On Jan. 20, 2025, the Trump Administration removed a federal policy that had discouraged immigration enforcement at protected locations — including schools, hospitals and places of worship. Under this policy, agents needed higher-level approval and exceptional circumstances to act inside schools or universities. This means immigration officials no longer require special permission to conduct surveillance, question students, or make arrests on public parts of campuses across the nation. At the University of Maine, concerns about how this national policy change could impact the school and whether or not campus police will be aiding in investigations detaining students remain. These concerns were recently raised by students, such as members of the UMaine chapter of Jewish Voices for Peace (JVP). As of now, student concerns have yet to be fully addressed by the UMaine Police Department (UMPD). 

In an email sent last week that was shared with the Maine Campus, UMaine JVP described its recent efforts to seek clarity from campus police leadership. On April 8, group members had contacted Chief William Flagg of the UMPD requesting a meeting. 

“In meetings with UMaine Administration, they have stressed that ‘If ICE ever does come up to campus UMPD would hear about it first, because UMPD has a great working relationship with the Bangor ICE office,’” said Willow Cunningham and Talia Cullum reflecting on the outreach attempts in an interview.”This sentiment worries us, and we hoped that meeting with Flagg would clarify how this relationship might play out in practice,” 

After several days without a reply, UMaine JVP gathered and a group of eight students walked to the on-campus police station on April 18 to request a meeting directly. According to UMaine JVP, they were turned away and later received an email stating that Flagg was “not in a position to meet regarding this topic, especially given the sensitive nature of the information requested.”

To UMaine JVP member Cullum, “by refusing to provide any information at all to the very students UMPD are meant to ‘protect and serve,’ Chief Flagg undermines the trust students have in our campus police.”

“This sudden change in demeanor is alarming — especially given the recent high-profile detention of foreign-born students at college campuses across the nation,” said Cullum.

Rather than being provided a firm response, UMaine JVP members were instead referred to an email from UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy that was sent out on Jan. 29. This message, titled “Update on Administration Executive Orders,” was addressed to the entire student body and explained how the University was prepared for immigration enforcement on campus.

The open letter went on to explain campus access, citing the university as an institution generally open to the public. However, this does not extend to “restricted access spaces” such as residence halls and research labs. In these cases, “non-university law enforcement officials, including those of immigration agencies, generally are not allowed to access restricted spaces without a warrant or being accompanied by authorized university personnel,” stated Ferinni-Mundy’s email. 

The message also guided staff and students on how to respond if approached or contacted by ICE officials. The recommendation was to “remain calm and immediately contact UMPD at 207-581-4040 or through the Black Bear Safe campus safety app,” said Ferinni-Mundy. According to the email, UMPD will be able to advise on your rights as well as the resources available to you. 

Under the U.S. constitution, individuals who may be sought out by ICE are still protected by the Fourth Amendment, which would require immigration officers to acquire a judicial warrant to enter private areas without owner permission. 

Yet, the distinction between public and private locations on campuses can be unclear. According to the Presidents Alliance, nonpublic spaces include areas “restricted by university-issued ID cards, locked doors or monitored entryways, university residence halls and other monitored-entry spaces.” However common spaces, dining halls and walkways still fall under public. 

The Presidents Alliance also explains that “nonpublic spaces should be clearly designated,” and that “institutions could consider creating policies related to federal immigration enforcement visits.” This could include clear signage that designates public and nonpublic areas on campus, as well as policies set for how campus officials will respond in the event ICE officials enter the campus. 

Across the country, the removal of these protections against unreasonable immigration enforcement has the potential to affect millions of people across the nation. Reports of ICE targeting international and undocumented students at Columbia University, Tufts University, the University of Minnesota and others have been growing. Many of these students have been targeted due to their involvement in political activism.

As federal immigration policies shift, UMaine faces ongoing challenges in balancing legal obligations with campus community expectations. While the university has outlined general procedures, questions about how these policies will work in practice remain. Continued communication and careful attention to student concerns will be important as the situation develops.

A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) must return essential school meal funding to the state of Maine, after the agency froze the money on April 2 in response to Maine’s policy allowing transgender girls to compete in girls’ sports. The decision, issued April 11 by U.S. District Court Judge John Woodcock, grants the state a temporary restraining order. That means federal funding will flow again to support school meal programs for thousands of children, as well as food assistance for low-income families, childcare centers and people with disabilities across the state. 

The USDA had halted the funding earlier this month on April 2, citing alleged violations of Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education. The agency claimed Maine’s inclusive sports policy went against that law. 

Judge Woodcock then ruled that the USDA didn’t follow proper procedures when it froze the funds: specifically that it gave no formal warning or chance for the state to respond. The judge however did not rule on whether Maine’s policy is legal under Title IX, only that the USDA couldn’t skip due process. 

Funding may be temporarily safe, but at the core of this conflict is a battle over how Title IX applies to transgender students.

Under the Biden Administration, Title IX guidance was expanded to include gender identity as a protected category. But after the 2024 election, the USDA — now operating under the Trump Administration — has shifted back toward a narrower definition of sex as biological sex assigned at birth. Maine’s policy, which allows students to participate in school sports according to their gender identity, directly conflicts with this new stance.

The USDA’s decision to freeze funding was one of the first major actions taken under this rollback. Maine was given a clear message: change your policy or lose your funding.

In response, Attorney General Aaron Frey sued the federal government, saying the USDA’s actions were politically motivated and dangerously punitive. Governor Janet Mills has also stood firm, arguing that Maine’s policy reflects the state’s commitment to fairness and inclusion — and that it’s legally sound.

To better understand what this case means for students, The Maine Campus met with Mark Brewer, a political science professor at the University of Maine. Brewer emphasized that this decision is an early one, and that the situation could change quickly. 

“What happens after the temporary restraining order expires? That depends on what happens at the next administrative and/or judicial steps. There are so many different possible outcomes that it really is difficult to answer this question,” said Brewer. 

Even though the court ordered the USDA to restore funding for now, Brewer said the broader legal battle over Title IX and transgender rights is just beginning.

“This is a very early step in what will almost certainly be a very long process to determine first the interpretation and eventually the enforcement of Title IX in terms of gender identity,” he said.

So far, Maine leaders have given no sign that they’ll back off their current policies. Brewer said that’s unlikely to change unless the U.S. Supreme Court forces the issue. He was then asked if Maine is likely to adjust any policies to avoid future conflict with the federal government.  

“Likely not at this point,” said Brewer. “If the U.S. Supreme Court tells Maine it has to do so, this would be a different story.”

While the lawsuit plays out in the courts, public support could influence how state and federal leaders respond. If students are concerned about the potential loss of funding or want to support policies that protect LGBTQ+ rights, Brewer says speaking up is important.

“Students should contact their Members of Congress to advocate that funding be protected,” he said.

The funding freeze, even if temporary, raised serious concerns across Maine. Without that federal funding, school nutrition programs might have had to cut back or shut down, leaving many students and families without regular access to meals. Now that the funding is restored those fears have eased, at least temporarily. 

 “The one thing students can likely be sure of is continued conflict and uncertainty,” said Brewer.

On April 11, student organizations All Maine Women, UMaine TRIOTA and the University of Maine Student Government (UMSG) hosted Take Back the Night to push back against sexual violence and the culture of silence that allowed it to continue. The event gathered students, staff and community members on the steps of Fogler Library in an evening of solidarity.

In 1972, a group of women at the University of South Florida donned witches’ hats and cloaks, grabbed brooms and marched across their campus. Throughout the 1980s, colleges and communities across the U.S. began holding marches and rallies under the same name, “Take Back the Night.” In 2001, the Take Back the Night Foundation was created to support this growing grassroots network.

The crowd was met with personal stories and a call to action. Organizers emphasized this was not only about tradition—it was about accountability, healing and collective action.

Casper Cowan, a third-year UMaine student studying psychology and women’s, gender and sexuality studies, served as one of the lead organizers. Representing TRIOTA, Cowan emphasized the personal connection he felt to the event:

“I’m a survivor of sexual assault, and it’s been a very recent struggle to deal with. I’ve kind of channeled that energy into wanting to help other people because there’s a lot of isolation in an issue like this” said Cowan. 

Cowan was joined by Amanda Levesque, a fourth-year student and member of All Maine Women.

“Thank you all for your attendance today and for your willingness to stand with us in support of our community as we continue to fight against sexual violence,”said Levesque. “Your presence here means more than words can express. It sends a powerful message of solidarity, compassion and commitment to change.”

Levesque also reminded attendees of the historical roots of the movement.

“Take Back the Night marches began in the 1970s as a response to the silence surrounding sexual violence, especially the danger women faced simply walking alone at night. Over time, what started as small group actions grew into a global movement uniting communities in resistance,” said Levesque.

The event included remarks from UMSG President Keegan Tripp, who announced plans for a new student-led initiative called the Blue Bandana Project. The idea is to train students in basic crisis support, equip them with resource cards and give them a blue bandana to display on their backpacks—a quiet signal that they’re a safe person to approach if someone needs help.

“It’s not about being a hero,” said Tripp. “It’s about being prepared, being aware and being there. This is something we’ve seen on other campuses, and I think it’s time we bring it to UMaine.”

Take Back the Night also brought together several key organizations offering confidential resources, counseling, and education for survivors of sexual violence. These included Partners for Peace, Rape Response Services, and Mabel Wadsworth Center—a Bangor-based sexual and reproductive health clinic.

Aspen Ruhlin, a representative from Mabel Wadsworth Center reflected on the long arc of healing and activism:

“There is a good chance that the Take Back the Night event I attended almost 13 years ago saved my life. At the very least, I would’ve had a much longer, harder road to healing without it. Supporting survivors is recognizing there is no such thing as a perfect victim,” said Ruhlin. “Victim-blaming is an essential pillar of rape culture. It is on all of us to fight for a better world.”

The focal point of the event was the survivor speak out. Attendees were invited to read anonymous testimonies submitted in advance or to share their own if they felt comfortable doing so. Some brought stories written by others, while others came forward with their own stories.

“You’re never alone,” Cowan told the crowd. “Unfortunately, there are a million other people who have experienced something just like what you’ve experienced. You’re not alone in loving someone who’s gone through it either. And if we can acknowledge that and move together, we can build something.”.

Maine’s Aspirations Program allows high school students to enroll in college courses and earn credits for free to gain experience in higher education and reduce the overall cost of a degree. The program is made possible by a $5.5 million appropriation from the State to the Maine Department of Education (DOE). Previously, students were able to take up to 12 credits per year for the duration of high school. However, on March 5, the University of Maine System (UMS) announced a change the DOE made to this policy. Starting with the class of 2027, Maine high school students participating in early college programs will face a new credit cap of a lifetime total of 18 credits — a significant reduction from the previous system where some students were able to accumulate up to 36 or more credits before graduating high school.

In an interview with the Maine Campus, Chief External and Governmental Affairs Officer for UMS Samantha Warren provided further detail on the reasoning behind program changes despite the potentially-negative impact on prospective students.  

“[The] state reimbursement rate for some UMS early college courses was recently reduced from about $145 per credit hour down to $60 to stretch limited funding and maintain student access, though that change is challenging UMS universities’ already-strained budgets,” said Warren.

The program has seen record participation in recent years, with 5,181 students enrolled in the UMS early college courses during Fall 2024 alone. According to the UMS press release regarding the program changes, “rural students who participated in early college were 12 percentage points more likely to graduate from college compared to their peers who did not.”

For these students, early college serves as a stepping stone into higher education, providing the confidence and skills necessary to succeed in a university setting.

The driving force of this change is the financial strain the DOE currently faces. The DOE shared that the cap will distribute funding more equitably across students. With state resources limited, the goal is to ensure as many students as possible can benefit from early college opportunities. Under the previous policy, some students were able to accumulate up to 36 or more credits before graduating high school, using a significant portion of the available resources.

“Perhaps no State program has had a greater impact on raising Mainers’ postsecondary aspirations and reducing their time to a door-opening degree and the workforce than early college,” said Warren. “We are committed to partnering with the Maine Department of Education, the Legislature, and the community college system to ensure that State policy and investment keep up with the ongoing growth of this proven program.”

Supporters of the policy change believe that spreading resources across a wider pool of students will ensure fairer access. By maintaining a balanced distribution, the state hopes to sustain early college participation without dramatically increasing funding requirements. Additionally, on average, students earn six credits through the program before entering college, which amounts to only half of the allotted amount under the new policy.

However, critics argue that the cap may hinder students who rely on early college to reduce the cost of a four-year degree. For families already struggling to afford college, the inability to earn more than 18 additional credits for free could mean greater financial burdens down the line. This could be particularly detrimental for first-generation college students and those from low-income households who are relying on early college as a financial lifeline.

To further balanced access, students participating in Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways will receive a slight exception to the cap. Those enrolled in designated early college career pathways, which often include co-requisite college courses, may earn up to 24 tuition-free credits instead of 18 at most. Students who wish to take additional courses beyond the cap can still do so at the reduced early-college tuition rates set by UMS and MCCS.

While the new policy is set to take effect with the class of 2027, conversations about state funding and the future of early college are ongoing. Advocates for expanded funding are pushing for legislative changes to increase the budget and remove or adjust the cap.

In the meantime, students, parents and educators can stay informed and explore alternative opportunities for earning college credits. Dual enrollment programs, Advanced Placement courses, and scholarship programs may help fill the gap for students seeking to reduce college costs.

The long-term impact of Maine’s early-college cap will likely depend on if the state can balance the goals of equitable access and affordability in the years to come. As stakeholders continue to assess the effects of the credit limit, adjustments may be considered to ensure students from all backgrounds maintain meaningful access to higher education.

Approximately 80 students at the University of Maine gathered in protest on March 7, demanding that the University divest from corporations linked to Israeli-military funding and defense. Led by UMaine Jewish Voices for Peace (JVP), the protest called for the Board of Trustees (BoT) to reallocate university funds away from companies they claim are complicit in violence against Palestinians. 

“The people united will never be defeated,” chanted participants. Despite below-freezing weather, the event drew in a record number of people for a UMaine JVP-led demonstration. The crowd was led by UMaine JVP president Talia Cullum, who encouraged students to attend the BoT meeting on March 10. 

“Tell them that they can’t comply forever. Tell them at some point very soon they’ll have to start fighting for our interests,” said Cullum to the crowd.

For the first time, a JVP protest attracted counter protesters. Standing on the sidewalk in front of the steps was less than a dozen people waving Israeli flags. By the end of the protest, two remained. 

The student protesters set two clear demands: for the BoT to divest the $1.6 million invested in “companies that have been proven to be complicit in Israel’s apartheid and genocide campaigns in Gaza,” and for the BoT to “adopt the Jerusalem declaration on antisemitism,” said Lucas Bent, an event speaker, student and member of UMaine JVP. The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism establishes clear definitions on what constitutes antisemitism. 

For instance, in reference to what defines antisemitism, the declaration reads “Israel and Palestine: examples that, on the face of it, are not antisemitic…[include] supporting the Palestinian demand for justice and the full grant of their political, national, civil and human rights, as encapsulated in international law.”

“Unfortunately, on December 17, 2024, the executive committee of the UMaine Board of Trustees summarily rejected all of our demands at once, without a formal vote. Truthfully, our complicity is bombing people… This is fascism and right now our Board of Trustees is sitting in compliance with its every mandate. Do we take Fascism sitting down?” said Bent.  

This gathering follows President Trump’s threat to defund schools that allow such protests to occur. UMaine JVP president Talia Cullum shared her thoughts on the threat. 

“We will not back down from big threats from the president, and hopefully we can set an example for our university’s administration,” said Cullum.

The students were not only asking that the University divest from Israel, but also demanded that the voices of the people be heard by the administration. Asher Reisman, history graduate student at UMaine, called for the people to fight for their rights to democracy. 

“In 1859, hundreds of thousands of Black Americans joined the Union cause following the hanging of John Brown,” said Reisman. “This grew abolition and civil rights from a fringe idea to the cause of the greatest military and social enterprise up to that time. We cannot forget this, we cannot forget the possibility of radical action at scale.”

The protest concluded with a peaceful march around the campus and down the Memorial Union toward the Alfond Arena. All along the way, the crowd chanted their demands: “Free, Free Palestine. UMS must divest. We will not stop, we will not rest.” 

Any students interested in supporting or joining UMaine JVP can learn more through its website. Additionally, JVP members will be giving public commentary at an upcoming BoT meeting on March 10 at 10 a.m. at the Wells Conference Center.

Approximately 80 students at the University of Maine gathered in protest on March 7, demanding that the University divest from corporations linked to Israeli-military funding and defense. Led by UMaine Jewish Voices for Peace (JVP), the protest called for the Board of Trustees (BoT) to reallocate university funds away from companies they claim are complicit in violence against Palestinians. 

“The people united will never be defeated,” chanted participants. Despite below-freezing weather, the event drew in a record number of people for a UMaine JVP-led demonstration. The crowd was led by UMaine JVP president Talia Cullum, who encouraged students to attend the BoT meeting on March 10. 

“Tell them that they can’t comply forever. Tell them at some point very soon they’ll have to start fighting for our interests,” said Cullum to the crowd.

For the first time, a JVP protest attracted counter protesters. Standing on the sidewalk in front of the steps was less than a dozen people waving Israeli flags. By the end of the protest, two remained. 

The student protesters set two clear demands: for the BoT to divest the $1.6 million invested in “companies that have been proven to be complicit in Israel’s apartheid and genocide campaigns in Gaza,” and for the BoT to “adopt the Jerusalem declaration on antisemitism,” said Lucas Bent, an event speaker, student and member of UMaine JVP. The Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism establishes clear definitions on what constitutes antisemitism. 

For instance, in reference to what defines antisemitism, the declaration reads “Israel and Palestine: examples that, on the face of it, are not antisemitic…[include] supporting the Palestinian demand for justice and the full grant of their political, national, civil and human rights, as encapsulated in international law.”

“Unfortunately, on December 17, 2024, the executive committee of the UMaine Board of Trustees summarily rejected all of our demands at once, without a formal vote. Truthfully, our complicity is bombing people… This is fascism and right now our Board of Trustees is sitting in compliance with its every mandate. Do we take Fascism sitting down?” said Bent.  

This gathering follows President Trump’s threat to defund schools that allow such protests to occur. UMaine JVP president Talia Cullum shared her thoughts on the threat. 

“We will not back down from big threats from the president, and hopefully we can set an example for our university’s administration,” said Cullum.

The students were not only asking that the University divest from Israel, but also demanded that the voices of the people be heard by the administration. Asher Reisman, history graduate student at UMaine, called for the people to fight for their rights to democracy. 

“In 1859, hundreds of thousands of Black Americans joined the Union cause following the hanging of John Brown,” said Reisman. “This grew abolition and civil rights from a fringe idea to the cause of the greatest military and social enterprise up to that time. We cannot forget this, we cannot forget the possibility of radical action at scale.”

The protest concluded with a peaceful march around the campus and down the Memorial Union toward the Alfond Arena. All along the way, the crowd chanted their demands: “Free, Free Palestine. UMS must divest. We will not stop, we will not rest.” 

Any students interested in supporting or joining UMaine JVP can learn more through its website. Additionally, JVP members will be giving public commentary at an upcoming BoT meeting on March 10 at 10 a.m. at the Wells Conference Center.

Today, there are nearly 43 million people in the U.S. reliant on federal student loans, with a total debt of $1.773 trillion, according to a recent report from the Education Data Initiative. The debate over the structure of these loans is ongoing as the Trump administration attempted to impose a pause on federal grant payments. On Jan. 28 U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan blocked this pause, ensuring that institutions continue to receive federal funds. In response to growing student concern, the University of Maine recently established a federal transition information website to provide updates as federal changes occur since the University must comply with evolving state and federal laws as a public institution. 

In 2024, UMaine received $226.1 million dollars in federal funds, and as of now will continue to receive funds through 2025. This is largely due to the Temporary Restraining Order that directed federal grant-making agencies to “not pause, freeze, impede, block, cancel, or terminate… awards and obligations to provide federal financial assistance to the States, and… not impede the States’ access to such awards and obligations, except on the basis of the applicable authorizing statutes, regulations, and terms” Despite this, the Trump administration maintains that the executive order to pause funding is still in effect.

As for individual federal student loans, this order has no impact on the allocation of funds. Through the confusion FAFSA has remained up and running, and all direct student aid is affected. Students will continue to receive federal aid despite the attempted pause. 

In fact, the White House issued an official statement, clarifying that “the pause does not apply across-the-board” and that “any program that provides direct benefits to Americans” — like Social Security, Medicare and food stamps — “is explicitly excluded.” This extends to direct federal student loans. 

Universities across the nation continue to push back against attempts to cut back federal funding. On Feb. 7. The National Institute of Health announced they would be capping the indirect cost rate for research grants to 15%. “In response, 22 states, including Maine, led a lawsuit and on Feb. 10, a federal judge temporarily paused the change for Maine and other states included in the suit at least until a hearing on Feb. 21,” according to the UMaine System.

This change would have major implications on federally funded research, placing more financial burden on R1 research institutions including UMaine.

All of this comes amidst the Trump Administration threatening to eliminate the Department of Education. Linda McMahon, Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Education, confirmed that the department could not be eliminated without a majority vote in Congress. While the law is unlikely to be passed, McMahon said “the department’s funding would be analyzed and potentially distributed differently,” according to Investopedia on Feb. 14.

Despite this, McMahon stated plans to expand the Pell Grant program to include certificate programs. 

“I definitely think that workforce Pell Grants are something that could stimulate our economy. That would get those students into the workplace faster if they want to be electricians, HVAC developers, as well apprenticeships and internships,” said McMahon.

Additionally, she hopes to implement Public Service Loan Forgiveness Programs. This would provide debt relief to public service workers, including first responders and military personnel. McMahon’s anointment is pending Senate confirmation. Her candidacy faces major backlash in light of her support for eliminating the Department of Education. 

The Legal Defense Fund (LDF), the organization who litigated Brown v. The Board of Education, warns that McMahon poses a threat to minorities across the nation. The LDF, in an official letter, to Congress wrote “as the leader of the foremost agency of education policy and programs in our nation, the U.S. Secretary of Education is entrusted with one of the most sacred responsibilities within our democracy: to guarantee that every student, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or LGBTQIA+ status, is afforded the opportunity to succeed. Through her troubling words, actions, and otherwise limited experience, Linda McMahon is wholly unsuited for this position,” (naacpldf.org). 

Overall the Trump Administration has brought significant changes to the White House. The Department of Education continues to be under attack, and policies are being upheaved that have been in place for decades or more. As of now students should not be concerned about their direct federal student loans.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing industries across the world. However, these advancements come with a cost. According to a Jan. 7 article published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), “data centers could account for up to 21% of overall global energy demand by 2030 when the cost of delivering AI to customers is factored in.” These technologies are finding their way into industries across the nation, including education and energy management. To better understand this topic, Professor for the University of Maine School of Earth and Climate Sciences Dr. Karl Kreutz provided their input on environmental implications of increased AI use across universities like UMaine.

According to Dr. Kreutz, the major obstacle universities across the nation face is determining how to account for the growing energy consumption. 

“AI certainly doesn’t seem like it’s going to go away. So we have to figure this out. The prudent thing to do is to choose pathways that are responsible for future generations and the environment,” said Dr. Kreutz. 

While there are many factors to consider in order to model a new energy infrastructure that would support increased AI use, Dr. Kreutz believes a particular focus should be placed on limiting its impact on the climate. Unfortunately, the most responsible choices simply are not always feasible. 

For instance, the UMaine Office of Sustainability prides itself in making our campus more green. Their goal, as they state, is that “sustainability awareness and a genuine concern for the health of our environment become second nature to each and every member of the UMaine community.” Despite this, UMaine still relies on fossil fuels.

“When you walk around campus in the winter, you’ll see steam plumes coming up, and probably not that many students understand that this campus’s energy generation and distribution system is still from the 1800s,” Dr. Kreutz said. 

To Dr. Kreutz, this lack of awareness around a potentially harmful energy generation system represents a larger theme of how the general public is unaware of the inner workings of energy policies across college campuses. 

Dr. Kreutz shared that retrotting the entire campus with a new heating system would be incredibly costly and obtrusive, meaning that as of now, burning fossil fuels is the best option the University has. Regardless, UMaine may be falling behind.

 “More than 40 colleges and universities now obtain 100% or more of their electricity from renewable energy sources” according to a 2020 review by Environmental America. With AI becoming increasingly prevalent in the education sector, now more than ever making the switch to renewable energy sources seems vital to protecting the environment and curbing climate change.

Just as with any topic, there are two sides to this coin. Across the globe, there is a growing concern for the impact of AI on fossil fuel consumption. 

“On the other side of the coin, you have some people saying that as these AI systems grow and become more sophisticated, that’s going to lead to breakthroughs in energy efficiency which will then reduce the amount of energy that AI is going to need in the future,” said Dr. Kreutz. 

Despite this, Dr. Kreutz stated that the ultimate goal of carbon neutrality will rely heavily on the development and use of green energy sources.

For many students and staff on campus, mitigating environmental impacts of AI use seems well out of their control. Many assert that the largest impacts result from choices made by major corporations and the more powerful nations across the world. Yet, Dr. Kreutz expressed that individuals on campus can make a difference, and a lot of it will come down to education and awareness when evaluating personal use of AI based tools. 

As a final word, Dr. Kreutz urged students to “get educated, make sure you’re participating in elections – because they do have consequences – and pay attention to what’s happening at your local, state and the federal level.”

The concept of burning out has gained particular attention in recent decades as the psychology community seeks to better understand the mechanisms behind it. Literature published in ScienceDirect defines “burnout” as a psychological syndrome caused by prolonged occupational stressors. For college students, burnout tends to be most prevalent throughout the final weeks of the semester. To better understand this phenomenon, Angela Fileccia, LCSW and director at the University of Maine Counseling Center, was asked for her input.

“This is a very stressful time of year because you’ve got all the projects due, getting ready for finals. Some folks are getting ready to potentially head back home, or even head on to study abroad or an internship. So there’s a ton of upheaval that happens,” said Fileccia. 

From years of being a counselor working with college students, she has noticed significant trends when it comes to stress throughout the semester. Fileccia explained that stress can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

“We see a lot of students who are expressing extra stress this time of year, and then with that extra stress means that students stop doing some basic things to take care of themselves. They’re not sleeping as much because they think they’re going to do all the studying instead, or not eating like they usually would, trying to cram as much as they possibly can,” said Fileccia.  

The question remains: How should students best manage their burnout? According to Fileccia, the answer may be simple. 

“Try to really focus on making sure that you’re still doing the basics, like still trying to get some sleep, still eating three meals a day. Like get out and touch some grass, touch some snow if there’s any,” said Fileccia. 

Many students feel inclined to neglect these aspects of their health as they put more energy into their studies. Abby Caruso, a UMaine student and mental health advocate, was asked for their perspective. 

“I’m at the point where it doesn’t even feel worth it to go to my classes because I’m really just there to take a final and be done with it. It doesn’t help that if you have mental health struggles like me, burnout just makes it all worse,” said Caruso. “It has been a struggle to keep myself getting out of bed every day.”

During this stressful period, Caruso emphasized that it is important to remember that “you are not alone.”  Burnout is common among people no matter their mental health status and, as Fileccia describes, is a sign of one’s humanity.

“Our brains aren’t really designed to study for 20 hours at a stretch. That’s not really how our brains work. So, we do try to really focus on what you are going to do to take care of yourself,” she explained.

 Fileccia also shared that the way in which you take care of yourself is not the entire picture. Part of the battle is how you frame this period in your mind. Fileccia defines this idea as a “cognitive distortion,” where our brains tend to frame concepts in a maladaptive light. 

“‘If I don’t pull this all-nighter, if I don’t just put my head down and not even see my friends for the next three weeks, I’m going to flunk out of school.’ For the vast majority of people, that’s not true. What’s important to remember is that this period of time is temporary. The passage of time will occur. You will get through this,” said Fileccia.  “You will make it to winter break.” 

Additionally, there are resources on campus that students can take advantage of, such as those 

provided by the Student Wellness Resource Center. Located in the basement of the Union, the center hosts a number of activities. During finals, there will be therapy dogs in Fogler Library library. 

“There are a lot of things on campus happening between now and the end of finals to help students de-stress. So take advantage of some of those, because those actually will help you be a better student,” said Fileccia. 

Fileccia ended by noting that students should take care of themselves during these final few weeks, and remember that academic performance on exams does not define worth. As children’s illustrator author Charlie Mackesy wrote, “Sometimes just getting up and carrying on is brave and magnificent.”

Hazing remains a hidden crisis across college campuses, despite nationwide preventive laws and policies. Hazing is defined by Maine state law as any group activity that humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers other students. University of Maine Professor Dr. Elizabeth Allen and Program and Training Specialist at StopHazing Jenny Desmond shed light on how education, awareness and the Stop Campus Hazing Act could help reduce the trend of hazing in higher education. 

In the past 25 years, over 50 people died as a result of hazing on college campuses, as per NBC News. Hazing is prevalent among student organizations including fraternities, sororities and club sports, and has been a common occurrence at many universities since the 19th century. Anti-hazing movements have surged across the country in response, headed by organizations including Clery Center and StopHazing. In recent years, these organizations pursued initiatives in education, awareness and policy to curb the prevalence of hazing on a national scale.

Student Life at UMaine defines hazing as “any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses or endangers them regardless of a person’s willingness to participate.”

Hazing is explicitly prohibited by the UMaine student code of conduct and Maine State Law. However, these guidelines alone have not entirely abolished hazing, a gap organizations like StopHazing push to close.

The Stop Campus Hazing Act was introduced in September 2024 to further the fight against hazing across the country. The act was passed by the House and is set to be voted on by the Senate. The bill would require colleges to report incidents of hazing and to publish their hazing policies. This would provide data for the ongoing research that supports hazing prevention programs.

In September, Allen, who has a Ph.D. in Educational Policy, was announced to be heading a nationwide study of college student hazing. This study will be conducted under the college’s new “Hazing Prevention Research Lab” in collaboration with StopHazing.The study aims to better understand the avenues and impacts of hazing on college campuses. 

A particular topic of interest in Allen’s research is the connection between hazing culture and white supremacy, which she explored in a recent study titled, “Unsettling tradition: exploring intersections of campus hazing and white supremacy.” The study highlights tradition within college campuses, uncovering themes of “alumni involvement and influence, pride, and space.” These are proposed to be the avenues in which “whiteness and white supremacy is reinscribed via campus hazing.”

Allen was asked how this type of research will support anti-hazing efforts. 

“Hazing is an abuse of power that intersects with other abuses of power. We can’t just look at it in this simple way, you have to think about how it’s intersecting and overlapping with other forms of harm. So if we address hazing, we’re also helping to address other forms of harm, and if we ignore it then I think we’re not as impactful or effective as we could be in addressing other forms of harm,” said Allen. 

The most challenging aspect in addressing hazing, according to Allen, is the lack of awareness.

“There’s just still so much lack of awareness, and I think that really hinders us. Obviously you can’t solve a problem unless you can name it,” Allen explained. 

Allen shared that hazing is often justified or explained away as harmless tradition, which highlights the lack of awareness of what it is and the harm it can produce. Desmond also offered her thoughts.

“Unaddressed behaviors can become ingrained, creating a cycle of harm among members… Leaders in training may be learning that humiliating, harassing or violent behavior is an accepted or expected way to induct new members and build cohesion,” said Desmond.

The solution they propose, and practice in their anti-hazing programs nationwide, is proper education. 

“Educating groups about how to form healthy teams and groups and focusing on the correct behaviors can be good strategies,” said Desmond.

“Everyone can make a difference. We need everyone to become informed. Learning more about this can help save a life. And not only that, it can help make experiences of belonging so much better, so much more positive and healthy,” said Allen. “Be an agent of change.”