The University of Maine General Student Senate convened on March 19 to discuss the annual budget for next year, election results and a motion to send 110 students to Boston for the Men’s Hockey Semi-Finals. 

Club Maintenance:

Disability of Campus addressed the senate seeking preliminary recognition. The organization is advised by Director of Student Accessibility Services Sarah Henry and currently has over 16 members, with five people on the executive committee. It promotes community outreach, advocacy and inclusivity. The students involved meet regularly to discuss major issues and propose necessary actions. Preliminary recognition was granted. 

Guest Speaker:

Vice President for Financial Affairs Paige Allen reviewed the UMaine Student Government (UMSG) policies. The Executive Budgetary Committee (EBC) met with all 38 representative board community associations on March 18. Next week, budgets that were not reviewed during the meeting will be examined for potential amendments and approved.

The annual budget special meeting will commence on April 2 to establish the exact funds for next year. Organizations may issue additional requests if needed. The conservative total estimate is based on decreasing enrollment projections. 

The annual budget accounts for legal services by Attorney Sean O’mara, all divisions of student entertainment, various organizations, community associations, eligible committees, all eligible clubs, compensation, insurance expenses and contracted special allocations.

The allocated funds cannot exceed revenue. Organizations may present their budgets, and the Senate will vote to pass or not pass the entire budget. Members could vote to strike any individual line from the annual budget and reduce or increase the dollar amount in any category. 

Special allocations account for irregular requests and are not specified for particular purposes. However, a certain amount is typically set aside for outdoor clubs for gear and storage. Last year, $5,000 was available. 

Campus Recreation and UMSG collaborate to help club sports succeed. Funds are granted based on tiers of service, requiring the groups to fundraise and volunteer. The five tiers are as follows: Tier one mandates 1000 hours of community service in return for $10,000, tier two mandates 150 hours for $5,000 and tier three mandates 50 hours for $500. Campus Recreation completely supports the final two tiers. Clubs have until the last day of finals weeks to meet the tier guidelines at the risk of being bumped down.

“I play club field hockey, and we are currently tier two. What that means is we have to complete 150 hours of community service and fundraise $1,000 to be eligible to receive funding from student government,” said Allen. “We don’t determine which tiers sports clubs fall into; that is set at Campus Rec. They have their own guidelines, but we have decided, as student government, to accept the recommendations from Campus Recreation and fund based on the tiers people are sorted into.”

All budgets will be announced in public session as well as recorded and streamed. The salaries of the three full-time UMSG employees are not public information and will only be shared in executive sessions. 

Executive Reports: 

Student Body President Michael Delorge announced that executive position applications are due on March 21 by midnight. He is working on interview questions with some input from senators but will not disclose the final set to avoid conflicts of interest. 

Student body vice president Keegan Tripp compiled the outdoor club storage survey over Spring Break. The syllabus bank website was created, and members of UMSG are building out the repository.

Tripp met with Dean Dana and Andrea Gifford to discuss improving the cleanliness of certain on-campus facilities. The dirty couches in the Wade Center will be promptly taken care of. 

Vice President for Student Organizations Julian Ober announced that Chi Alpha was reactivated. She will meet with the Center for Student Involvement to discuss increasing interaction with Campus Groups.

UMSG is hosting a comedy show performed by Joe Gatto from “Impractical Jokers” on April 5 at 8 p.m. Tickets are free to students and can be purchased at the Collins Center for the Arts box office.  As of now, 295 people signed up. 

Jacob Chaplin, vice president for student leadership, announced that the Student Speaker Showcase would occur on March 21 in room one of the Wells Conference Center at 2 p.m.

Director for Technology Riley Mills shared that the UMSG website received 789 views, including 114 new users, on March 4. The election page became the 19th most popular section, with 526 views

Nate Feng, food and dining representative, mentioned that Hilltop would host a game show event on March 20 at 4 p.m., with meal dollars as its prize. On March 21, a town hall meeting will be held at 1 p.m. The ‘Impossible Burger’ is now a daily vegetarian option at Hilltop and York. Dining services are expanding paid positions and seeking student marketing interns, influencers and ambassadors. 

Election results: 

Of the 7317 students invited to cast their votes for president and vice president, 824 of them filled out the survey. The response rate was 11% of the UMaine undergraduate student body. 

Keegan Tripp received 654 out of 824 votes. Memphis Peterson, Tripp’s running mate, secured about 57% of the votes, with a total of 476. Kyle Ricker received 251 votes, which accounts for about 30% of participants. 

Tripp and Peterson are officially the student body president-elect and vice president-elect and will take office on April 16, following their inauguration. However, they do not fully assume those positions until the fall 2024 semester.

Nominations:

Zoe Stankevitz was elected to serve on the student entertainment committee. 

Main motion:

Delorge requested that UMSG appropriate $10,150 to cover transportation fees for 110 students to travel to Massachusetts and back. The Men’s Hockey Semi-Finals were held in Boston on March 21. Many UMaine students wish to attend and show their support. 

Upon contacting four bus companies, Northeast Coach Lines was the only available option. It requires a payment of $5,000 per bus. The funds would cover two buses, which can each fit 56 students. The fare per student is less than $100. As of March 19, 53 people have expressed interest in securing a spot via Google Form. 

A second Google Form was sent out on March 20 as an official sign-up. Those participating in the trip must purchase game tickets individually. The student section is already full. However, general admission is an option. 

According to an email from Delorge, the Itinerary is as follows:

-1:45 p.m. Bus arrives to the Union Circle (near Hauck Auditorium)

-2:00 p.m. Bus Departs

-6:00 p.m. ETA TD Garden

-7:30 p.m. Hockey game begins

-11:30 p.m. Depart time TD Garden

-3:30 a.m. ETA UMO – Memorial Union Circle

Students are not required to return to the bus if they wish to stay in Boston through Saturday. There will be reminders sent out to ensure that anyone who wishes to return on March 22 can do so. UMSG is not liable if individuals miss the transportation back to Orono. 

The main motion was amended to align with student interests. As it stands, 75% of each bus must be filled for UMSG to purchase both. The first 55 students to sign up secure a spot on the first bus and the potential for a second is TBD.

The University of Maine President Dr. Joan Ferrini-Mundy delivered her State of the University Address on March 7 to discuss budget, enrollment, R1 status, athletics and university-wide updates. Following the speech, Ferrini-Mundy and Dean Robert Dana held a reception to hear undergraduate concerns and answer questions posed by various student leaders.

Some internal and external market forces UMaine faces include declining enrollment, increasing competition, rising costs, changing student needs and aging infrastructure.

The Board of Trustees-approved Fiscal Year (FY) 24 budget ends in June. It centers around reducing operational expenses and generating new revenues. The budget proposals for FY 25 were reviewed on March 5. 

The average age of buildings on the Orono campus is 53 years. An estimated $1 billion is needed to fund repairs over the next decade. Ferrini-Mundy shared that the UMS is working with the federal government to build the necessary resources for the university to make investments.

“We need to hear every creative revenue generation idea possible and be nimble in implementing the most promising of them. We need to grow our enrollment and improve retention,” said Ferrini-Mundy. “UMaine has a particular challenge of working to correct decades of deferred maintenance and I’d like to thank the chancellor for his leadership in expecting that all of the system campuses step up their spending on deferred maintenance as a part of our budget work.”

Vice President for Financial Affairs and Chief Financial Officer Kelly Sparks convened two new committees, the Presidential Space Advisory Committee and the Budget Advisory Committee. The progress of each commission is visible via the president’s webpage.

There are currently 16,000 first-year applicants for the fall of 2024. Over 670 students officially committed to pursuing higher education at UMaine. According to Ferrini-Mundy, acceptance letters welcoming the class of 2028 are sent out rapidly. The total admitted applicants and matriculated students supersede the number from last year. 

Ferrini-Mundy ensured the administration listens to prospective and current students about which factors they consider most important and intends to develop various programs and offerings to increase enrollment. Similarly, UMaine will provide monetary support despite FAFSA challenges. Estimated financial aid packages were mailed to prospective students and their families on March 1.

UMaine’s research enterprise received national and international recognition in 2022, granting the University its R1 Status. The American Council on Education will base the qualifications for R1 status on new criteria for 2025. 

“What is most important is that we are an excellent university where our three missions of teaching, research and engagement are interwoven in ways that benefit our students and our state,” said Ferrini-Mundy.

UMaine Women’s Soccer secured the American East Women’s Championship. The quarter-final will take place on March 8 at 5 p.m. UMaine Guard Anne Simon was named both the America East Player and Defensive Player of the Year on March 6. Amy Vachon was deemed Coach of the Year for the eighth time by the same league. 

Ferrini-Mundy praised the UMaine community’s response to prevalent state-wide afflictions. Student Body President Michael Delorge, first-year student Jeremy Collamore and others organized an on-campus vigil shortly after the Lewiston shootings to unite the UMaine community. 

Several coastal regions across Maine suffered severe flood damage resulting from the mid-January storms. There were high tides, heavy rain and strong gusts of wind. The Downeast Coastal Conservancy and Maine Coast Heritage Trusts worked with volunteers from the Machias community to take tide height measurements and gather information.

In terms of global engagement, UMaine currently has the highest number of international students that it has seen, with 563 students from 86 countries enrolled. The Office of International Programs supports 27 refugee students from 12 countries of origin. 

A total solar eclipse will occur on April 8. Versant Power Astronomy Center is hosting a series of special programs for the event.

Efforts to confront climate change are underway. The UMaine Facilities Management Team prioritizes reducing its carbon footprint. The Energy Center plans to establish a new steam plant that runs on biofuels instead of fossil fuels. 

The societal introduction of Generative Artificial Intelligence marks the first time a technological revolution of this magnitude has been widely accessible. The European Strategy and Policy Analysis System predicts that 125 billion devices will be connected to the internet by 2030, which is nearly five times the reported number in 2017. UMaine moves broadly into the use and study of AI. 

UMaine Associate Professor of Special Education Sarah Howorth is researching the use of AI tools for text language generation to support students with disabilities. 

Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School Kody Varahramyan established UMaine AI. His vision is to make Maine “a world-class hub for artificial intelligence research education, application.” The objective is to educate students and faculty in computing efforts, privacy, attack detection, surface contamination, imagery and visualization, virtual reality, forestry, agriculture, 3D printing, etc. 

An additional $80 million was allocated from the Harold Alfond Foundation to complete its Black Bear Athletic Master Plan, extending the initial amount of $90 million. $7 million from New Balance will fund a new track/field and soccer complex. An anonymous UMaine alum donated $15.5 million to create two new senior faculty roles in the mathematics and engineering department, marking the largest individual donation the university has received. 

Last year, UMaine received its first Center of Biomedical Research Excellence Award (COBRE). This award involves a $11.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, led by Dr. Clarissa Henry, professor of biomedical sciences.

Approximately 280,000 people received college credits from UMaine without fully completing their degree programs. Chief Executive Officer of the Cooperative Extension Dr. Hannah Carter is leading an adult education initiative titled “Finish Strong,” with a focus on new Mainers. 

A reception following the President’s address provided several students with an opportunity to ask questions.

In the following reception, UMaine Student Government Senator Meredyth Waters mentioned that the microbiology department has experienced significant funding cuts from its college, which will decrease the number of courses and potentially professors next semester. 

Ferrini-Mundy explained that UMaine is a decentralized university, and reductions do not necessarily indicate that the affected departments are valued less.

Vice President Keegan Tripp pointed out that very few students were included in the reception. He seeks to expand similar opportunities to more people who are interested. Tripp also referenced the poor communication of administration regarding the Estabrooke Hall restructure and asked, “What are the steps currently being taken to make sure that the next time something like that happens the communication is better? Also, are there any opportunities that perhaps we can do to maybe expand town hall-like things to more students?”

Ferrini-Mundy agrees to plan such programs between now and the start of the next academic year. She understands that monthly office hours are different from a focused group discussion. 

While large, open sessions are difficult because the number of people who speak are limited, Ferrini-Mundy believes conversations with student government and other organizations are of great benefit. She mentioned a re-implementation of flash surveys to gauge student opinion on different issues that lead to meetings. 

Tripp feels a mixture of both bigger and smaller group discussions is pivotal because many students feel that the administrators are inaccessible and prefer asking questions themselves rather than through student leaders. It would benefit both sides for the administration to hear from many populations. 

The Maine Campus scaled common concerns by asking students at the Memorial Union what they feel the administration needs to address. The three most prevalent issues include dining quality, safety in terms of potholes and icy walkways, which are inaccessible, and the experience of racism or misrepresentation of marginalized groups on campus.   

“Those concerns have been clearly and firmly conveyed to Sodexo, with expectations and even some sort of a program in plan for them to be able to address them,” said Ferrini-Mundy. 

According to Ferrini-Mundy, Facilities Management is competent in maintaining an old campus, specifically its HVAC systems, heating and leaking roofs. The team closely monitors the status of roads and sidewalks. There are only certain times of the year when those issues can be resolved. She agreed to bring those points to them.

“When students experience that [racism], someone in the faculty or staff needs to hear about it directly. They should choose the people that they are closest to if they have a professor or a faculty member or an RA, anyone in student life, anyone in the provost office, my office, me,” said Ferrini-Mundy. “Hearing those stories is really critical for us to try to take the right actions to make a more systemic difference.”

Dean Dana considers racism an “ancient problem” and feels it requires a consistent discussion and approach, especially involving student groups. The Student Heritage Alliance Commission was re-established to provide a safe space for such discussions and comradeship. The Multicultural Student Center is another resource for support.

“The good news is, I will tell you this, in my 40 years here at the University of Maine, things have improved a lot just in terms of the cultural makeup on campus,” said Dana. “Maine is now a place where there are resettled refugees numbering in the multi-thousands. To get those folks here for our discussions is really important.”

Rachel Pellis emphasized the need for an increase of staff and resources in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. There is a prominent shortage of safe physical spaces, and the organization requires more faculty-driven power and less weight on student leaders to host more events beyond its singular room in the Memorial Union. 

“We do not have the proper facilities to incentivize and invite students of a diverse cultural background to come here compared to UMass, UCONN, Binghamton, compared to schools that have really invested in having spaces and having faculty that are dedicated to those issues,” said Pellis.

Ferrini-Mundy is the 21st UMaine president, nearing her sixth year in the position. She is a faculty member of UMaine’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics, an honorary member of All Maine Women and a Maine Master Gardener volunteer. For more information about the Office of the President, visit https://umaine.edu/president/. 

In his State of the Union Address, delivered on the evening of March 7, President Joe Biden opened by referring to the speech made by Former President Franklin Roosevelt in 1941, in which he stated, “The freedom of democracy is under assault.” Biden insinuated that the freedom of democracy has not been under its current degree of assault in the United States and overseas since the threat posed by Adolf Hitler. 

Russia-Ukraine War:

Vladimir Putin of Russia is invading Ukraine, which ensues chaos throughout Europe. According to Biden, the U.S. must stand with Ukraine by providing weaponry. He referenced a recent statement made by Former President Donald Trump, which indicates that he told a European leader that Russia should be able to “do whatever the hell they want.” 

Biden praised the strength of NATO and welcomed Finland to the military alliance of democratic nations. Sweden joined on the morning of March 7, and the nation’s prime minister was present. 

Insurrection:

Biden described the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection as the “darkest of days.” Biden claims the rioters’ attempt to obstruct the peaceful transfer of power served as the gravest threat to U.S. democracy since the Civil War.

Reproductive Rights:

Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022. On Feb. 6, 2024, the Alabama Supreme Court shut down IVF treatments across the state. The ramifications are nationwide. The Texas ban on abortion prevented a woman named Kate Cox from Dallas from receiving the proper medical care when her life was at risk, causing her to leave the state. Biden blames Trump for the Supreme Court decision and described Vice President Kamala Harris as an advocate for reproductive freedom.

“If you, the American people, send me a congress that supports the right to choose, I promise you I will restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land again,” said Biden. 

Pandemic:

Nearly four years ago, over one million American lives were lost when the worst pandemic and economic crisis of the century struck the U.S. As a silver lining, Biden mentioned that COVID-19 vaccines are now used to treat cancer. 

In the past three years, 15 million new jobs have been created, and 16 million Americans have opened small businesses. There are 800,000 new manufacturing jobs in the country, and wages are increasing. Inflation, currently the lowest in the world, has dropped from 5% to 3%. 

Biden is pushing for a future where the trickle-down economics come to an end, and as will tax breaks for the largest, wealthiest companies.

Healthcare:

Americans pay more for prescription drugs than anywhere else in the world. Biden proposed and signed a law granting Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices for prescription medication. His goal is to “beat big pharma.” Instead of drug companies charging approximately $400 a month for insulin, which takes $10 to manufacture, those with diabetes pay a total of $35.

“We will no longer have to pay those exorbitant prices to big pharma. This year, Medicare is negotiating lower prices for some of the costliest drugs on the market, which treat everything from heart disease to arthritis,” Biden said. “It is now time to go further and give Medicare the power to negotiate lower prices for 500 different drugs over the next decade.”

Regarding Trump’s intention to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Biden guarantees he will not allow that to happen and seeks to protect and expand it. 

First Lady Jill Biden is leading the first white house initiative on women’s health research.

Education:

Biden wants to ensure preschool opportunities for all three and four-year-olds in America. People who attend school before kindergarten are 50% more likely to finish high school and pursue higher education regardless of their background. He emphasized that the path toward a better-educated workforce is to expand high-quality tutoring and summer school programs so that every child learns to read by third grade. 

He also touched on making college education more affordable by increasing the Pell Grants offered to working and middle-class families. During Biden’s time in office, he fixed two loan programs to reduce the burden of student debt for four billion Americans.

Taxes:

Biden supports an annual tax credit that would provide Americans with $400 a month for the next two years as mortgage rates begin to decrease steadily. The federal deficit was cut by over one trillion dollars, and Biden’s goal is to decrease the sum to less than three trillion dollars.

He shared that the last administration enacted a two trillion dollar tax code, greatly benefiting the top 1%. Trump added more to the national debt in his time in office than any other presidential term in U.S. history. Among the 1000 billionaires in the nation, their federal tax is 8.2%, which is less than what the vast majority of Americans pay.

International Security. 

In November, Biden’s team negotiated a bipartisan bill that enacted the strictest set of border security forms thus far. High-tech drug detection machines are used to prevent vehicles from smuggling fentanyl into the U.S. The bill was endorsed by the Border Patrol Unit as well as the Federal Chamber of Commerce. 

Climate Change:

Biden promises to cut carbon emissions in half and conserve 30% of American land and water by 2030. He launched the Climate Corps in 2023, which trains and employs 20,000 young people in clean energy efforts. 

Shootings:

Biden established the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, led by Harris, in the White House. He demands a ban on assault weapons and universal background checks, claiming neither of which violates the Second Amendment of one’s right to bear arms. 

Israel-Palestine Conflict: 

On Oct. 7, 1,200 innocent people were killed, and 215 hostages were taken in the Hamas attack on Israel. 

“Israel has an added burden because Hamas hides and operates among the civilian population like cowards. Under hospitals, daycare centers and all the like,” said Biden. Israel also has a fundamental responsibility, though, to protect innocent civilians in Gaza.”

The backlash has taken more of a toll on innocent civilians in Palestine than all previous wars in Gaza combined. Over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, most of whom are not Hamas. 2 million people are under bombardment and displacement across cities in ruin. 

Biden assures that he is working to establish a six-week ceasefire to release all prisoners and hostages. He is also directing the U.S. military to lead an emergency mission that would implement a temporary pier under the coast of Gaza, with the capacity to receive large shipments of food, water, medicine and temporary shelters. 

As the first American president to visit Israel in wartime, Biden declared that the only real answer is an eventual two-state solution.

The General Student Senate (GSS) met on March 5 to discuss the grand opening of Hotel Ursa, Spirit Week at the end of the semester and various security updates. 

Club Maintenance:

Computing Club addressed the senate seeking final recognition. Some of the club’s initiatives include lectures, events and graduate panels. They have over 50 active students who often split into the subsections of web development and AI tracks. The motion passed.

Executive Reports:

Student Body President Michael Delorge attended the Alumni Association quarterly board meeting on March 1. He reported on GSS matters and student body experience, voicing concerns about dining and other issues.

Delorge also took a tour of Hotel Ursa, which is established from two historic buildings and one newly constructed one. A total of 95 rooms opened on March 1. The UMaine System recently allocated $500,000 toward the hotels. 

“I was very impressed with what I saw in the opening of the hotel,” Delorge said. “I think it’s a great benefit to our campus, but I have voiced to administrators so far and will continue to do so that we should be putting money and resources into our dormitories and facilities for students.”

GSS signed a new Memorandum of Understanding contract with the eSports arena. Its obligation to cover repairs will continue without commitment to any specific dollar amount. Funds granted will be at the Senate’s discretion. GSS will be conducting surveys to gauge interest and where improvements should be made in the space.

Vice President Keegan Tripp announced the club gear survey has closed, as the deadline to fill it out has passed. He will compile the responses over spring break to start tackling the issue of storage space shortly after. Tripp also shared that the March 5 meeting will be the first one posted on YouTube for those who cannot attend. Students and staff can access all GSS recordings from this point forward. 

Vice President for Student Entertainment Myles Moore mentioned five food trucks will be on the mall for Maine Day of Service. Also, the UMSG comedy show is set for April 5 at 8 p.m. in the Collins Center for the Arts. Joe Gatto from the show “Impractical Jokers” is scheduled to perform. Tickets can be purchased through a QR code via Linktree. 

Vice President for Student Leadership Jacob Chaplin learned to use Sharepoint and will start building the syllabus repository on March 8. Nine applicants were also selected for the Student Speaker Showcase, which will take place on March 21 at 2 p.m. in the Wells Conference Center. 

Periodic reports:

Camden Olson, the chairman of the fair election practices commission, sent over 15,500 emails to students who are eligible to vote in the student body presidential and vice presidential elections. As of March 5, the response rate was about 10% of the entire undergraduate student body. 

“We’ve done better in these two days than we did on the election day last year,” said Olson. 

Old Town / Orono Town Council Liaison Darrin Martone is meeting with the new hiring committee for the town manager. He mentioned that a new restaurant called Manny’s has opened at 241 Main Street. 

Director of Communications Hope Carroll shared that job openings within the Senate are open on @UMSGINC Instagram. 

According to Security Representative Cali Warren, UMaine will update all of the classroom locks by spring break. Over half of the doors have been fixed. Two of the blue light posts around campus are currently non-functional. The post in front of the east annex will not be removed but will be connected to a different building. Security cameras in the Memorial Union will be upgraded. 

Haden Buzzell, the political activism committee chairman, encouraged the senate to vote in Orono’s municipal election, specifically on the question that determined whether or not the election day would move from March to November. Three council chairs are open. 

Consent agenda:

Act to allocate $1,210 for Maine Masque to send two students to the US Institute of Theater Technology Conference in Seattle, Washington: $270 covers student membership, and $940 covers hotel fees. The funds were granted.

Act to allocate $1,680 to the Caribbean and Latino Student Alliance for its Carnaval Festival held in the Memorial Union, North Pod: $125 covers decorations, $147 covers cups, plates and utensils and $1,592 covers food and beverages. The funds were granted.

Act to allocate $2,900 to the Wrestling Club for the NCWA National Tournament in Louisiana from March 13 to 16: $1400 covers lodging, $350 covers van rental, $150 covers the entry fee, and $1000 covers airfare. The funds were granted.

Lastly, an act to amend the Standing Rules of Student Government Inc. to garner engagement in the Student Entertainment and Student Leadership committees was passed.

The Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump will appear on the Maine ballot on March 5 and November 2024. The decision was made unanimously on March 4. Only Congress itself has the power to apply Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, meaning states cannot individually disqualify a politician from holding office. All votes cast for Trump will be counted. 

Following Colorado, Maine was the second state to call for Trump’s removal from the 2024 ballot. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows released a 34-page statement on Dec. 15, which defended Maine’s decision to disqualify Trump from running due to his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Bellow’s decision has since been retracted due to the recent Supreme Court ruling. 

“Consistent with my oath and obligation to follow the law and the Constitution, and pursuant to the Anderson decision, I hereby withdraw my determination that Trump’s primary petition is invalid,” Bellows said in a modified ruling.

Polls are officially open for Super Tuesday, which is an opportunity to vote for the President eight months before November. Millions of U.S. citizens will participate across 15 states. Democrats and Republicans are holding primaries or caucuses in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Utah, Virginia and the U.S. territory of American Samoa. 

Moving up the Election Day gives states a greater chance of influencing results. Trump is expected to secure the republican nomination due to the most recent Supreme Court decision. One-third of available delegates in both parties are at stake. Two judicial branches of the states opening for primaries did attempt to remove Trump from the ballots. 

Currently, Trump is ahead of President Joe Biden by approximately 25% in the primary with 273 delegates. He needs 1,215 more to secure the nomination, while Biden needs 1,968 votes for the Democratic Party nomination. Nikki Haley, Trump’s only Republican opponent, has a total of 43 delegates at this time. Eight hundred sixty-five delegates are at stake in the Republican Party. Maine has 20 Republican delegates and 24 Democratic delegates. 

Trump provoked outrage in the Republican Party by claiming the 2020 election votes were counted unjustly. He made a public speech accusing the U.S. Government of voter fraud, which instigated a riot. Two months after he lost the 2020 election, a mob of supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. to prevent confirmation of the voter results in Biden’s favor. 

“Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 election. Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild,” Trump tweeted on Dec. 19, 2020. 

The supporters impeded a joint session of Congress counting electoral college votes. Due to the aggressive nature of about 2,000 rioters who illegally entered the Capitol, several people died, and hundreds sustained injuries.

The congressional select committee claimed Trump’s tweet played a major role in prompting the insurgent violence that took place against the government. The Supreme Court did not specify the extent of his legal involvement in its ruling. 

Trump has been indicted four times within the last year and faces 91 felony counts. He is accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in Washington D.C. and Georgia. Furthermore, he may be charged with hoarding classified documents at his Florida estate and falsifying business records by making hush money payments during the 2016 campaign period. 

The four-count overturning indictment includes conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and defraud the U.S. Government. Trump pleaded not guilty, and the case was set for trial on March 4, until he appealed it for the reason of potential prosecution immunity for official acts taken in the White House. It is unclear whether or not the Supreme Court will intervene. 

The hush money scheme involves installments made during the former president’s campaign period to cover up extramarital sexual encounter allegations. The case will first proceed to trial on March 25. Thirty-four felony counts are connected to a series of checks written for Trump’s lawyer as compensation for monetarily silencing Stormy Daniels, a porn actor who alleged a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. 

The classified documents case is composed of 40 felony charges. Allegedly, the papers contained a classified map and Pentagon plan of attack that was indiscreetly exposed. Trump repeatedly enlisted lawyers and aides to conceal top-secret documentation from investigators. 

Biden, 81, is the oldest president in American history. Many question his authority and argue that he does not have the stamina to serve another four years. He is once again running alongside Vice President Kamala Harris. Members of the Democratic Party have criticized Biden’s lack of support toward a permanent ceasefire in Palestinian territory.

The rematch between Trump and Biden will determine whether the majority of people in the country and members of Congress believe Trump’s actions in and out of office to be illicit or that he should be reappointed nevertheless. 

The Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump will appear on the Maine ballot on March 5 and November 2024. The decision was made unanimously on March 4. Only Congress itself has the power to apply Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, meaning states cannot individually disqualify a politician from holding office. All votes cast for Trump will be counted. 

Following Colorado, Maine was the second state to call for Trump’s removal from the 2024 ballot. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows released a 34-page statement on Dec. 15, which defended Maine’s decision to disqualify Trump from running due to his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Bellow’s decision has since been retracted due to the recent Supreme Court ruling. 

“Consistent with my oath and obligation to follow the law and the Constitution, and pursuant to the Anderson decision, I hereby withdraw my determination that Trump’s primary petition is invalid,” Bellows said in a modified ruling.

Polls are officially open for Super Tuesday, which is an opportunity to vote for the President eight months before November. Millions of U.S. citizens will participate across 15 states. Democrats and Republicans are holding primaries or caucuses in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Utah, Virginia and the U.S. territory of American Samoa. 

Moving up the Election Day gives states a greater chance of influencing results. Trump is expected to secure the republican nomination due to the most recent Supreme Court decision. One-third of available delegates in both parties are at stake. Two judicial branches of the states opening for primaries did attempt to remove Trump from the ballots. 

Currently, Trump is ahead of President Joe Biden by approximately 25% in the primary with 273 delegates. He needs 1,215 more to secure the nomination, while Biden needs 1,968 votes for the Democratic Party nomination. Nikki Haley, Trump’s only Republican opponent, has a total of 43 delegates at this time. Eight hundred sixty-five delegates are at stake in the Republican Party. Maine has 20 Republican delegates and 24 Democratic delegates. 

Trump provoked outrage in the Republican Party by claiming the 2020 election votes were counted unjustly. He made a public speech accusing the U.S. Government of voter fraud, which instigated a riot. Two months after he lost the 2020 election, a mob of supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. to prevent confirmation of the voter results in Biden’s favor. 

“Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 election. Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild,” Trump tweeted on Dec. 19, 2020. 

The supporters impeded a joint session of Congress counting electoral college votes. Due to the aggressive nature of about 2,000 rioters who illegally entered the Capitol, several people died, and hundreds sustained injuries.

The congressional select committee claimed Trump’s tweet played a major role in prompting the insurgent violence that took place against the government. The Supreme Court did not specify the extent of his legal involvement in its ruling. 

Trump has been indicted four times within the last year and faces 91 felony counts. He is accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in Washington D.C. and Georgia. Furthermore, he may be charged with hoarding classified documents at his Florida estate and falsifying business records by making hush money payments during the 2016 campaign period. 

The four-count overturning indictment includes conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and defraud the U.S. Government. Trump pleaded not guilty, and the case was set for trial on March 4, until he appealed it for the reason of potential prosecution immunity for official acts taken in the White House. It is unclear whether or not the Supreme Court will intervene. 

The hush money scheme involves installments made during the former president’s campaign period to cover up extramarital sexual encounter allegations. The case will first proceed to trial on March 25. Thirty-four felony counts are connected to a series of checks written for Trump’s lawyer as compensation for monetarily silencing Stormy Daniels, a porn actor who alleged a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. 

The classified documents case is composed of 40 felony charges. Allegedly, the papers contained a classified map and Pentagon plan of attack that was indiscreetly exposed. Trump repeatedly enlisted lawyers and aides to conceal top-secret documentation from investigators. 

Biden, 81, is the oldest president in American history. Many question his authority and argue that he does not have the stamina to serve another four years. He is once again running alongside Vice President Kamala Harris. Members of the Democratic Party have criticized Biden’s lack of support toward a permanent ceasefire in Palestinian territory.

The rematch between Trump and Biden will determine whether the majority of people in the country and members of Congress believe Trump’s actions in and out of office to be illicit or that he should be reappointed nevertheless. 

The Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump will appear on the Maine ballot on March 5 and November 2024. The decision was made unanimously on March 4. Only Congress itself has the power to apply Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, meaning states cannot individually disqualify a politician from holding office. All votes cast for Trump will be counted. 

Following Colorado, Maine was the second state to call for Trump’s removal from the 2024 ballot. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows released a 34-page statement on Dec. 15, which defended Maine’s decision to disqualify Trump from running due to his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Bellow’s decision has since been retracted due to the recent Supreme Court ruling. 

“Consistent with my oath and obligation to follow the law and the Constitution, and pursuant to the Anderson decision, I hereby withdraw my determination that Trump’s primary petition is invalid,” Bellows said in a modified ruling.

Polls are officially open for Super Tuesday, which is an opportunity to vote for the President eight months before November. Millions of U.S. citizens will participate across 15 states. Democrats and Republicans are holding primaries or caucuses in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Utah, Virginia and the U.S. territory of American Samoa. 

Moving up the Election Day gives states a greater chance of influencing results. Trump is expected to secure the republican nomination due to the most recent Supreme Court decision. One-third of available delegates in both parties are at stake. Two judicial branches of the states opening for primaries did attempt to remove Trump from the ballots. 

Currently, Trump is ahead of President Joe Biden by approximately 25% in the primary with 273 delegates. He needs 1,215 more to secure the nomination, while Biden needs 1,968 votes for the Democratic Party nomination. Nikki Haley, Trump’s only Republican opponent, has a total of 43 delegates at this time. Eight hundred sixty-five delegates are at stake in the Republican Party. Maine has 20 Republican delegates and 24 Democratic delegates. 

Trump provoked outrage in the Republican Party by claiming the 2020 election votes were counted unjustly. He made a public speech accusing the U.S. Government of voter fraud, which instigated a riot. Two months after he lost the 2020 election, a mob of supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. to prevent confirmation of the voter results in Biden’s favor. 

“Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 election. Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild,” Trump tweeted on Dec. 19, 2020. 

The supporters impeded a joint session of Congress counting electoral college votes. Due to the aggressive nature of about 2,000 rioters who illegally entered the Capitol, several people died, and hundreds sustained injuries.

The congressional select committee claimed Trump’s tweet played a major role in prompting the insurgent violence that took place against the government. The Supreme Court did not specify the extent of his legal involvement in its ruling. 

Trump has been indicted four times within the last year and faces 91 felony counts. He is accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in Washington D.C. and Georgia. Furthermore, he may be charged with hoarding classified documents at his Florida estate and falsifying business records by making hush money payments during the 2016 campaign period. 

The four-count overturning indictment includes conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and defraud the U.S. Government. Trump pleaded not guilty, and the case was set for trial on March 4, until he appealed it for the reason of potential prosecution immunity for official acts taken in the White House. It is unclear whether or not the Supreme Court will intervene. 

The hush money scheme involves installments made during the former president’s campaign period to cover up extramarital sexual encounter allegations. The case will first proceed to trial on March 25. Thirty-four felony counts are connected to a series of checks written for Trump’s lawyer as compensation for monetarily silencing Stormy Daniels, a porn actor who alleged a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. 

The classified documents case is composed of 40 felony charges. Allegedly, the papers contained a classified map and Pentagon plan of attack that was indiscreetly exposed. Trump repeatedly enlisted lawyers and aides to conceal top-secret documentation from investigators. 

Biden, 81, is the oldest president in American history. Many question his authority and argue that he does not have the stamina to serve another four years. He is once again running alongside Vice President Kamala Harris. Members of the Democratic Party have criticized Biden’s lack of support toward a permanent ceasefire in Palestinian territory.

The rematch between Trump and Biden will determine whether the majority of people in the country and members of Congress believe Trump’s actions in and out of office to be illicit or that he should be reappointed nevertheless. 

The Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald Trump will appear on the Maine ballot on March 5 and November 2024. The decision was made unanimously on March 4. Only Congress itself has the power to apply Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, meaning states cannot individually disqualify a politician from holding office. All votes cast for Trump will be counted. 

Following Colorado, Maine was the second state to call for Trump’s removal from the 2024 ballot. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows released a 34-page statement on Dec. 15, which defended Maine’s decision to disqualify Trump from running due to his involvement in the Jan. 6 insurrection. Bellow’s decision has since been retracted due to the recent Supreme Court ruling. 

“Consistent with my oath and obligation to follow the law and the Constitution, and pursuant to the Anderson decision, I hereby withdraw my determination that Trump’s primary petition is invalid,” Bellows said in a modified ruling.

Polls are officially open for Super Tuesday, which is an opportunity to vote for the President eight months before November. Millions of U.S. citizens will participate across 15 states. Democrats and Republicans are holding primaries or caucuses in Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Utah, Virginia and the U.S. territory of American Samoa. 

Moving up the Election Day gives states a greater chance of influencing results. Trump is expected to secure the republican nomination due to the most recent Supreme Court decision. One-third of available delegates in both parties are at stake. Two judicial branches of the states opening for primaries did attempt to remove Trump from the ballots. 

Currently, Trump is ahead of President Joe Biden by approximately 25% in the primary with 273 delegates. He needs 1,215 more to secure the nomination, while Biden needs 1,968 votes for the Democratic Party nomination. Eight hundred sixty-five delegates are at stake in the Republican Party. Maine has 20 Republican delegates and 24 Democratic delegates. 

Trump provoked outrage in the Republican Party by claiming the 2020 election votes were counted unjustly. He made a public speech accusing the U.S. Government of voter fraud, which instigated a riot. Two months after he lost the 2020 election, a mob of supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C. to prevent confirmation of the voter results in Biden’s favor. 

“Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 election. Big protest in D.C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild,” Trump tweeted on Dec. 19, 2020. 

The supporters impeded a joint session of Congress counting electoral college votes. Due to the aggressive nature of about 2,000 rioters who illegally entered the Capitol, several people died, and hundreds sustained injuries.

The congressional select committee claimed Trump’s tweet played a major role in prompting the insurgent violence that took place against the government. The Supreme Court did not specify the extent of his legal involvement in its ruling. 

Trump has been indicted four times within the last year and faces 91 felony counts. He is accused of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in Washington D.C. and Georgia. Furthermore, he may be charged with hoarding classified documents at his Florida estate and falsifying business records by making hush money payments during the 2016 campaign period. 

The four-count overturning indictment includes conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding and defraud the U.S. Government. Trump pleaded not guilty, and the case was set for trial on March 4, until he appealed it for the reason of potential prosecution immunity for official acts taken in the White House. It is unclear whether or not the Supreme Court will intervene. 

The hush money scheme involves installments made during the former president’s campaign period to cover up extramarital sexual encounter allegations. The case will first proceed to trial on March 25. Thirty-four felony counts are connected to a series of checks written for Trump’s lawyer as compensation for monetarily silencing Stormy Daniels, a porn actor who alleged a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006. 

The classified documents case is composed of 40 felony charges. Allegedly, the papers contained a classified map and Pentagon plan of attack that was indiscreetly exposed. Trump repeatedly enlisted lawyers and aides to conceal top-secret documentation from investigators. 

Biden, 81, is the oldest president in American history. Many question his authority and argue that he does not have the stamina to serve another four years. He is once again running alongside Vice President Kamala Harris. Members of the Democratic Party have criticized Biden’s lack of support toward a permanent ceasefire in Palestinian territory.

The rematch between Trump and Biden will determine whether the majority of people in the country and members of Congress believe Trump’s actions in and out of office to be illicit or that he should be reappointed nevertheless. 

At the General Student Senate (GSS) meeting on Feb. 27, Chief Financial Officer Kelly Sparks clarified dining initiatives. GSS also discussed progress on establishing a University of Maine Student Government YouTube account and the order of names on the vice presidential ballot. 

Club Maintenance:

The University of Maine Golf Club was granted final recognition. The organization may submit funding requests for equipment in the future.

Guest Speaker: 

CFO and Vice President for Finance Kelly Sparks is a UMaine and a UMaine System (UMS) employee overseeing the budgeting function. She supports the facilities operations team and auxiliary units, which include housing, dining, childcare, student services and events/hospitality. 

As of now, the university is about halfway through Fiscal Year 24 (FY24). Sparks is preparing to submit a budget for fiscal year 25 with an initial presentation to the Board of Trustees on March 20. The meeting is open, both in-person and live-streamed on YouTube.

“Colleges and universities across the country are experiencing difficult budget situations right now… We have a smaller population set. That is specifically aggravated here in New England and in Maine,” said Sparks. “We will see over the next 10 years, probably about 1,500 fewer high school graduating seniors than we see today.” 

In FY24, a budget gap of $28.5 million more was being spent over the funds gained in state appropriations, tuition revenue, and indirect cost return. A three-year balancing plan to strategically grow enrollment while introducing new programs and services was recently approved by the BoT. 

The two proposals for balancing the budget are to allocate $9.5 million into growth investments and approximately $10 million in strategic reductions. A high-level summary will also be shared at the March 20 BoT meeting. 

Sparks also addressed student concerns about the quality of Sodexo dining services and specified that the partnership agreement was a university decision under the UMS contract. 

“There is an open survey right now to provide feedback. We are not waiting for all the responses to come in, we’re making changes on a daily basis at Hilltop in particular right now,” said Sparks. “We are also evaluating the dining program into fiscal year 25, both the all-you-can-eat as well as meal plan access for students.”

Sparks will dine at Hilltop every two weeks at random intervals to personally evaluate whether or not it is meeting expectations. 

In terms of housing options for next year, a three-part evaluation is being launched. Every building on campus will be given a physical review to assess the state and cost of repairs. UMaine is looking into remodeling options to implement more single-use bathrooms and accessible access to accommodate all residents.

The annual housing improvements may include tearing down buildings. An architect will create a pilot design for Hancock Hall revisions. From a sustainability perspective, UMaine intends to remove 89,000 square feet of space on campus to reduce energy consumption and decrease its carbon footprint. If followed through, $700,000 per year will be taken off the energy bill budget.

Four students will serve on the budget committee, which launches on Feb. 29. There will be undergraduate graduate representatives as well as a student-athlete and Machias leadership individual appointed. 

A third party will individually access facilities, specifically concerning the presence of cockroaches in older buildings, indoor repair and outdoor space improvements. 

Executive Reports:

Student Body President Michael Delorge praised the student and alumni engagement at the International Dance Festival held over the weekend. He is in the process of negotiating the new esports contract and replacing damaged items in the space. 

Delorge announced that a Western Winter Carnival will occur from 5 to 9 p.m. at Fogler Library. There will be a mechanical bull, a mocktail saloon, a casino with prizes, contradance with a live band and baby cow petting.  

“As president of student government, I am an on-voting member of the Alumni Association Board. They have their quarterly board meeting this Friday on campus in person. I will be going to give some updates about what our organization is up to and what undergrad student life is like on campus,” said Delorge. “In the morning, we are also getting a tour of Hotel Ursa.”

Student Body Vice President Keegan Tripp shared that a YouTube account was set up by Director of Communications Hope Carroll to begin uploading weekly GSS meetings. A survey regarding storage was sent to outdoor clubs, and its deadline is March 3. 

Vice President of Financial Affairs Paige Allen met with the cheer team and Tyson McHatten, senior associate director of athletics, on Feb. 23. She expressed the UMSG perspective regarding the lack of support cheerleading has received from Athletics. McHatten was responsive and agreed to go back to the department for fact-finding. Another meeting will be held after spring break.

Allen and Olivia Britton, BoT student representative, are setting up a standing meeting with Kelly Sparks to provide student feedback on a bi-weekly basis and communicate financial information to GSS. The UMSG starting projected and unallocated budget is currently $100,305.71.  

Orono Town City Council Liaison Darrin Martone was appointed to sit on the town manager search advisory committee.

New Business:

The Black Bear Beekeepers requested a sum of $1739.99. $645 for bees, $495 for oxalic acid vaporizer, $299 for observation hives and $300 for vaporizer batteries to be used throughout the spring 2024 semester. The organization, open to all students, educates members on how to keep and care for bees safely. Due to their efforts, UMaine is nationally accredited as a Bee Campus. The funds were granted. 

Services Committee Chairman Beau Michaud proposed an act to revise the UMSG hiring processes. The alterations would allow senators to participate in hiring committees and grant them priority for one seat on a committee. The senate would also be provided with applicant cover letters and resumes. The Resolution did not pass because it did not receive a two-thirds majority, which is required for any changes to the hiring policies. It may be reconsidered at a future meeting.

Fair Elections Practices Commission order of vice presidential candidates on the election ballot: Senator Kyle Ricker’s name was randomly selected to be put first and Policy and Procedure Committee Chairman Memphis Peterson’s will be second.

02/19:

At 7 a.m., two vehicles were involved in a property damage crash on Rangeley Road. No one was hurt. 

Around 8:30 p.m., a theft complaint was issued in Hancock Hall. A student’s shirt was missing from the laundry room. The University of Maine Police Department (UMPD) checked the camera footage and identified a female resident walking out with the shirt. When asked why she took the shirt, the student said she was not sure why and returned it to the owner. 

02/20: 

Around 1:30 p.m., criminal mischief occurred in Shibles Hall. “ROT ZZZ” was written across the men’s restroom mirror and “IZZY ROTZ” was on one of the stalls. There is no surveillance in the building.

At 2 p.m., drugs were reported in Hart Hall. The fourth floor had a strong smell of marijuana. UMPD could not pinpoint its source.

02/21:

At 2 a.m., a noise problem occurred in Somerset Hall. UMPD made contact with a group of students standing in the fourth floor hallway who were laughing and talking loudly. 

Around noon, a theft complaint was made between the New Balance Recreation Center and Hilltop. A student’s phone was taken and its tracking feature was disabled. There are no suspects at this time.

At 3 p.m., a property damage crash happened in the same area as the theft complaint. A parked car was struck by a vehicle backing out. UMPD discovered that the driver’s license was suspended by the Secretary of State. They temporarily confiscated the license until it becomes reactivated. 

At 7 p.m., UMPD made an agency assist to the state police regarding a student who lives in Hancock Hall. A trooper contacted university police because he drove away from a gas pump without paying for the gasoline by using a card that did not register. The student returned to pay the fee. 

02/22:

At 3:30 a.m., an information complaint was issued from Oxford Hall. The common room couch had been tipped over and turned onto its side. 

At 8 a.m., someone in Chadbourne Hall made a communications complaint regarding a strange email. The sender requested a sum of money and promised to give a larger amount of money in return. 

Around 1:30 p.m., criminal mischief was reported in Androscoggin Hall. Campus Eyes accused a person of breaking ceiling tiles on the third floor.

Around 3:30 p.m., a property damage crash occurred on Gannett Road in the Cumberland Hall parking lot. Two vehicles and two students were involved. One hit the other’s vehicle backing out of a spot. 

02/23:

At 4 p.m., there was criminal mischief in Boardman Hall. Someone dumped an entire bag of dry concrete in the second floor women’s restroom. 

Around 9:30 p.m., criminal mischief occurred again in Oxford Hall. A student went around the building and took name tags off each door. UMPD found the individual. They put all of the name tags back in place and were referred to conduct. 

02/24:

At midnight, there was a noise complaint at the FIJI fraternity house on College Avenue. UMPD arrived just as they were concluding a party. 

Around 2 a.m., an intoxication complaint was reported at Somerset Hall. A male student was found sleeping in the common area and vomiting on the floor. He refused transport and was submitted to conduct. 

Shortly after 5:30 a.m., criminal mischief was reported at Somerset Hall. One exit sign was damaged.

Around 3:30 p.m., there was a property damage crash in the Steam Plant Parking Lot. A student struck another vehicle while reversing out of a space. No injuries were sustained.

At 9:30 p.m., a resident assistant found a substantial amount of alcohol in the room of a student under the age of 21. UMPD photographed the alcohol, which mainly consisted of unopened bottles. The student drained them, was charged with possession of alcohol by a minor and submitted to conduct. 

02/25:

At midnight, an intoxication complaint was issued from Somerset Hall. A male student was vomiting in the restroom after drinking at the Sigma Phi Kapp Fraternity house. He was checked out by the University Volunteer Ambulance Corps (UVAC) but refused transport. The student was submitted to conduct

At 1:30 a.m. a domestic fight occurred in Oxford Hall. A male and female student were arguing loudly. Both of them were underage drinking and referred to conduct.

Around 1:30 a.m., there was an alcohol offense in Androscoggin Hall. Two female students under the age of 21 were caught carrying a bag which contained alcohol. The drinks were confiscated, and they were submitted to conduct.

At 3:30 a.m., an intoxication complaint was issued regarding a student who was extremely drunk. This person vomited, fell asleep, woke up and was “not acting right,” according to UMPD. The student was transported by UVAC and sent to conduct. 

Just before 12:30 p.m., a theft was made from the Bryant Global Science Center. A student placed a university-owned trail camera on a tree for research and left it there. The device was missing upon return. 

Around 1 a.m., a suspicious complaint was issued at University Park Family Housing. Two suspicious males who the caller did not recognize were walking through the area. UMPD located the subjects, and they turned out to be residents. 

Update on past crime:

The Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) Fraternity had a burglary last year. One big composite and one small one were taken from the house and left at another location. TKE does have outside surveillance, but the suspect’s face was not shown in the footage. Forensic evidence was submitted to a crime lab. The suspect has been identified by UMPD, and they are currently in the process of locating the person of interest.