Students gathered in MLK Plaza on campus to peacefully protest the University of Maine Police Department (UMPD), demanding official protections for international students who are at risk of detainment by Immigrations Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the current Trump Administration. This demonstrative march, held on May 2 by UMaine Jewish Voice for Peace in partnership with Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), sought answers to how university law enforcement would respond to the presence of ICE in consideration of the international student community. 

“We supports students’ right to protest and we’re aware that it’s going to happen. Our priority is the safety of all students and staff and faculty on the University of Maine campus. That has always been and that will never change. We’re here for their safety,” said UMPD Chief William Flagg in a statement on May 1. 

Vice President of JVP Willow Cunningham led the Friday demonstration in rainy weather conditions. They summarized the movement as a push for the UMaine System to protect students, faculty and staff to the fullest extent permissible by law. Cunningham expressed that the dozens of participants in attendance serve as a testament to the student commitment for justice and liberation. 

While the group originally planned to march to the police department on Rangely Road, the location shifted after a conversation that included Cunningham, UMPD Chief William Flagg, and JVP President Talia Cullum. According to Cunningham, Chief Flagg emphasized during the meeting that UMPD was on the side of students, but communications on the matter would need to be coordinated across the administration. Therefore, the participating students decided to march to Alumni Hall to address administrators directly from outside. 

“Dean Gifford reached out to Talia and I saying that Chief Flagg was available to meet with us, and we spoke with him on Wednesday. Until this point, there had been no indication that this was possible or likely,” said Cunningham. “Their hand was forced by the announcement of this action.”

On January 29, an email from Interim Dean of Students Andrea Gifford with the subject line “Update on Administrative Executive Orders, wrote “Much remains to be learned about how the recent federal directives on immigration enforcement, university programs and services, and research funding will affect our universities, and our students, faculty and staff. We will continue to assess and update the community as more details are known.” 

Cunningham emphasized that although there have been new developments throughout the last few months, no further updates were shared with the community by administrators. 

For example, the Department of Homeland Security cancelled roughly 3,000 student visas based on algorithmic searches and deported U.S. citizens along with their parents who are immigrants without a trial or proper procedures, according to Cunningham. AP News reported that “the government said it would issue new guidelines for canceling a student’s legal status.” On April 30, the House Republicans blocked a bill ensuring ICE will not deport American citizens.

“Despite all of these high profile, widely reported and frankly, terrifying attacks on civil rights in our nation, we have heard nothing from our system administrators…They don’t want to attract attention, or say anything that might even hint at being displeased with the current state of affairs,” said Cunningham. 

On April 22, Bates, Colby and Bowdoin Colleges, along with the University of New England, joined 230 university leaders across the country in signing a letter to Trump Administration titled “A Call for Constructive Engagement.” In this statement, the institutions unified in opposition to the “unprecedented governmental overreach” and “political interference” nationally impacting higher education.   

“When UMaine was contacted about this, our spokesperson, Samantha Warren, said ‘No comment.’ Do we really have no comment? It’s ridiculous. As we speak, the the Big Ten universities are working on a mutual defense pact to ensure that any university in the pact targeted by the Trump Administration will have legal and financial support from all of their peer institutions,” said Cunningham. 

After Cunningham addressed the crowd, they led some chants, including, “UMS must not comply! Do not let our freedoms die,” and “What’s our motto? Dirigo! Does that mean silence? No!”

The group first walked through the Memorial Union and then the first floor of Fogler Library, silently displaying their signs. Once arriving outside of Alumni Hall, the chants continued, specifically directed toward President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and Chancellor Daniel Malloy. 

Back at MLK Plaza, Ella Frick spoke to the crowd about a situation where UMPD filed an information report relating to a safety incident. She expressed feeling validated by the organization in that moment, while also insisting that UMPD must clarify its stance on ICE cooperation. 

“My case should not be an isolated incident. This is how the UMPD is obligated to treat each student. I know the international students at UMO… have been facing a terror ten times the size of mine,” said Frick. “The threat of abduction and disappearance by ICE has haunted many immigrants across America.”

A flyer for the event distributed across campus and shared via Instagram by JVP and SDS alleges that UMPD was said by UMaine administrators to have a “great working relationship” with the Bangor ICE Office. Cunningham clarified that the quote comes from Gifford, and was corroborated by Chief Flagg at the meeting on April 30.

According to Gifford, the phrase “working relationship” was misinterpreted. She also noted that the UMaine System is unable to create policies that directly oppose federal regulations. 

“While the UMaine Police Department maintains professional relationships with various other law enforcement agencies, it does not have active partnership agreements related to immigration enforcement and it’s priority is to promote a safe environment for every student, faculty and staff,” said Gifford. 

Cunningham clarified that students and faculty need resources that outline a course of action in the event that ICE enters campus, specifically “who to call, what to do and what to say if contacted by an ICE agent.” While the Jan. 29 email mentioned that residence halls and research labs have restricted access to the public, there is still confusion as to exactly where ICE theoretically may and may not be permitted. 

“We need the UMS administration to be prepared to notify the campus of the presence of ICE agents via the campus-wide alert system, and we need strong clarification on what spaces on campus are considered non-public,” said Cunningham.

Students gathered in MLK Plaza on campus to peacefully protest the University of Maine Police Department (UMPD), demanding official protections for international students who are at risk of detainment by Immigrations Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the current Trump Administration. This demonstrative march, held on May 2 by UMaine Jewish Voice for Peace in partnership with Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), sought answers to how university law enforcement would respond to the presence of ICE in consideration of the international student community. 

“We supports students’ right to protest and we’re aware that it’s going to happen. Our priority is the safety of all students and staff and faculty on the University of Maine campus. That has always been and that will never change. We’re here for their safety,” said UMPD Chief William Flagg in a statement on May 1. 

Vice President of JVP Willow Cunningham led the Friday demonstration in rainy weather conditions. They summarized the movement as a push for the UMaine System to protect students, faculty and staff to the fullest extent permissible by law. Cunningham expressed that the dozens of participants in attendance serve as a testament to the student commitment for justice and liberation. 

While the group originally planned to march to the police department on Rangely Road, the location shifted after a conversation that included Cunningham, UMPD Chief William Flagg, and JVP President Talia Cullum. According to Cunningham, Chief Flagg emphasized during the meeting that UMPD was on the side of students, but communications on the matter would need to be coordinated across the administration. Therefore, the participating students decided to march to Alumni Hall to address administrators directly from outside. 

“Dean Gifford reached out to Talia and I saying that Chief Flagg was available to meet with us, and we spoke with him on Wednesday. Until this point, there had been no indication that this was possible or likely,” said Cunningham. “Their hand was forced by the announcement of this action.”

On January 29, an email from Interim Dean of Students Andrea Gifford with the subject line “Update on Administrative Executive Orders, wrote “Much remains to be learned about how the recent federal directives on immigration enforcement, university programs and services, and research funding will affect our universities, and our students, faculty and staff. We will continue to assess and update the community as more details are known.” 

Cunningham emphasized that although there have been new developments throughout the last few months, no further updates were shared with the community by administrators. 

For example, the Department of Homeland Security cancelled roughly 3,000 student visas based on algorithmic searches and deported U.S. citizens along with their parents who are immigrants without a trial or proper procedures, according to Cunningham. AP News reported that “the government said it would issue new guidelines for canceling a student’s legal status.” On April 30, the House Republicans blocked a bill ensuring ICE will not deport American citizens.

“Despite all of these high profile, widely reported and frankly, terrifying attacks on civil rights in our nation, we have heard nothing from our system administrators…They don’t want to attract attention, or say anything that might even hint at being displeased with the current state of affairs,” said Cunningham. 

On April 22, Bates, Colby and Bowdoin Colleges, along with the University of New England, joined 230 university leaders across the country in signing a letter to Trump Administration titled “A Call for Constructive Engagement.” In this statement, the institutions unified in opposition to the “unprecedented governmental overreach” and “political interference” nationally impacting higher education.   

“When UMaine was contacted about this, our spokesperson, Samantha Warren, said ‘No comment.’ Do we really have no comment? It’s ridiculous. As we speak, the the Big Ten universities are working on a mutual defense pact to ensure that any university in the pact targeted by the Trump Administration will have legal and financial support from all of their peer institutions,” said Cunningham. 

After Cunningham addressed the crowd, they led some chants, including, “UMS must not comply! Do not let our freedoms die,” and “What’s our motto? Dirigo! Does that mean silence? No!”

The group first walked through the Memorial Union and then the first floor of Fogler Library, silently displaying their signs. Once arriving outside of Alumni Hall, the chants continued, specifically directed toward President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and Chancellor Daniel Malloy. 

Back at MLK Plaza, Ella Frick spoke to the crowd about a situation where UMPD filed an information report relating to a safety incident. She expressed feeling validated by the organization in that moment, while also insisting that UMPD must clarify its stance on ICE cooperation. 

“My case should not be an isolated incident. This is how the UMPD is obligated to treat each student. I know the international students at UMO… have been facing a terror ten times the size of mine,” said Frick. “The threat of abduction and disappearance by ICE has haunted many immigrants across America.”

A flyer for the event distributed across campus and shared via Instagram by JVP and SDS alleges that UMPD was said by UMaine administrators to have a “great working relationship” with the Bangor ICE Office. Cunningham clarified that the quote comes from Gifford, and was corroborated by Chief Flagg at the meeting on April 30.

According to Gifford, the phrase “working relationship” was misinterpreted. She also noted that the UMaine System is unable to create policies that directly oppose federal regulations. 

“While the UMaine Police Department maintains professional relationships with various other law enforcement agencies, it does not have active partnership agreements related to immigration enforcement and it’s priority is to promote a safe environment for every student, faculty and staff,” said Gifford. 

Cunningham clarified that students and faculty need resources that outline a course of action in the event that ICE enters campus, specifically “who to call, what to do and what to say if contacted by an ICE agent.” While the Jan. 29 email mentioned that residence halls and research labs have restricted access to the public, there is still confusion as to exactly where ICE theoretically may and may not be permitted. 

“We need the UMS administration to be prepared to notify the campus of the presence of ICE agents via the campus-wide alert system, and we need strong clarification on what spaces on campus are considered non-public,” said Cunningham.

A rally for sanctuary campus status at the University of Maine was hosted by Students for a Democratic Society (UMO-SDS) in partnership with Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and Triota Epsilon Psi on April 12 in front of Fogler Library. Despite the rainy weekend, dozens of students showed up with handmade signs demanding protections for international students from deportation at an administrative level. 

To create a sanctuary campus status at UMaine, the university would need to enact policies that limit Immigrations Customs Enforcement (ICE) access to campus and student information. It would also include a commitment to “non-cooperation” if asked to aid in a search for undocumented students.

SDS Member Gabriel Veilleux led the demonstration with chants before his speech. Some of these rally cries included “Say it once, say it twice: We will not put up with ICE,” “Money for housing and education, not for war and deportation” and “Black Bears, hear us shout: Sanctuary status now.” 

Veilleux described current threats of deportation, arrests and detainment that have the potential to reach UMaine. He, like the other participants, believes that university administration must pass a resolution codifying sanctuary status measures to protect immigrants and international students. Veilleux stands firm that the “attack on one is an attack on all” mentality applies to this situation, insisting that UMaine would fail its entire community by remaining neutral. 

“We stand here to send a message that the students of UMaine will never yield to the threats and pressure imposed upon us, that we will be steadfast in our resistance to the Trump Administration and that we will do all we can to defend our community from ICE invasions and kidnappings,” said Veilleux. 

Triota Member Franny Wilson-Charuk addressed the crowd as a proxy for Cheyanne Goroshin, who was absent. Goroshin expressed that UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy cannot uphold her priority to “promote student success” without protecting vulnerable populations on campus. She also emphasized that international students should not be expected to fight for their rights alone. Their ability to succeed may also impact that of their domestic peers and the functioning of UMaine as a whole. 

“How do we ensure the success of students when their peers continue to be picked off the streets and detained? How do we ensure student success when admins can’t guarantee that students will be protected from ICE in all buildings on this campus, and when there is no protocol for protecting students who live off campus?,” said Wilson-Charuk. 

Wilson-Charuk went on to list multiple ways in which UMaine can take meaningful action. The first is to increase transparency by publishing a list of every building that is restricted or unrestricted from ICE with an explanation as to why. Secondly, to initiate statements from UMPS that agree to prioritize student safety, even from federal agents. The final and primary action is to establish sanctuary status at UMaine. 

SDS Member Morgan Ramsay described two situations where international students were targeted as a result of peaceful activism. 

On March 8, Columbia University Graduate Student Mahmoud Khalil was arrested at his apartment by ICE, despite being a permanent resident with a green card. Khalil helped lead protests against Israel. Awaiting trial, Khalil wrote a letter about the circumstances. 

At Tufts University, Turkish Doctoral Student Rumeysa Ozturk was detained by masked ICE officers dressed in plain clothes on her way to meet friends for dinner on March 25. Ozturk co-authored an op-ed article showing support for Palestinians in Gaza. She had an F1visa and no criminal allegations, but was accused of Hamas alignment according to Ramsay. 

“So far, over 600 international students and recent grads across the US have had their visas revoked by the Trump Administration. Many of these visa cancellations are in response to participation in student-led activism…,” said Ramsay. “The Trump Administration is making our constitutional rights increasingly conditional, especially for those who do not hold citizenship status.”

JVP president Talia Cullum mentioned Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Yom HaShoah next month in connection to the current political climate. Yom HaShoah means “Day of the Catastrophe” in Hebrew. According to Cullum, the phrase “never again,” which most frequently refers to the Holocaust, can be applied to issues that are happening now. 

“Never again is now. Never again is here. We don’t want a new gestapo force coming and picking up our students on our campus,” said Cullum.

Cullum also read “First They Came,” a poem written in 1946 by Pastor Martin Niemöller that is meant to inspire mutual advocacy. 

SDS Member Ryan Kennedy shared that one third of immigrants in America are pursuing higher education. He went on to express frustration for federal actions but also for university inaction. Kennedy specifically referenced the Office of Diversity and Inclusion changing its name to the Office for Community and Connections to remove DEI per the executive order.

“This may be just a name change to some, but what it indicates is fear in the university. When the university is scared, they will turn their back on their students,” said Kennedy. “President Ferrini-Mundy has not made any statements about protections for students, and that is honestly shameful.”

Katelyn Spearrin concluded the speeches by reiterating the rally demands. She insisted that sanctuary status measures must be done prior to harassment from ICE to adequately prepare. Spearrin also thanks participants for their involvement in the cause. 

“Everyone who showed up today in support of our international students and staff for the protection of our several vulnerable populations by keeping ICE away from our campus, gaining sanctuary status and advocating for justice, are on the right side of history today,” said Spearrin.

Minecraft has been around since 2011, but spawned new interest when a film adaptation of the game was released. As an avid player in grade school, I was eager to see how Jared Hess would portray humans in a world of colorful blocks with a budget of $150 million. Others were interested in the film for a different reason. Clips of actor Jack Black, who plays the leading role of Steve, surfaced across the internet, particularly on Instagram reels. Some of his lines became sensationalized, with many students going to Black Bear Cinemas just to see the memes come to life before their eyes. 

When I say many students, I mean hundreds of them. I showed up 30 minutes early for the 6:15 p.m. showing, only to find it sold out. Behind me, a line of people out the door nearly reached the laundromat. I made the cut for a 3D showing at 6:45 p.m., which I personally disliked but I promise it won’t hinder my review. Students in the hall lined up in mass amounts to get into the specific theater. I watched the rowdy crowd stampede inside together, as if they were at a marathon starting line. 

In terms of the film itself, I was blown away by the visual quality. The animation was the best balance between realism, and accuracy to the cartoon-based game. The sizing was perfect, with the sheep, wolves, trees and houses being as large as they would be in real life. The villagers were flawless and made the proper “heh” sound, with the audio coming directly from Mojang. Now, if half of this effort was also put into the script and plot, the movie would have been truly special. 

Black is a dynamic actor, good for a light-hearted adventure comedy like this one. However, he is simply too old for the role in my opinion. Steve is a skin in this game played most commonly by children. Steve is probably meant to be an adult, but not middle aged. With the $150 million put into this movie, they couldn’t buy a bottle of brown hair dye to color in Black’s graying beard? 

We begin the film with a narration from Steve himself, and how he yearned to mine as a child but was turned away. Upon returning as an adult, he found a glowing blue cube underground that transported him to the Minecraft realm. The movie goes on to follow the story of Natalie, a young woman and her brother, Henry, who move to Chuglass, Idaho for a fresh start. It is alluded to that their mother passed away recently but there is no indication of how. As the film goes on, they stop bringing her up altogether.

Henry, a creative prodigy, is ridiculed in the real world for thinking outside of the box. He meets Garett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, played by Jason Momoa, a washed up professional gamer who serves as the boy’s flawed mentor. The three protagonists were joined by a random realtor lady who happened to be there for the entire adventure. Jennifer Coolidge had a cameo in the movie as a newly-divorced vice principal that ends up romantically involved with a villager.

The lead protagonists are accidentally transported to the Minecraft realm after Garett finds the cube in a storage unit. Not only are they unable to get home, but an army of piglin creatures are holding another part of the cube that they need, located in the dark depths of a realm known as the Nether. The piglins are ruled by the villainous Malgosha, who we find out was humiliated at a young age for wanting to become a dancer. 

Not to spoil the ending, but Natalie, Henry, Garett and Steve ultimately defeat the piglins in battle. I was fully expecting a callback to Malgosha’s backstory of wanting to dance. I figured she would have a change of heart and start twirling around or whatever. They just leave her to rot and go home. 

Ultimately, I was impressed by the setting and animation. The endermen were my favorite. Everything seemed accurate to the game itself, with very little left out. However, the movie catered too much to an audience that wanted to enjoy it ironically. Casting Black as Steve and giving him the most clippable lines had to have been a strategic move to draw social media attention. 

I can’t help but imagine how much better “A Minecraft Movie” would have been if the creators leaned more into telling an interesting story than making people laugh. I love a comedy, but Minecraft is a unique concept that would do better with a more genuine hero plotline. Serious effort was put into building the world and bringing it to life. I have a strong feeling that someone wrote a bunch of stupid dialogue for Jack Black and then later built a plot around it. Maybe they spent a year making the movie only to realize hours before the release date that it needs a sequence of events. 

Final Rating: 5/10 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) paused all funding to the University of Maine System (UMS) until further notice, as described in a UMS-wide announcement on March 11. The USDA Office of the Chief Financial Officer, the presumed source of this information, explained in an email that there are currently evaluations to determine if the USDA should take follow-up actions based on potential Title IX or Title VI violations by UMaine. 

While a Title IX investigation was initiated by the USDA on Feb. 22, no evidence was found proving a lack of compliance to state and federal guidelines surrounding the participation of transgender athletes in competitive sports. Title IX is defined by the U.S. Department of Education as protection from discrimination on the basis of sex. Title VI protections, as described by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, enforces that no person shall be subject to discrimination because of race, color, or national origin.

According to the UMS update, the USDA did not contact UMS after receiving timely responses to questioning on Feb. 25 (verbal communication) and 26 (written communication), until the news of the indefinite funding pause was broken in an email on March 10, which became public on March 11. For reference, the USDA awarded $29.78 million to UMaine for research and extension in Fiscal Year 2024. 

Below is a list, provided by UMS, of the previously-funded programs that may be impacted or temporarily discontinued:

• “Research to understand and mitigate the impact of PFAS contamination on Maine farms, and return land to productive and profitable use. 
• Innovation to develop sustainable packaging materials derived from Maine forest-based materials. 
• Potato breeding and varietal development, like that which created the Caribou Russet, now the top seed potato variety planted in the state and responsible for Maine being one of only three states in the nation where potato production increased in the last two decades.
• Partnered research with state agencies to ensure the health and sustainability of Maine’s lobster fishery. 
• Research and industry training to farmers to reduce and manage pests and improve harvest yields for important Maine crops, including potatoes, wild blueberries and apples.
• Selective breeding, including of salmon and shellfish, to increase the sustainable production and value of Maine’s aquaculture industry. 
• Development and demonstration of building materials derived from Maine’s forests, including cross-laminated timber.
• Support for 4-H youth leadership and STEM skill development programs serving tens of thousands of Maine youth annually.
• Education and outreach to Maine livestock farmers on farm biosecurity and disease outbreak preparedness.
• Development of bio-gel derived from Maine wood waste as a PFAS-free alternative to traditional firefighting foam.
• Technical assistance for Maine farms with succession planning and mediation to strengthen and grow the state’s natural resource economy and dependent jobs and opportunities.”

This story will be updated as more information arises.

As of 10 p.m. on March 12, USDA funding is expected to return, according to a new announcement by UMS. Senator Susan Collins consulted with the Trump Administration. She confirmed in a news release that the $63 million in active USDA awards (and $35 million remaining to be paid out) will be restored, thus reversing the March 10 decision to pause USDA funding.

In consideration of the recent executive order by the Trump Administration to terminate all Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs funded by the federal government, the University of Maine officially renamed the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) to the Office of Community Connections (OCC). The potential for further action is unclear. 

UMaine Title IX was the first in the nation to undergo investigation by the Department of Agriculture, which provides the majority of UMaine System (UMS) federal funding. The investigation was launched after Governor Janet Mills’ remarks at the White House on Feb. 21, which were interpreted by the Trump Administration as a refusal by Maine to remove transgender athletes from competitive sports across the state. With a large portion of the previously-guaranteed University budget at risk, ODI experienced a prompt modification. 

ODI provides open spaces to cultivate active learning, with programming that often serves as an opportunity to learn about political and social issues surrounding DEI. Furthermore, it provides information to access other resources such as Needlepoint Sanctuary, Rape Response Services, Mabel Wadsworth and Partners for Peace. Previously, ODI was permitted to offer items such as period products, contraceptives, pregnancy tests, and Plan B donated by Mabel Wadsworth. Going forward, pregnancy tests and Plan B will only be available at the Student Wellness Resource Center, although this change is allegedly unrelated to the executive DEI order. In regard to ODI programming, many students are first introduced to the organization by attending events that fall under a topic of interest. 

On March 5, one week after ODI employees were made aware of the new development, Student Life issued a public announcement via email. The first sentence was worded as follows: “The Division of Student Life is pleased to announce the launch of the Office of Community and Connections (OCC), a new initiative designed to broaden and integrate essential resources for members of the UMaine and UMaine Machias communities.” 

While the tone of the message could be perceived as entirely positive, some students affiliated with ODI were not in favor of the new initiative.

The change is centered mainly around the language surrounding the organization and its offices, the Multicultural Student Center (MSC), the Rainbow Resource Center (RRC) and the Intersectional Feminist Resource Center (IFRC). These three centers, and ODI as a whole, were originally dedicated to “supporting University of Maine students from historically underrepresented identities, including but not limited to sexuality, race, gender identity, spirituality, ethnicity, ability, religion, nationality, socio-economic status, and others,” according to its website on March 1. 

Previously, ODI held closed-space events for students who fall under specific demographics, such as Women of Color Wednesday and LGBTQ Game Night. The purpose was for students who identify similarly to engage with one another in an affirming space. While the majority of programming is open to all interested students, events that invite a specific group are no longer allowed to be run or advertised by ODI, as they could be considered exclusionary. 

Mak Thompson, a former Student Lead at ODI, studies Political Science and Women & Gender Studies (WGS). They are also the President of TRIOTA, the national WGS Honors Society.

“I think having those closed spaces provides an opportunity for students of a similar identity to talk about things that only they have experiences in,” said Thompson. “When you offer those spaces to everybody, there is vulnerability that doesn’t need to be there.”

Student Leader at ODI Casper Cowan is a student of psychology and Women, Gender & Sexuality (WGS) studies with a minor in disability studies. He is passionate about activism and advocacy work. Cowan serves as a student government senator and an officer at TRIOTA. He described his position at ODI as a “unique opportunity in not only mentoring other students but learning from other students.”

Cowan explained that DEI language starts with the literal words of its acronym but could even go beyond them. One example of such may be “belonging,” as it has been associated with DEI efforts. For instance, the Town of Orono organized a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee. 

According to Thompson, those who attended an informational meeting on Feb. 26 with UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy about the executive order were told that the ODI mission statement is compliant, and that the wording of its goals does not need to change. They predict, however, the regulations will eventually extend beyond the words “diversity, equity and inclusion” themselves. 

Since the meeting, the ODI website experienced a shift in language. The phrasing about underrepresented identities was removed concurrently with its name change to OCC. Its statement about dedication was rewritten as “ fostering a supportive and engaging environment where students can thrive. By integrating student support, education, and community-building, the office creates meaningful opportunities for collaboration and personal growth.”

Cowan feels that the name change and alterations to other public language misrepresent the true purpose of ODI. 

“This department is about those big three words that the current [presidential] administration finds to be so scary: diversity, equity and inclusion. Scrubbing those out of our title, I don’t think will change the core of what we do, but it cheapens the value of what we do because we’re hiding behind a name that is just buzzwords, in my opinion,” said Cowan. 

Kalina Chazin-Knox is a student of Psychology and Women, Gender & Sexuality studies at UMaine, who formerly served as a Student Lead at ODI. She is also Vice President of TRIOTA. Chazin-Knox shared a similar sentiment to Cowan, describing the new name as “generic and meaningless.” She expressed concern over some of the preemptive action taken at UMaine. 

“They’re doing this out of an abundance of caution. I understand it logically, but I don’t think it’s actually going to stop the [Trump] Administration from targeting our school or our state. I think that it’s more dangerous to be complying in advance like this…,” said Chazin-Knox. “We’re setting an example for all the other public universities in the country, and I don’t think this is a good way to do it.”

Interim Dean of Students Andrea Gifford elaborated on the OCC announcement at a student reception following the State of the University address by Ferrini-Mundy on March 6. She explained that while the timing of the name change was accelerated as a result of federal warnings, reenvisioning ODI had been discussed for several months ahead of Trump’s nomination. Gifford ensured that while the email from Student Life may not have properly clarified that the general efforts will continue, Administration intends to expand such efforts by implementing mentoring programs and bringing academic support staff into OCC to reach a much broader audience. 

“The three lounge areas that we have that are student lounges in the Union, their names have not changed, their purpose has not changed. The office, and the staff and the students that are dedicated to working there, their day-to-day work has not changed,” said Gifford. “My words to people are ‘Try not focusing so much on the words, and focus on the work.’ That is not changing.”

Concern for the tangible attributes of each office remains prevalent. According to Cowan, OCC is not expected to undergo physical changes as of now, but there may be a day where staff is instructed to remove posters, signage or flags. Chazin-Knox mentioned that the removal of pride flags would have a negative impact, as some queer students currently feel targeted by the new presidential administration. Pride flags symbolize an affirming space to those who identify as LGBTQIA+. As explained by Chazin-Knox, “When you see a physical sign, flag, that you’re welcome, it means more than you can imagine for a lot of people.”

Thompson recalled a memory from last semester when a campus tour group visited the Memorial Union. The mother of a prospective student took notice of the RRC while Thomspon and other students were watching a movie in the office. 

“She [the mother] walked by and saw all the pride flags. She dragged her kid in there and was like ‘You belong in here, and you will have a space here on campus. I feel much better sending you off to college knowing that this space exists’,” said Thompson. 

Cowan emphasized that while students in particular may be feeling confused and unsure about the future of UMaine, the administration is also unsure of whether or not more impacting regulations will be enacted. He added that it is important to keep in mind that this is new territory for everyone when discussing the state of individual organizations or the UMS as a whole. 

“Universities across the country were all trying to figure out how to react to the Feb. 14 ‘Dear Colleague’ letter from the U.S. Department of Education, which was a pretty directive letter with threats of consequences and a two-week deadline… Part of the issue is doing two things at the same time: Staying very focused on what we provide for our students, on how we are available to support our students in the ways that we have been without changing that, and maybe expanding that, which is what I am understanding the new naming [OCC] to convey – But at the same time, really looking at risk in an uncertain moment,” said Ferrini-Mundy at the March 6 student reception. 

Cowan believes that while the UMaine Administration actively prioritizes the student experience in decision making, he hopes for added transparency from administration throughout the remainder of the process. 

“The [UMaine] President really highlighted that she would still be fighting for us and our campus, but all of it would be happening behind the scenes, which worries me as a student,” said Cowan. “If she’s fighting a fight that’s worth fighting, it should be in front of our eyes, and we should be able to see the impacts of it.”

In consideration of the recent executive order by the Trump Administration to terminate all Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs funded by the federal government, the University of Maine officially renamed the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) to the Office for Community and Connections (OCC). The potential for further action is unclear. 

UMaine Title IX was the first in the nation to undergo investigation by the Department of Agriculture, which provides the majority of UMaine System (UMS) federal funding. The investigation was launched after Governor Janet Mills’ remarks at the White House on Feb. 21, which were interpreted by the Trump Administration as a refusal by Maine to remove transgender athletes from competitive sports across the state. With a large portion of the previously-guaranteed University budget at risk, ODI experienced a prompt modification. 

ODI provides open spaces to cultivate active learning, with programming that often serves as an opportunity to learn about political and social issues surrounding DEI. Furthermore, it provides information to access other resources such as Needlepoint Sanctuary, Rape Response Services, Mabel Wadsworth and Partners for Peace. Previously, ODI was permitted to offer items such as period products, contraceptives, pregnancy tests, and Plan B donated by Mabel Wadsworth. Going forward, pregnancy tests and Plan B will only be available at the Student Wellness Resource Center, although this change is allegedly unrelated to the executive DEI order. In regard to ODI programming, many students are first introduced to the organization by attending events that fall under a topic of interest. 

On March 5, one week after ODI employees were made aware of the new development, Student Life issued a public announcement via email. The first sentence was worded as follows: “The Division of Student Life is pleased to announce the launch of the Office of Community and Connections (OCC), a new initiative designed to broaden and integrate essential resources for members of the UMaine and UMaine Machias communities.” 

While the tone of the message could be perceived as entirely positive, some students affiliated with ODI were not in favor of the new initiative.

The change is centered mainly around the language surrounding the organization and its offices, the Multicultural Student Center (MSC), the Rainbow Resource Center (RRC) and the Intersectional Feminist Resource Center (IFRC). These three centers, and ODI as a whole, were originally dedicated to “supporting University of Maine students from historically underrepresented identities, including but not limited to sexuality, race, gender identity, spirituality, ethnicity, ability, religion, nationality, socio-economic status, and others,” according to its website on March 1. 

Previously, ODI held closed-space events for students who fall under specific demographics, such as Women of Color Wednesday and LGBTQ Game Night. The purpose was for students who identify similarly to engage with one another in an affirming space. While the majority of programming is open to all interested students, events that invite a specific group are no longer allowed to be run or advertised by ODI, as they could be considered exclusionary. 

Mak Thompson, a former Student Lead at ODI, studies Political Science and Women & Gender Studies (WGS). They are also the President of TRIOTA, the national WGS Honors Society.

“I think having those closed spaces provides an opportunity for students of a similar identity to talk about things that only they have experiences in,” said Thompson. “When you offer those spaces to everybody, there is vulnerability that doesn’t need to be there.”

Student Leader at ODI Casper Cowan is a student of psychology and Women, Gender & Sexuality (WGS) studies with a minor in disability studies. He is passionate about activism and advocacy work. Cowan serves as a student government senator and an officer at TRIOTA. He described his position at ODI as a “unique opportunity in not only mentoring other students but learning from other students.”

Cowan explained that DEI language starts with the literal words of its acronym but could even go beyond them. One example of such may be “belonging,” as it has been associated with DEI efforts. For instance, the Town of Orono organized a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee. 

According to Thompson, those who attended an informational meeting on Feb. 26 with UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy about the executive order were told that the ODI mission statement is compliant, and that the wording of its goals does not need to change. They predict, however, the regulations will eventually extend beyond the words “diversity, equity and inclusion” themselves. 

Since the meeting, the ODI website experienced a shift in language. The phrasing about underrepresented identities was removed concurrently with its name change to OCC. Its statement about dedication was rewritten as “fostering a supportive and engaging environment where students can thrive. By integrating student support, education, and community-building, the office creates meaningful opportunities for collaboration and personal growth.”

Cowan feels that the name change and alterations to other public language misrepresent the true purpose of ODI. 

“This department is about those big three words that the current [presidential] administration finds to be so scary: diversity, equity and inclusion. Scrubbing those out of our title, I don’t think will change the core of what we do, but it cheapens the value of what we do because we’re hiding behind a name that is just buzzwords, in my opinion,” said Cowan. 

Kalina Chazin-Knox is a student of Psychology and Women, Gender & Sexuality studies at UMaine, who formerly served as a Student Lead at ODI. She is also Vice President of TRIOTA. Chazin-Knox shared a similar sentiment to Cowan, describing the new name as “generic and meaningless.” She expressed concern over some of the preemptive action taken at UMaine. 

“They’re doing this out of an abundance of caution. I understand it logically, but I don’t think it’s actually going to stop the [Trump] Administration from targeting our school or our state. I think that it’s more dangerous to be complying in advance like this…,” said Chazin-Knox. “We’re setting an example for all the other public universities in the country, and I don’t think this is a good way to do it.”

Interim Dean of Students Andrea Gifford elaborated on the OCC announcement at a student reception following the State of the University address by Ferrini-Mundy on March 6. She explained that while the timing of the name change was accelerated as a result of federal warnings, reenvisioning ODI had been discussed for several months ahead of Trump’s nomination. Gifford ensured that while the email from Student Life may not have properly clarified that the general efforts will continue, administration intends to expand such efforts by implementing mentoring programs and bringing academic support staff into OCC to reach a much broader audience. 

“The three lounge areas that we have that are student lounges in the Union, their names have not changed, their purpose has not changed. The office, and the staff and the students that are dedicated to working there, their day-to-day work has not changed,” said Gifford. “My words to people are ‘Try not focusing so much on the words, and focus on the work.’ That is not changing.”

Concern for the tangible attributes of each office remains prevalent. According to Cowan, OCC is not expected to undergo physical changes as of now, but there may be a day where staff is instructed to remove posters, signage or flags. Chazin-Knox mentioned that the removal of pride flags would have a negative impact, as some queer students currently feel targeted by the new presidential administration. Pride flags symbolize an affirming space to those who identify as LGBTQIA+. As explained by Chazin-Knox, “When you see a physical sign, flag, that you’re welcome, it means more than you can imagine for a lot of people.”

Thompson recalled a memory from last semester when a campus tour group visited the Memorial Union. The mother of a prospective student took notice of the RRC while Thomspon and other students were watching a movie in the office. 

“She [the mother] walked by and saw all the pride flags. She dragged her kid in there and was like ‘You belong in here, and you will have a space here on campus. I feel much better sending you off to college knowing that this space exists’,” said Thompson. 

Cowan emphasized that while students in particular may be feeling confused and unsure about the future of UMaine, the administration is also unsure of whether or not more impacting regulations will be enacted. He added that it is important to keep in mind that this is new territory for everyone when discussing the state of individual organizations or the UMS as a whole. 

“Universities across the country were all trying to figure out how to react to the Feb. 14 ‘Dear Colleague’ letter from the U.S. Department of Education, which was a pretty directive letter with threats of consequences and a two-week deadline… Part of the issue is doing two things at the same time: Staying very focused on what we provide for our students, on how we are available to support our students in the ways that we have been without changing that, and maybe expanding that, which is what I am understanding the new naming [OCC] to convey – But at the same time, really looking at risk in an uncertain moment,” said Ferrini-Mundy at the March 6 student reception. 

Cowan believes that while the UMaine Administration actively prioritizes the student experience in decision making, he hopes for added transparency from administrators throughout the remainder of the process. 

“The [UMaine] President really highlighted that she would still be fighting for us and our campus, but all of it would be happening behind the scenes, which worries me as a student,” said Cowan. “If she’s fighting a fight that’s worth fighting, it should be in front of our eyes, and we should be able to see the impacts of it.”

The Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund (BBMAF) is a non-profit organization led by students, faculty and staff at the University of Maine that raises community donations and disperses funds to UMaine community members in need. The application process for recipients opens once a goal total is reached. This spring, the desired amount is $5,000. Core organizing members met with the Maine Campus to explain how to apply and donate as well as other ways to get involved. 

There are multiple ways to donate to the BBMAF, such as with cash or a check and through Give Butter. The Give Butter platform is most preferred, as it helps volunteers keep track of the total consistently. The fundraising goal and remaining amount needed is also included on the home page. Because the donations never close, BBMAF accepts funds throughout the entire year, typically dispersing them once per semester.

In terms of the $5,000 goal this year, exceeding that amount would mean that BBMAF officially redistributed $20,000 to UMaine community members experiencing financial difficulties throughout the past two years. 

Mikayla Reynolds is an MBA student at UMaine with concentrations in sustainability and public and nonprofit management. She has been involved in building the foundation of BBMAF since 2022. According to Reynolds, the needs of the community naturally exceed the total donations received. BBMAF is constantly looking for ways to close this gap.

“We know that the need is way greater than the funds that we can release in our current organizing situation and in the, essentially, youth of the organization,” said Reynolds. “We get to a threshold, then we advertise and promote that we will be opening our request form for people in need to request through.”

It is important to note that a donation of any size is sincerely appreciated. Concern for offering too little money is not necessary, as every dollar gets the fund closer to reaching its goal. While engagement from students is increasing through events and fundraising, BBMAF is hoping to reach more UMaine faculty and staff. 

Nicole Cloud is an advisor in TRIO student support services at UMaine. She explained that there were two redistribution cycles during the last academic year. Both goal totals were $7,000. Meaning, $14,850 was given back to the UMaine community by the end of the academic year. 

UMaine community members requesting funds may do so through a simple process that was created to ensure fairness and dignity. It is entirely optional to include what the specific funds would go toward. Considering those who did feel comfortable providing details in the past, BBMAF has a general understanding of what the majority of individuals are requesting aid for. The primary need for undergraduate students was academic costs, such as tuition and books. Housing and utilities costs were secondary for this population. For graduate students, housing and utilities costs were the main motive behind requests. Food and academic costs followed after. 

Cloud mentioned that some recipients were comfortable having their story shared via social media, to publicize how these donations alleviated personal difficulties. Offering such information, while not expected by any means, allows potential donors to understand the impact of contributing. It may also influence others who are struggling with similar financial burdens to seek aid. 

The organizers at BBMAF are typically able to identify the maximum amount that can be distributed to each person. With each redistribution cycle, the organizers carefully review the funding request process and make adjustments in alignment with their ethos of community care by centering the experience of community members engaging in the request process. Upon receiving feedback, they decided that $300 was a helpful maximum amount for the average individual, though the previous limit was $350. The amount granted is in response to each person’s specific needs. For example, if someone has to pay a $200 bill, they are encouraged to request that amount, and will be funded accordingly. For people whose needs exceed the maximum, they would be granted the greatest possible total, which is subject to change with each cycle. Even if that money cannot fully relieve every applicant of their payments, it certainly helps decrease the amount they would need to seek out elsewhere. 

According to Reynolds, decreasing the maximum amount helped reach additional people.

“One thing we’re always reckoning with, is how do we balance helping the most amount of people but also having an impact for an individual that can be realized, versus them always being in a cycle of emergency need” said Reynolds.

The requests are analyzed and approved by a subcommittee of BBMAF, the funding requests review committee. One person anonymizes the requests that come in, so that they only showcase levels of need. The current mutual aid fund account balance is taken into consideration, as is the number of requests submitted for that period. 

“We are very committed to not making people prove their poverty. Even in the request process, them elaborating on the nature of their need is optional. We will take them at their integrity…,” said Cloud. “We are in community with you, so if we have the funds, we will offer support in response to that need.”

The specific area of need for each person is not taken into account when allocating funds. The committee only uses numerical data to decide how to reach the most people, and make a meaningful impact for all of them. BBMAF avoids comparing specific needs against others to remove any bias. It would be difficult to prioritize some requests over others when the full scope of every need is not available.  

“Someone may be requesting for one particular reason because they already receive support in another area. So, to prioritize something like food over something else is not a decision we want to make because that person might also be food insecure, but they have a different benefit they are receiving for that,” said Reynolds.

Reynolds also shared that the BBMAF holds meetings every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in … The current recurring team is mostly made up of fourth-year undergraduate students who will be leaving UMaine in the spring. The team is looking for more recurring members to carry on the legacy. Those with minimal availability who are still interested in contributing always have the option to participate in specific and smaller projects when possible. 

Catherine Segada is a graduate student pursuing her Master’s degree in anthropology and environmental policy. She began volunteering with BBMAF last fall.

“We have levels of engagement: reposting, following our Instagram, [and] just telling someone ‘Hey, have you heard of Black Bear Mutual Aid Fund?’ If you know someone who is in financial distress or needs community, letting them know that we exist is more than enough to be part of our organization,” said Segada. 

The overarching mission of BBMAF is to create a community of caring, and to establish within the UMaine community that support and solidarity is available, including monetary resources via the mutual aid fund. People who are interested in participating in such efforts could reach out via email (blackbearmutualaid@gmail.com) or Instagram to be added to a Slack messaging page with other volunteers. The organizers are also able through these forums to answer questions about any part of the process.

Informational flyers are available throughout campus in residence halls, academic buildings, the Memorial Union and Fogler Library. An Interest Form is also available through the website. BBMAF is interested in partnering with other organizations, including local businesses.

Joan Ferrini-Mundy, the 21st president of the University of Maine and vice chancellor for Research and Innovation, delivered her annual State of the University Address on March 7 at Minsky Recital Hall. In the speech, Ferrini-Mundy described recent UMaine accomplishments, governmental impacts and future improvements that are underway. 

Ferrini-Mundy announced that UMaine was reaffirmed by the American Counsel in Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in its standing as an R1 top-tier research university this spring, and expressed enthusiasm for the historical $320 million grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation. She acknowledged specific groups with representatives present, such as the UMaine Graduate Workers Union (UMGWU), the Undergraduate Student Government, the Graduate Student Government and the Faculty Senate.  

Ferrini-Mundy also spoke of the current sense of uncertainty and stress during a time of global unrest, shifting political landscapes, debates about individual rights, and economic standings.  While students and faculty wonder about the future of UMaine under the current presidential administration, Ferrini-Mundy expressed that UMS leaders are actively seeking clarity as well. 

Ferrini-Mundy emphasized that UMaine stands firm in its values, with a “commitment to freedom of speech, and academic and personal freedoms, to opportunity, inclusion and nondiscrimination in all that we do, and to respecting and supporting our community regardless of their background.” She insisted that navigating governmental changes requires thoughtfulness, dialogue and action to respond strategically and comply with law. 

Ferrini-Mundy also offered historical context about the founding of UMaine in 1865. The institution was established as part of a larger national movement to democratize academia, making higher education accessible to everyone, as opposed to only the elite. The continued mission is to create new opportunities that “serve people of Maine and beyond by providing opportunity, education and economic mobility to those who sought it,” she explained.

“The framing of past, present and future is particularly relevant to this moment in UMaine history. Revisiting the past gives us perspective, and also [helps us] to realize that this university has had significant challenges over its 160 years. We’ve worked through them, our predecessors have worked through them. Examining and assessing the present…What we do now shapes what is yet to come,” said Ferrini-Mundy. 

A total of 152 RLE course sections were offered for nearly 2000 participating students. She shared that the fall-to-fall retention rate going into 2023 was 77%. In Fall 2023 to Spring 2024, 81 faculty and staff-members were directly involved in supporting 742 first-year students. The retention rate then increased to 83.4%.

Student success teams were also established to provide guidance. There are currently early alert systems for instructors to identify students who may be struggling in a particular course. Other administrative measures to address the wider student experience include meaningful investments in health and wellness, the expansion of Student Life, a Residence Life curriculum and an increase in first-year engagement with Career Center. 

A First Destination survey offered to graduates within six months of leaving UMaine assessed career efforts. Of the alumnus who filled it out following the 2023-24 academic year, 94% are either employed, pursuing further education or volunteering. Of those employed, 74% are working in fields such as engineering, healthcare and education. 24% of students continued in areas related to majors. About 80% of students from Maine remained in state for employment and 27% of students from out of state also stayed.

A total of 14 groups were established to lead planning efforts involving the Strategic Re-Envisioning (SRE) of UMaine. Academic portfolio review and research portfolio review groups are identifying areas for more effective collaboration between colleges and research centers.

“The goal of SRE is not just to improve what already exists. It is to fundamentally rethink how we deliver education, how we support students, all students, how we conduct research on what our areas of strength can be, how we derive the greatest value from the University’s diverse brainpower and resources and how we serve the state of Maine and beyond,” said Ferrini-Mundy.

In terms of the physical conditions of the Orono campus, there is $1 billion in deferred infrastructure maintenance. Over 60% of academic and research buildings, and 79% of residential buildings are more than 50 years old. E&G funds and project-specific donor funds are being used to improve these facilities across campus. 

Ferrini-Mundy referred to the $170 million grant to Athletics from the Harold Alfond Foundation and other donors to renovate the Alfond Arena as a “transformative investment.” Other facility improvements include the New Balance Track and Field and Soccer Complex and the Morse Arena. She also commended the cumulative GPA of UMaine athletes, which is currently above 3.0.

Ferrini Mundy described these plans, along with the renovation of Boardman Hall and Whittier Farms’ incoming robotic milking facility as the “largest period of new construction in our history.”

The opening of Hotel Ursa in 2024 marked the official restoration of Colburn and Holmes Halls. Furthermore, campus construction of the GEM 50,000 square-foot facility began last year, which exemplifies UMaine’s commitment to being learner-centered R1 university. Ferrini-Mundy thanked the financial support of UMS and UMaine Foundation donors, governor of state legislature, tax payers, congressional delegation and other federal policy makers, faculty members, staff and campus leaders.

Ferrini-Mundy also highlighted that new degree programs were recently introduced for Fall 2025, such as a BS in criminal justice, a BS in computer science and business, and an online engineering doctorate in engineering technology. They will join the existing eight graduate certificate programs and 41 master’s programs. There is also a concentration in animal and veterinary sciences program now that has a pre-veterenary bioscience medical microbiology concentration and a new PhD concentration was introduced in special education. In terms of online programs, there are new graduate certificates in advanced library and media specialists, athletic administration and teacher leadership. Some approved new minors include game and design development,  sports communication, sports technology, tourism, hospitality and outdoor recreation. 

These degrees and concentrations and minors are meant to produce relevant learning opportunities as we continue to be a university that’s focused on fostering learner success.

Since Jan. 20, there has been a shift in federal policies related to funding, and domestic and international students and faculty. Ferrini-Mundy ensures carefulness and practicality in navigating new executive guidelines with the guidance of elected representatives at a federal and state-level, and legal counsel. A Federal Action Stakeholder Team (FAST) meets three times a week to review new federal actions. Similarly, a Grants Review Team meets daily to analyze communications from federal funding agencies. The Ad Hoc Communications Team is responsible for planning clear and timely responses. 

Ferrini-Mundy shared that she met with other public land grant university presidents to compare strategies. She is grateful to Senator Susan Collins for persuading the U.S. Department of Commerce to restore the federal sea grant at UMaine. Ferrini-Mundy directed students to the UMS Federal Transition Updates webpage. 

The final announcements were that Maine Impact Week will take place April 7 through 11, and Dean of Students Robert Dana, who retired in January, will serve as the 2025 Undergraduate Commencement speaker. Committees remain working on final award decisions for graduation.

Throughout the State of the University speech, several members of UMGWU held up posters and handed out informational pamphlets to shed light on increasing concerns about the future for international graduate workers at UMaine. With this negotiation, UMGWU is not asking for an increase in programming for international graduate workers, but rather a guarantee that resources will remain, or at least the ability to bargain if changes are implemented. Em Sowles, a graduate student in the physics department, helped to lead this demonstration at the Minsky Recital Hall. 

“We’ve made a lot of great progress on our contract, but one of the sticking points has been around international grad worker rights and protections. Where we’re at right now, is the University system is refusing the last issue that we need to agree upon to reach an agreement on that article, which is around programming for international grad workers, and making sure there’s a commitment to continue that programming,” said Sowles. 

Peter Howe, a PhD student in the School of Forest Resources, was another participant who shared a similar sentiment. 

“These are issues that international graduate workers will continue to be speaking up about because these are their livelihoods on the line,” said Howe. “Particularly, with the Trump Administration really threatening a lot of protections and resources that are available to international grad workers, that need will only be growing more acute by the day.”