. UMPD contacted the Husson students and requested they stop the verbal harassment. The students complied, and no further incidents have been reported between the two groups.

10/14: 

Around 10 a.m., a property damage crash was reported near University Park family housing. The day before, a motorcycle was struck and knocked down to its side in a hit-and-run incident. Upon inspection, UMPD found damages totaling less than $2,000, so a crash report was not filed. 

At 11 p.m., a welfare check was requested at Kennebec Hall after a student reported a loud buzzing sound emanating from a room in the hall. UMPD contacted the room’s resident, who was at a local concert and unable to return to address the noise. The student granted UMPD permission to enter the room and turn off the device causing the sound, which resolved the issue.

Thirty minutes later, a welfare check was requested by a UMaine parent for their child living in Somerset Hall. UMPD made contact with the student and asked them to call their parents. 

10/15: 

Around 12:30 a.m., a verbal disagreement was filed concerning a family fight at an apartment within University Park family housing. UMPD determined that the two residents of the apartment had been engaged in a heated verbal conflict, but no physical altercation occurred. UMPD helped mediate and resolve the issue. 

At 6:30 a.m., a welfare check was conducted at a dorm in DTAV after parents called UMPD and asked that officers have the student call them. The student was compliant with the officer’s request, and the matter was resolved.

At about 11 p.m., a female student concerned for her safety filed a suspicious person complaint. She shared that a vehicle had followed her from Augusta to the UMaine campus. The student said there were no verbal threats made or visible aggression from the occupant of the suspicious vehicle, but she found it odd that she had been followed for that long of a distance. UMPD was unable to obtain identifying information. 

10/01:

At about 8 a.m., an information complaint was filed at Somerset Hall by a mother who was seeking assistance securing transportation to visit her son with stage-four cancer. The University of Maine Police Department (UMPD) forwarded the request to the director at Student Life who will resolve the concern. 

Around 11 a.m., an information complaint was filed at the Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center regarding an issue with an on-site contractor. UMPD requested the contractor to leave, and he complied.

At about 3 p.m., a property damage report was filed in the Belgrade parking lot after the front of one student’s car was struck by another student’s vehicle. Both vehicles remained operational, and no injuries were reported. Due to damages exceeding $2,000, UMPD completed a crash report.

At 5:30 p.m., a theft complaint was reported from Hilltop Dining Hall regarding AirPods stolen from a locker at the New Balance Recreation Center. UMPD assisted the student by using Find My iPhone, which initially pinged the location of the Airpods at The Avenue at Orono on Hudson St. UMPD would typically go unit to unit using the pinging technology to pinpoint the exact location, but the phone was turned off – preventing them from playing a sound to aid in the search. The AirPods have not yet been found, and there are no suspects at this time.

Around 6:30 p.m., a female student filed an information complaint through the Black Bear Safe app reporting that a black Nissan with four college-aged males followed her as she walked on campus. She stated that no contact was made, but the incident left her feeling uneasy. UMPD arrived on the scene but found no vehicle, so the complaint was marked as resolved.

10/02:

At around 7 a.m., a property damage crash was filed at Hitchner Hall. The student claimed that his vehicle sustained damage while parked in a lot outside the building. Upon inspection, UMPD found damages totaling less than $2,000, so a crash report was not filed. 

At 5 p.m., an information complaint was filed on Long Road after a black Audi with no plate number was reported to be revving its engine loudly at each intersection on campus. UMPD is still searching for the vehicle, and there are no suspects at this time. 

Around 10:30 p.m., a suspicious complaint was filed by a student in Androscoggin Hall. The student heard someone yelling “help” outside their dorm room, presumably in an adjacent hallway or on a different floor. UMPD responded by searching the area but heard no yelling upon arrival. Nothing appeared out of line and no one was in distress, so the complaint was marked unfounded. 

10/03: 

At about 7 p.m., a suspicious complaint was filed near The DeMeritt University Forest after a forest ranger observed two males acting suspiciously in the woods near the bunker behind the school. Upon responding, UMPD found the two males having a campfire and cooking hotdogs on University property. Despite the fire being properly built, they were informed that cookouts are not allowed on the grounds. The students were instructed to extinguish the fire and leave the area. They complied, so no further action was taken.

Around 11 p.m., a suspicious complaint was filed at the Alfond Stadium in regards to a large group of people hanging around the bleachers who did not appear to be students. After arriving on scene, UMPD found that the group of people were workers getting ready to coordinate their next task on the job. The complaint was marked as resolved. 

10/04:

At 2:30 a.m., an alcohol offense was reported at Somerset Hall. UMPD found two intoxicated male students of legal drinking age lying in the hallway. One was breathing but unresponsive, while the other was responsive but inebriated. Emergency services were called, and the responsive student initially agreed to go to the hospital with UMPD for a safety check. However, he later asked to call his aunt who works as a nurse instead of being transported to the hospital. After speaking with her, he followed her advice and agreed to be transported to the hospital by UMPD. Both students were treated at the hospital. A report was completed and submitted to student conduct.

At around 10:30 a.m., an information complaint was filed at Hilltop Commons after a groundskeeper discovered several alcohol cans near the trail entrance. While a gathering was suspected, the lack of cameras in the parking lot prevented any footage of the entrance. Cameras from the New Balance Recreation Center captured the suspects, but they were too distant to be identified.

Around 9 p.m., an information complaint was filed at Hart Hall. The Resident Assistant (RA) received a suspicious letter that claimed to be from the Department of Defense. UMPD reviewed the letter and deemed it a scam. The RA was advised to not mail anything back to the sender, and the complaint was marked as resolved. 

Around 10 p.m., UMPD made an agency assist for the Maine State Police at UMaine’s University Park on Connecticut Street in Old Town. They were searching for a suspect described as a male “hunter”—though it was unclear whether this referred to a hunter or someone named Hunter. UMPD visited an apartment near the park where the suspect was previously listed as living. Officers were informed the suspect no longer resided there, and no further information was obtained.

10/05: 

At about 1 p.m., an anonymous complaint was filed through Campus Eyes. The report was made by a student that had information regarding another student who ingested cocaine but lives off campus. No specific name was provided for UMPD to investigate, so there are no suspects. 

At 6 p.m., a property damage crash involving two vehicles was reported in front of the UMaine Police Department. The report included few details, but no injuries were noted.

10/06: 

At about 2 a.m., a noise complaint was filed at Patch Hall regarding a motorcycle owner loudly revving their engine in the parking lot. When UMPD arrived, they found a motorcycle still warm to the touch and ran the license plate, which identified the owner as a student. Officers attempted to contact the student, but no one answered the door. UMPD left a message for the student to reach out.

10/07: 

Around noon, a property damage crash was reported in the Belgrade parking lot. A student attempted to pull into a parking space and in the process, damaged a parked vehicle. There were no injuries reported, and damages appeared to be less than $2,000 so a crash report was not filed. 

Also at noon, an information complaint was filed at the Cutler Health Center regarding a vehicle that had been idling in the parking lot since 9 a.m. UMPD responded and left a message for the owner, who was a student in class. The situation resolved itself when the student finished class and found the vehicle running. 

At 5 p.m., an information complaint was filed at Folger Library after an older man with no shoes was seen asking for directions to the nearest vehicle charging station. UMPD searched the library and checked various charging stations on campus but could not locate the individual, so the complaint was marked as resolved.

At about 7 p.m., a suspicious complaint was filed near Valentine Hall. It was reported that a sorority was breaking dishes and glasses near the dumpsters. When UMPD arrived there was no debris found near or within the dumpster indicating that glass had been broken in the area. 

10/08: 

Around 6 p.m., a suspicious complaint was filed near York Hall after an RA shared concerns regarding the mental health of one of their residents. UMPD made contact with the student who seemed fine despite concerns. There were no factors determined that would suggest the student needed help receiving mental health treatment, so the complaint was marked as resolved.

The University of Maine Student Government (UMSG) held its fifth General Student Senate (GSS) meeting of the academic year on Oct. 1 in the Bangor Room of the Memorial Union. This was the 18th meeting of the 45th GSS session, led by Student Body President Keegan Tripp and Vice President Memphis Peterson. Key moments included a presentation from The Maine Campus Editor-in-Chief, Sofia Langlois, as well as executive and committee reports on community updates. GSS also granted final recognition to a new student club and addressed other new business.

Club Maintenance and Recognition

A representative from Black Bears Who Care attended the GSS meeting as the club sought recognition as a university organization. The service club focuses on improving the physical and mental well-being of those in nearby communities like Orono and Old Town. They recently held a bake sale to raise funds for the Shaw House for homeless teens in Bangor and organized a feminine hygiene drive for the Caring Community Cupboard in Old Town. After a majority vote, the club received final recognition and can now request funds for future charitable efforts.

Guest Speaker

The meeting welcomed The Maine Campus Editor-in-Chief, Langlois, as the guest speaker. She discussed how GSS and the UMaine community can get involved with the paper. Founded in 1875, The Maine Campus is the state’s second-oldest college newspaper and has run continuously since. Langlois emphasized that it’s entirely student-run, with 20 articles published every Monday across four sections—news, culture, opinion and sports—each led by a student editor. She noted additional features like YouTube videos, crosswords, horoscopes and comics.

Langlois shared that The Maine Campus returned to print for the first time in five years, distributing over 200 copies of the September edition across campus. She noted that editors are budgeting to continue the print series, with an October edition in the works. 

She also mentioned the importance of the relationship between GSS and the Maine Campus, saying, “What I’m really here to talk about today is the relationship we’ve cultivated with UMaine’s student government, and how we want to continue seeing that grow.”

“Sofia’s doing a really good job. The Maine Campus this year is doing a really good job, and returning to print is a big deal. I highly encourage–especially our first–year senators– to be involved in The Maine Campus. A lot of the stuff in there are aspects of UMaine that people in this room should know about, considering it is campus news,” Tripp said, echoing her sentiments. 

Langlois also outlined how GSS students and the broader UMaine community can get involved, starting with a new feature series in the culture section that will showcase UMSG members and their stories. The series will launch in October with senator features, followed by stories on UMSG representatives and executives.

She encouraged students to submit letters to the editor or guest essays for the op-ed section, especially if they have community stories that haven’t been covered. Submissions can be sent to eic@mainecampus.com, and guidelines are available on The Maine Campus website. Students and senators can also visit the newsroom in Room 143 of the Memorial Union to pitch ideas in person.

Executive Reports

Tripp began executive reports by discussing his tour of Wells Central Dining’s new commons and menu. He addressed a few items with management, including the lack of black bear-themed decor. Tripp also shared an update on the center’s newest addition, eat>NOW– a grab-and-go kiosk powered by Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. He mentioned the store is now open 24 hours, saying, “The Amazon store is now officially 24 hours… the lights aren’t on for energy reasons, and you have to scan your MaineCard to get in after 11 p.m. during late hours.”

Tripp also shared that Wells Dining Center has offered to open dining hall space for student organization events, potentially easing concerns over space for large gatherings or fundraisers.

“So, if any of you are thinking of organizing some student-led thing, reach out to them. I think they’re eager to integrate some student involvement there,” Tripp said. 

Peterson shared that he is coordinating a meeting with a representative from the Campus Victory Project to offer opportunities to GSS members. The project hosts a conference for aspiring campus leaders at the end of each semester, where he says attendees are “taught how to run for that office, and what to expect. It supplies lots of networking opportunities with fellow student leaders in-state and across the country.”

On-Campus Developments

The meeting featured several announcements about new on-campus developments aimed at benefiting students, especially commuters and non-traditional students. Senator Beau Michaud from the Services Committee shared, “Today, the undergraduate student bus program launched. So, if you want $15 off a Concord Coach Lines ticket, head over to DTAV Community Center—and tell your friends.”

During representative board reports, senator Dylan DeMerchant of the Commuter and Non-Traditional Students committee shared that lights will be installed around campus for students traveling later in the evening. 

“The town of Orono…I communicated with them on the issue of lights around trails near commuter lots on campus.” DeMerchant said. No specific solutions in collaboration with Orono were given, but it appears the senator has begun outreach efforts to have the lights installed. 

During the meeting’s periodic reports, Graduate Student Senate (GSE) representative DeMerchant provided an update on the GSE Union. He stated that the union “has been bargaining for a meeting—it has a bargain meeting on Oct. 8 with a location and time coming up. They’ve also been having a long series of talks with the University to get information on worker numbers and general non-identifying information. This request has been ongoing since last year, and the University had to get a subpoena… The union believes the University was taking too long, and the University said they were ensuring compliance with education laws.”

New Business

The meeting moved on to new business after it was announced that there was no unfinished business to address. A representative from the Physical Education Student Organization requested funding to cover lodging and transportation for their annual trip to the Maine Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance conference at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine, from Nov. 3 to Nov. 11, 2024.

The representative explained that providing lodging would alleviate safety concerns related to late-night driving and lack of sleep. Staying on-site would also allow students to attend valuable social events after educational sessions, which are key for networking. The request was for $948 in hotel fare, plus registration costs, totaling $1,773. After some discussion, GSS approved the amended amount recommended by the executive budget committee.

If you’re interested in attending the next UMSG meeting, stop by the Bangor Room of Memorial Union at 6 p.m. next Tuesday (10/8). If you’re unable to come in person, the UMSG Youtube channel uploads recordings of their weekly meetings here.

Two years after Roe v. Wade was overruled, the women in my life can’t help but fret: “What would reproductive health care look like in Maine under another term for Donald Trump?”

Former President Trump’s flip-flop stance on abortion continues to leave voters uncertain. After calling Florida’s six-week ban a “terrible mistake” in a Sept. 17, 2023 interview for NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Trump avoided endorsing a federal ban, saying, “from a legal standpoint, I think it’s probably better handled at the state level.” 

Then, on Aug. 30, CNN reported that Trump would not support expanding abortion access in Florida due to backlash from anti-abortion advocates.

Division over the abortion debate can be felt throughout Maine; still, we’re thought of as a safe haven for citizens from surrounding states to find the medical care they deserve. For instance, Bangor’s only reproductive health care clinic providing abortion procedures, Mabel Wadsworth Center, shared in a Sept. 26 Instagram post that anti-abortion protestors are gearing up for an intimidation campaign outside the clinic. 

The post reads, “In the 40 days leading up to Election Day in November, anti-abortion protestors stand on Mount Hope Ave with misleading and stigmatizing signs, protesting Mabel Wadsworth Center and the essential care and services we provide.”

The onslaught centers like Mabel Wadsworth face extends beyond protestors, and the tactics are more aggressive than many realize. A quick search for “abortion clinics in Maine” will return over a dozen facilities, all supposedly offering women’s health services and support. 

However, many of the local clinics advertised are run by Christian organizations who list themselves as reproductive health care providers, adamant on running Maine’s three real abortion providers out of operation—Maine Family Planning, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England and the Mabel Wadsworth Center.

Fake clinics, often called “crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs)” or “women’s resource centers,” deceive by mimicking the exterior of legitimate reproductive health care clinics. They send advocates to stand outside actual clinics to guilt-trip patients and then redirect them to their religiously affiliated organizations.

According to information collected by the Maine Democratic Socialists of America Abortion Rights Working Group in Aug. 2023, “Twelve of 13 fake clinics in Maine are within three miles of real abortion providers, and six of these clinics are less than 1 mile away from real health care centers,” making the redirection process easy.

CPCs also use veiled language on their websites to divert from their true nature. For instance, a CPC on Forest Avenue in Portland, Maine, named ABBA Women’s Choice, states on its website, “You have three options when it comes to your unplanned pregnancy: abortion, adoption and parenting. We provide education on all your options so you can make an empowered choice for yourself.”

ABBA is directly funded by Christchurch Portland, a Christian church that writes on its website that “ABBA Women’s Choice opens its doors to men and women whose lives have been changed due to an unplanned pregnancy. Many lives have been changed because women were empowered to choose life.”

Regardless of an organization’s political stance on abortion, there’s little moral explanation for purposeful deception in a nation that honors personal liberty. Some may see CPCs as harmless organizations advocating for another perspective on abortion, but they pose a real danger to pregnant people by delaying access to legitimate reproductive health care and preventing medically informed decisions surrounding pregnancy.

According to data reported by the CDC in 2019, “the majority of women who had abortions (57%) were in their 20s. Teens ages 13 to 19 accounted for 9% of those who had abortions.”

Among women ages 15 to 44 surveyed, there were “23.8 abortions per 1,000 non-Hispanic Black women; 11.7 abortions per 1,000 Hispanic women; 6.6 abortions per 1,000 non-Hispanic White women; and 13 abortions per 1,000 women of other races or ethnicities in that age range.”

“The effect of the decisions coming from this Supreme Court are devastating for this country, especially for the communities that are already facing inequalities. Communities of color, immigrants, people who are Black, Indigenous, young, queer and trans—which is why, as we move beyond Roe, we must center the experiences of people most impacted by systemic inequalities,” said Reproductive Health Care Provider Dr. Julia McDonald in front of Portland’s City Hall during a 2022 protest organized by PPH Maine Action Fund,

It’s time for the Maine community to collectively reject and protest CPCs, which target our most vulnerable communities to push forward a religious ideal.

The University of Maine faces ongoing housing challenges as it welcomes a record number of students for the 2024-25 academic year. Amid an ongoing housing crisis on and off campus, students expressed mixed reactions to the University’s temporary housing measures and how Estabrooke Hall’s closure was communicated.

The 2024-25 academic year at UMaine Orono welcomed its largest student body to date, with 10,600 students enrolled (including 2,100 first-year students). 

“We have had an unprecedented demand for housing on campus from first-year and upper class students,” said UMaine Vice President of Finance and Chief Business Officer Kelly Sparks. “This year, UMaine is housing 3,576 students, meeting our commitment to housing all first-year students. Overall, enrollment is up by approximately 13%…[Our student body is] the largest in the System.” 

The pressure for students to secure adequate housing before the semester began only intensified with this higher student population. In light of anticipated housing challenges, students shared concerns of how the closure of Estabrooke Hall —a newly-renovated dormitory converted into an office space after closing in Spring 2024— has contributed to what some deem to be inadequate rooming accommodations offered to students.

Beyond navigating a busier campus and housing crisis, many students are preoccupied with the challenges of full-time enrollment while working part-time jobs. According to the 2023 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), a student taking 15 credits should plan to “dedicate 30 to 45 hours per week to academic tasks.” Approximately 87% of UMaine students are enrolled full-time, according to the UMaine’s Office of Institutional Research and Assessment. 

Besides their academic commitments, 42.4% of full-time college students worked part-time jobs during the previous academic year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. With rising inflation and Zillow reporting Bangor’s median rent at $1,650, more students than ever are working part-time to cover living expenses.

The data highlighting student realities begs the question: “Where do students in overflow housing sleep after a long day of attending classes and working?” 

“I figured it would be the topic of the night…the housing situation on campus. Currently, there are 23 rooms that are tripled, which is 69 students. They have 109 students in temporary lounges, 10 undergraduates temporarily at Hotel Ursa, 20 permanently housed at Orchard Trails and eight students still unassigned, though all were offered housing,” said President Keegan Tripp at the Sept 10 UMaine Student Government (UMSG) meeting.

The closure of Estabrooke Hall reduced residential spaces by 96 beds, prompting UMaine to implement various last-minute solutions to accommodate affected students.

“Students who applied after June 1, and/or paid the housing deposit after July 12, were assigned to overflow housing,” said Sparks.

For some students, these solutions and how they were communicated fell short of expectations. 

“We were told nothing. The University just decided to close down the building… no one reacted because it was done out of the blue,” said an anonymous student Resident Assistant (RA).

The source added that Estabrooke’s rooms were some of the most desirable on campus, stating, “Everyone wanted to be in that dorm. It was newly renovated too.”

Despite ongoing conversations about the adequacy of new housing assignments, students allegedly received a discount for being placed in overflow accommodations. 

“Any student assigned to overflow housing in a triple or lounge — found in Knox, Oxford, Somerset, Androscoggin, Gannett, Cumberland, Hancock, Hart and York Halls — will receive a discount on their housing costs,” said Sparks.

The anonymous RA also reported that they believed students would be refunded 33% of every night they have to stay in the temporary housing.

“Essentially, what I was told is that students affected by temporary housing placements will be getting a 33% refund for their housing–for however many nights they’re in a temporary situation,” confirmed Tripp at the Sept. 10 UMSG meeting. 

UMaine administrators, such as Sparks, seem optimistic and promote the benefits of communal campus living. 

“While these are not our normal housing conditions, it has been exciting to hear about students who have met roommates in their triple or quad that they enjoy— forging relationships that will last a lifetime,” said Sparks. “We’ve had several students from lounges reach out to share that they hope to stay together as long as possible. That is what we see living in campus housing as—creating lifelong friendships, forging communities and discovering your people!”

In contrast, some students remain unconvinced. 

“I know many people who signed up for singles, got confirmed in a single, and then, right before the year started, the University forced their single to become a double,” said the anonymous RA.

 “During RA training, when we were being told about the housing crisis, an RA asked ResLife, ‘Will the university be bringing back Estabrooke to alleviate the housing shortage?’ A director responded, saying: “’I was on a phone call and asked that same question, and it was dismissed.’”

As UMaine grapples with its largest student body and a lingering housing crisis, students are left wondering when the University will find a sustainable solution to ensure that all students —including those who apply late or request single rooms— have secure and comfortable housing before more administrative spaces are prioritized. 

The Maine Campus wants to encourage continued student and faculty feedback on developments regarding the housing crisis on campus and in our communities. Please reach out to news@mainecampus.com with your thoughts.