The University of Maine History Department faces inconsistencies between what is expected of students and the resources available to them. There may be valid reasons to temporarily revise or restructure the list of compulsory history classes to more closely correspond with the actual opportunities offered.  

UMaine provides a digital catalog of courses mandatory to all undergraduate students. Its purpose is to track progress and fulfill required sections on a semester-by-semester basis.

The Fall 2022 History Major Requirement Checklist calls for two three-credit courses in U.S. History, two in European History, two 300 to 400-level courses outside of those geographical regions, four additional history classes and two seminars.

According to a UMaine System Sharepoint chart, the number of undergraduate students in UMaine’s history department increased by 11% between 2014 and 2023. As of last year, 98 students are pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in History.  

The number of full-time history professors has decreased by approximately 54% since 2014, based on data provided by History Department Chair Stephen Miller, which has been converted into the bar graph above. There are two tenured professors in History at this time. The department’s website has four adjunct members listed under faculty.

In November of 2022, the faculty senate briefly mentioned that a total of 80 professors would be stepping down following the 2022 to 2023 academic year. At the April 5 meeting, Emmanuel Boss and Mike Scott inquired about a faculty recruitment plan.

“Provost Volin said they are working with Kelly Sparks and are hopeful that within the next week or so to release those open positions; some they will try to immediately fill, look at a January hire for some and August 2024 for others,” According to page three of the April 5, 2023 faculty senate Minutes. 

“Mike Scott asked about the delayed hiring in January; he felt it seemed late to do a search. Provost Volin said they are working with the deans to offer some positions now, primarily searching for January and August starts. The clear message they want is we want no one to settle, if they are not getting people they need, they should restart and not settle for a candidate,” page 17 of the April 5, 2023 minutes.

Amanda Levesque is a third-year undergraduate student who specializes in ancient history. She is a member of the History Club and represents the Honors College Student Activity Board in the UMaine General Student Senate. Levesque has experienced certain drawbacks in the history department that may be common among her peers. 

Levesque conveyed that there are situations of students unable to make the cut for courses that are necessary for a Bachelor’s degree in history. The difficulty of enrollment is partially due to classes filling up quickly and because many are not offered regularly. 

Associates and department partners will sometimes teach courses over summer or winter break periods. However, extra semesters are not covered by merit scholarships, and students who are signed up must pay out of pocket or through loans. 

There is a strong prominence of specialized topics within history. Levesque explained that four professors on campus cover the period between the American Revolution and the Age of Discovery. Two different professors teach WWI and WWII. 

“We have one medieval historian. He is the only one, and currently, he’s on sabbatical. If anyone wants to take his Vikings course or needs to take their history of ancient and medieval Europe, you can’t take it until he comes back. Nobody else teaches that except for him,” said Levesque. 

UMaine, unlike most universities, does not have concentrations in history. Students are expected to take a wide range of courses outside their areas of expertise. Concentrations account for at least 30% of the major’s requirement. Some examples are Ancient History, History of Gender and Sexuality, European, African, Asian and Latin American Histories.

Levesque has also noticed an increase in class sizes. 100-level courses can have upwards of 50 students, with some sections having been moved online due to mass enrollment.

“Even 30 can be okay, but they’ve been pushing classes of one degree into that of others. So, in the history department, there’s a class coming up next semester being pushed towards the Classics and the Anthropology departments… once you get past 30, you can’t have class discussions anymore,” Levesque said. 

Teaching Assistant (TA) Nolan Merz is a graduate student of history who took another perspective on these issues. Three professors have left the department since his transfer to UMaine in 2021. 

“We’re in a rebuilding period right now. The hiring process is intense. It’s multiple days of meeting with all the professors, teaching presentations, research presentations and lunches with undergrads and graduate students. We just had a couple of people go through that process,” said Merz. 

UMaine is slowly adding faculty into the department to gauge interest in specific courses and specialties. Positions have been publicly requested online, which reveals that searches are being conducted. 

Levesque feels that some staff members are overwhelmed or overbooked due to the department’s faculty-to-student ratio of approximately 16 to one.

“Everybody is stretched so thin. It’s putting a lot on students to do really well and give really good reviews of professors, even if we might not want to give them a good review, because we need them here,” Levesque said. 

Merz mentioned that his department has been allotted a total of eight TAs, meaning that staff is full in that particular division. History recently received its highest number of applications from graduate students in years. 

“The one thing I really want to convey is that while I think the history department itself might be in a lull, it doesn’t mean it’s struggling,” said Merz. “There is enthusiasm by professors, there are great discussions in the building every day. Work is getting done.”

The General Student Senate (GSS) convened on Feb. 20 to discuss upcoming events and campus concerns. Tom Paeco attended to represent the Alumni Association, the Student Speaker Showcase is coming up in March and nominations for two positions were announced. 

Club maintenance: 

Jewish Voices for Peace addressed the senate seeking preliminary recognition. The motion passed. UMaine French Club was reactivated.

Guest Speaker: 

President and CEO of the University of Maine Alumni Association Tom Paeco was welcomed by the senate as the first guest speaker of 2024. Paeco graduated from the university in 1988. He shared that there are currently 110,000 alumni living across the world. Half of them still reside in Maine. Massachusetts is the second most alumni-populated state, and Florida is close behind with about 4000 people who once studied at UMaine. 

The Buchanan Alumni House on campus has a staff of nine people. The Alumni Association is a nonprofit organization separate from the UMaine System, making it one of 30 alumni organizations across the US unaffiliated with its institution. The association operates with an annual sum of $1.1 million. 

“We want you to know that we’re here. You may or may not realize it now, but you’re going to miss this place when you leave. So, it’s our job to keep reminding you about why you love it here,” said Paeco. “We look forward to keeping in touch with you now as students and as you go off into the world after you leave.”

Executive Reports:

Student Body President Michael Delorge spoke of making extensive revisions to each of the 10 executive job descriptions. Part of the process is to meet with all team members and modernize the summaries line by line for complete clarity. 

Delorge spoke with Advisor Lauri Sidelko and Coordinator for Student Involvement Brendan Trechel to convey UMSG’s intention to renew the eSports gaming arena contract. A survey will be sent out to gauge student interest and desire for the future of that space. 

Vice President Keegan Tripp was unable to attend GSS. Tripp’s report was read aloud by Kyle Ricker, who led the meeting in his absence. The Senate will welcome the second guest speaker of the semester on Feb. 27.

“Next week, CFO Kelly Sparks will be attending the senate meeting! Get excited to talk about the University budget and such,” wrote Tripp. 

Tripp also assured the senate that a club storage survey will be sent out by the end of this week to scale exactly how many groups need equipment space on campus.

Vice President for Student Organizations Julian Ober announced the club of the week: Woodsman Team. The group is co-ed and travels to competitions throughout the Northeast and Canada. Some events include crosscut, underhand chop, fire build and standing block.

Myles Moore, vice president for student entertainment, shared that a student-made short film festival will be held in the IMRC on March 28. Furthermore, the second show of the Maine event series is in the works and will take place during Spirit Week (April 22 to 26). 

Vice President for Student Leadership Jacob Chaplin notified the senate that there would be a Student Speaker Showcase on March 21. Individuals and groups are encouraged to sign up and present on a topic that they are passionate about. For example, participants may educate the audience about research projects, athletic organizations, clubs, etc. Those who wish to be considered must apply no later than March 1.

Chaplin is drafting a policy for the syllabus bank repository initiative. Also, he will be tabling at the Memorial Union on Feb. 23 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Periodic Reports:

Camden Olson, fair election practices commission chairman, reiterated that the student body vice presidential debate will be held on Feb. 26 at 101 Neville Hall, starting at 5 p.m. Funds from EBC may be transferred toward advertising the spring inauguration. Dean Dana will speak at the ceremony toward the end of the semester.  

Services Committee Chairman Beau Michaud mentioned that Wells Commons is being transformed into a retail hub, and its construction should be finished by summertime. Students cannot use meal swipes to make purchases at Wells. 

Hancock Hall, which is being converted to compensate for the housing removal at Estabrooke Hall, will have 16 single-use bathrooms and rooms similar to Estabrooke’s. 

Next fall, the UMaine System will conduct a housing study to map out the next few years. The purpose is to assess the state of each housing building to compare national trends with what students seek in a dormitory. Gannett, Cumberland and Somerset Halls will be renovated this summer as well.

Amanda Levesque, honors college student activities board representative, emphasized that the Maine Day meal packout raffle received over $600 worth of donated funds, much of which was courtesy of Dean Robert Dana. The Honors College surpassed its goal of being able to pack 50,000 meals. A ticket is one dollar, which is used to make three meals. 

Student Heritage Alliance Council (SHAC) Representative Jon Guzman shared that SHAC voted to induct the South Asian Association of Maine into its organization. They also voted to pass a letter in support of the Wilson Center’s proposal for a kitchen, signed off by Office of Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator Taylor Ashley and Guzman. SHAC is also advocating for Kosher and Halal dietary options on campus. 

New Business:

A resolution to amend the job descriptions of all 10 executive members was passed.

Nominations:

UMaine Security Representative: Sam Brown, Tim Burgartz, Cali Warren

Winner: Cali Warren

Executive Budgetary Committee: Memphis Peterson, Jordan Thompson, Tim Burgartz 

Winner: Jordan Thompson

02/13:

At 3:30 p.m., a property damage crash occurred at the New Balance Recreation Center parking lot. A driver struck another vehicle while reversing because his back camera was covered. Neither person involved was hurt. There were scuff marks on one of the bumpers.  

02/14:

Around 8 p.m., criminal mischief took place at Williams Hall. “IZZY ROT,” from previous graffiti reports at Fogler, has struck again. The vandal defaced multiple areas in the building, including the elevator and men’s bathroom stall. University of Maine Police Department (UMPD) previously assumed it to be the work of a commuter, but Williams Hall is not accessible to the public outside of class times. 

02/15:

At 10 a.m., an information complaint was reported from Buchanan Hall. An alumnus repeatedly contacted the building via phone about how they could better allocate funds. Employees in the building wanted the caller to be on UMPD’s radar in case he became aggressive. 

Around 3 p.m., a theft complaint was issued at Murray Hall. A female student left her laptop in room 106 of the building. Upon her return, the device was missing. It is likely that whoever has it removed the battery because the student cannot locate her property digitally. 

At about 3:30 p.m., criminal mischief occurred in the Shibles Hall men’s restroom. “IZZY ROT” was written in a triangle formation on the stall door. UMPD believes it is by the same person who vandalized Williams Hall one day prior. 

02/16:

Around 5 p.m., criminal mischief took place in Dunn Hall. The infamous “IZZY ROTZ” vandalized another bathroom stall with their usual catchphrase. Also, at this time, an Information complaint was made at the Memorial Union. Staff members were looking to terminate someone and wanted to ensure a controlled reaction from the former employee. 

At 11 p.m., an alcohol offense was reported from Penobscot Hall. A UMPD officer ran into a male student in the hallway who was holding an open container of alcohol. He was under 21 years of age, and he was referred to Student Conduct.

At about 11:30 p.m., Campus Eyes made an information complaint against the Theta Chi fraternity house on College Avenue. The fraternity was accused of furnishing an environment for underage people to consume alcohol. Chapter members went outside to clear things up with UMPD.

02/17:

At 1 a.m., an information complaint was issued outside of Androscoggin Hall. An individual was seen searching the recycling dumpsters for returnables. He was making his way around campus in a cart with headlamps. The trash dumpsters have “No Trespassing” signage, but recycling containers are technically free reign since UMaine Orono is a public campus. The rummager told UMPD that he had only one dumpster left to look through, and the officer allowed him to do so.

Around 1:30 a.m., damage to an exit sign was discovered in Oxford Hall.

At about 3 a.m., an alcohol offense was reported from Somerset Hall. Two underage students were caught drinking and referred to conduct.

Around 11:30 p.m., an information complaint was issued at Cumberland Hall regarding an odor of marijuana from one of the rooms. UMPD made conduct with the student responsible. 

02/18:

Around 3:30 a.m., an information complaint came through from Androscoggin Hall. Loud noises were disrupting residents. The source was a dorm room where several students were drinking alcohol underage. UMPD identified each of them. 

At 5 a.m., UMPD made an agency assist to the Orono Police Department. The officer on duty was dispatched to an act of disorderly conduct on College Avenue.

At about 11 p.m., a noise problem was reported anonymously at the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. UMPD arrived and could hear a light bass but deemed the music was not excessively loud. 

02/19:

At 7 a.m., there was a property damage crash on Rangeley Road. Two vehicles were involved, and both sustained damage.

Around 9 p.m., a theft complaint was issued from Hancock Hall. A male student doing laundry noticed one of his shirts was missing. UMPD will review security camera footage from the Hancock basement. 

The Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC) opposed a petition to mine for metal at Pickett Mountain, located within the Katahdin region. They came to an official verdict on Feb. 14 in consideration of the environmental threat the project would pose. Over 1,000 residents across the state, including Wabanaki tribal members, local business owners and conservationists, have protested against an initiative to rezone 374 acres of land north of Patten. 

Metallic mining is the extraction of underground ores, such as silver, iron, copper and lead. At an industrial scale, removing these minerals from the Earth is highly invasive and harmful to organisms at or around the digging location. 

If preventative measures are not taken, acidic waters and toxic gas emissions will spread unmanageably throughout the area. Mining pollution endangers the health of plants, animals and humans. Maine has the strictest mining regulations in the United States. Open-pit mining is prohibited in all state parks. 

Wolfden Resources Corporation submitted an application involving the development of a mine in close proximity to both Baxter State Park as well as Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. The nearby channels are inhabited by Brook Trout, a Maine State Heritage fish with waters protected by law. 

The Wolfden Resources website claims to have the means to conduct mining efforts without harming the environment. There is no evidence to verify the notion that the company is capable of mining without prompting ecological ramifications.  

“The proposed purpose of the D-PD rezoning is to allow for the construction, operation and reclamation of a state-of-the-art, small-footprint underground metallic mineral mine in a manner that is fully protective of the environment,” says Wolfden.

According to a press release by the Natural Resource Council of Maine (NRCM), Wolfden Resources has insufficient finances and, therefore, cannot access the technology needed to execute its proposed plan in an environmentally conscious manner. The company is also inexperienced, having never been granted permission to rezone in Maine. 

The corporation’s guarantee was disproved by resource specialists and mining experts. Streams, lakes and other waterways suffer chemical contamination as a direct result of mining pollution. Furthermore, excavation efforts would disrupt outdoor recreation, which is significant to the economy in Maine. 

Not only has the organization issued empty promises regarding pollution, but its CEO, Ron Little, has also made a series of fictitious public statements, the majority of which reference misconstrued mining regulations and illegitimate governmental approval. Little has also insulted the indigenous population in Maine, insinuating that they have no legal rights over the land. 

“As Indigenous people, we are keenly familiar with the process of being misled and lied to by corporations…We can see that any economic benefit of mining in Patten would be short-lived and far outweighed by the environmental consequences that would reverberate throughout the state,” Mali Obomsawin from Old Town told NRCM.

LUPC took all of these aspects into account to reach its final decision. Despite Wolfden’s assertion, the commission looked to state legislation and the conviction of concerned Mainers.

Important updates were given at the University of Maine Student Government (UMSG) meeting on Feb. 13. Estabrooke Hall renovations are seemingly set in stone. The guest speaker series line-up was announced and several student-serving initiatives are being enacted.

Executive reports:

Student Body President Michael Delorge attended the first mental health task force meeting over Zoom. Those involved plan to separate into teams to reach preset goals.  

Delorge, CFO Kelly Sparks, Dean Dana, Head of Auxiliary Services Dick Young and various senators convened on the afternoon of Feb. 13 to speak about Estabrook Hall and Sodexo.

According to Delorge, it is “likely a done deal” that Estabrook will no longer house students as the space will be converted into offices. Plans include renovating Hancock and Stodder Halls into dormitories with rooms similar to what is currently in Estabrooke. On-campus housing is at 90% capacity, and with the rearrangement of these building functions, students will not be pushed off campus.

“While there won’t be increased housing, there will be more new housing, which I think is an exciting development that we should all be talking about. There will be an official announcement about that shortly,” said Delorge.

Vice President Keegan Tripp shared that his approach to tackling the club storage issue is first to prioritize outdoor club equipment relocation. The pilot program will progress through multiple rounds. 

Tripp, along with Vice President for Student Organizations Julian Ober, is working with James Psalidas, director of student involvement, to condense the process of dual organization recognition. The initiative will make it easier for students to institute new clubs. 

“Myself, President Delorge, Dean Dana and President Ferrini-Mundy had a lovely lunch on Monday. We discussed how to further connect the president’s office with students,” said Tripp. “We discussed going forward with some joint town halls and office hours in the future. I am super optimistic about our relationship with admin that we’ve been building.” 

Tripp also mentioned uploading the weekly senate meetings to YouTube within the next few weeks. 

Tripp attended the first meeting of the Student Success Hub Task Force, co-chaired by Associate Provost Scott Marzilli and Dean of Libraries Daisy Singh. They are working to determine what a student success hub on campus would look like. 

The majority of Senate seats have been filled. However, 11 remain open across four departments. One seat is available in education, four in engineering, five in earth, life and health sciences, and one in business. Two other seats are available at large. Tripp said that UMSG currently has the highest number of senators since 2019.

The guest speaker series will be kicking off next week. Tom Peako, CEO of the UMaine Alumni Association, will be welcomed by the senate on Feb. 20. The speaker schedule for the remainder of the spring 2024 semester is as follows:

Feb. 27: Vice President for Finance and Chief Business Officer Kelly Sparks

March 5: CEO of UMaine Foundation Jeffrey Mills. He is also a former UMSG president

March 12: No senate

March 19: Vice President for Financial Affairs Paige Allen

March 27: Lieutenant William Flagg, UMaine police chief

April 2: No speaker that day

April 9: Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost John Volin

April 16: Board of Trustees Chair Trish Riley

April 23: In this final meeting of the academic year, Delorge will give a farewell address

Allen shared that she will meet with Tripp, the cheer club and the athletics department to create a more equal partnership in terms of competition funding. She and Tripp are also working with Vice President for Student Leadership Jacob Chaplin and an IT representative from Fogler Library to create a SharePoint site that can host a repository for the syllabus bank. 

Fair Election Practices Commission chairman Camden Olson has met with all the executive candidates. He plans to speak to club officers and Greek life affiliates about voting.

According to Orono Town Council Liaison Darrin Martone, Councilwoman Sonja Birthisel is seeking a student to join the hiring committee for town manager. 

Joshua Bohm mentioned a potential $1,000 allocation towards printing funds to support students at the Student Research Symposium who cannot receive funds from other routes. The total will cover fees for those who cannot pay for printer usage. The amount given per student will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Honors College Student Activity Board Representative Amanda Levesque announced that the Maine Day Meal Packout is almost entirely funded. Through requesting donations and holding fundraisers, as of now, the total amount allocated covers 47,000 meals. The last major fundraiser will be a raffle. 

Jacob Heartquist, Interfraternity Council Representative, stated that Phi Kappa Sigma is eligible to return on Jan. 21 of next year. 

Consent Agenda: 

This week’s consent agenda is composed of four financial acts. The first allocates $200 to the Flying Club and the second allocates $80 to the Black Student Union. The third act would allocate $450 to Fastpitch Softball and the fourth would allocate $830 to Orono Contra Dancing. The entire agenda was approved. 

New business:

The Black Student Union, in collaboration with the Caribbean and Latinx Student Alliance, requested funding for a Hair Care Fair, which will be held on March 2 in the Woolley Room of Doris Twitchell Allen Village. $3,450 is to compensate the hired braiders, $486 for barber payment and $920 for the braiding hair/supplies, all of which are split evenly. In 2023, about 20 people attended the event. The two organizations estimate 40 to 50 students this year based on the results of a survey. 

The Pickleball Club requested $550 to rent practice space at the Armstrong Tennis Center. The group was also seeking an allocation of $1,676 for their Virginia Regional Tournament on March 23 and 24. $200 will go toward registration and the remaining balance covers flights, hotels and transportation to the competition. 

Ober has completely revised and rewritten the UMSG job descriptions, previously limited to physical copies. 

Main Motion:

The International Student Association requested $1,000 for Feb. 24 festival costumes. 

The 20th Annual International Dance Festival will have a total of 60 performers. While the motion was passed, senators emphasized the importance of adhering to EBC guidelines when addressing UMSG to request financial assistance.

02/04:

At 2:30 a.m., criminal mischief was reported in Somerset Hall upon discovering four destroyed exit signs. There was also damage in the lobby and on three hall floors. 

About thirty minutes later, an alcohol offense occurred in the exact location. Two male students were caught drinking in a dorm room. One of them was over 21 years old and charged with furnishing a place for minors to consume. The underage individual was charged with possession. Both students involved were referred to conduct.

Around 3:30 p.m., the New Balance Recreation Center misdialed 911 from an employee’s cell phone. The same mistake happened again at 5:30 p.m., originating from the gym landline.

Around 10:30 p.m., the University of Maine Police Department (UMPD) made an agency assist to the Orono Fire Department, which was dispatched to York Hall. The caller was concerned about a strong odor of propane, which could have been caused by a CO2 leak. The source of the issue was not located. 

02/05:

At about 2 p.m., an anonymous caller reported an erratic vehicle speeding around campus. The driver was not identified. 

Just before 8:30 p.m., an information complaint was made in Cumberland Hall. An RA requested that a student threatening a fellow building resident be removed from the premises. 

Around 9:30 p.m., a wanted-out request was made from York Hall. UMPD made contact with a male student who graduated last semester. The alumnus attempted entry to the building using an old MaineCard and was let in by a current student. UMPD escorted him off campus.

02/06:

At 7:30 p.m., an information complaint was made near the Long Road gym parking lot. A student witnessed a car hit another car and drive off. The caller described each vehicle. No one involved in the incident called UMPD. 

Around 10:30 p.m., UMPD made an agency assist to the Orono Fire Department at Steward Quad regarding an unattended bonfire started by the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity.

02/07:

At 1:30 a.m., an intoxication complaint was made at Androscoggin Hall. There was limited information about the incident but members involved were referred to conduct.

At 8 a.m., an Orono policeman issued an information complaint about a male who must be escorted off campus. Allegedly, he was caught going through other peoples’ property in the Alfond Arena locker rooms and is considered a local burglar. 

Around 2:30 p.m., UMPD made an agency assist for the Orono Fire Department at Phi Gamma Delta because the house alarm was triggered. Officers made contact with the fraternity president. He was cooking and, in doing so, created a large amount of smoke, which set off the alarm. 

02/08:

At 9 p.m., an intoxication complaint was reported from Oxford Hall. Three students under the age of 21 were caught with alcohol and referred to conduct.

02/09:

At 2 p.m., an information complaint was called in from Wingate Hall. A male student was asking to be refunded for a bad transfer deposit. He attempted to do the same thing last year, which has become a fraudulent habit across multiple collegiate institutions. 

Around 4 p.m., a suspicious complaint occurred at the 1944 Hall Minsky Building about a male acting strangely. No one was located in connection to the complaint. 

At 4:30 p.m., a male student went to the UMPD station because an Old Town resident was dismissed from Allegiant Hall and blamed the student. He wanted to preemptively warn UMPD that this gentleman has the potential to be a source of harassment. 

Around 10 p.m., a property damage crash occurred near Family Housing. The driver turned onto University Park and a deer sprinted across the road and rammed into the side of his vehicle. A UMPD officer arrived and had to shoot the deer because its neck was broken, but was still breathing. The person who hit the animal ended up bringing its carcass home.

02/10: 

At midnight, criminal mischief was reported at Gannett Hall. Somebody opened the sanitizing liquid and emptied the container. They also threw toilet paper around the entire restroom. 

Around 2 a.m., an intoxication complaint was reported from Androscoggin Hall. The student was underage and refused University Volunteer Ambulance Corps (UVAC) transport. The student was referred to conduct.

At 9 p.m., a Campus Eyes complaint reported an individual at Androscoggin Hall who tended to run up and down the hallways while screaming. Though it does not occur every single day, the unknown person does this more often than not throughout the week.

02/11:

At 2 p.m., criminal mischief was reported from Hilltop. A parked vehicle was keyed in a way that seemed calculated. However, the victim claims they don’t know anyone who had a motive to do so. 

At 10 p.m., an information complaint was made at Somerset Hall. The caller came across several missing ceiling tiles and damaged exit signs.

02/12:

Just before 9 a.m., a series of car burglaries occurred on Connecticut Street at University Park.  Five or six cars were rummaged through. The thief took change and money but left expensive goods as they were. The thief must have entered through the woods via the bike trail.

At 9:30 a.m., an information complaint was made at Bennett Hall. A female student claimed that someone had unjustly unplugged her audio and video equipment. 

Around midnight, an information complaint came from Gannet Hall. A student thought their package was stolen. In reality, UPS took the box back to its facility.

At 9 p.m., an information complaint came through from the facility management grounds cold storage area located next to the UMPD station. One of the loaders was seen tampering with the lifting machine and apparently “moved everything around.”

At 9:30 p.m., criminal mischief took place outside of the Alfond Rink. A student witnessed a vehicle drive over a stop sign and, in doing so, ripped it out of the ground. The caller was unable to read the stop sign flattener’s plate number.

The University of Maine Ski and Snowboard Club is hosting a Rail Jam event from 3 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 23. Ramps and rails will be set up across the Orono Brewing Company (OBC) property for contestants to showcase their freestyle talents. Entry is free to spectators and $10 for those who wish to compete. 

The Ski and Snowboard Club is a group of winter sports enthusiasts who take weekend trips to Maine mountains, such as Sugarloaf and Sunday River. Recently, they went to Big Moose in Greenville for a beginner’s day. 15 to 20 students typically attend each trip. However, they have had upwards of 30 join in on the action. 

Lauren Gurney, vice president of the club, played a major role in its progression throughout the last few years. 

“Myself and Kyle Wogelius actually founded the ski club back in 2021,” said Gurney. “We created this club because UMaine lacked a community of skiers and snowboarders on campus, and we wanted to ensure that everyone had someone in the sport on campus, no matter what skill level of skiing or snowboarding they were!”

All proceeds from the event will go toward Maine Adaptive. The nonprofit organization offers athletic lessons to mentally or physically disabled children and adults looking to get active. Over 450 annual volunteers guide hundreds of participants through accessible and empowering programs. 

The wintertime sports include Alpine/Nordic skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing. In the summer, there are opportunities for cycling, golf, tennis, mountain biking and paddle boarding. Rock climbing is offered throughout both seasons. 

Maine Adaptive’s devoted team is committed to helping individuals participate in recreation without barriers. One example of such efforts is their implementation of a sit-ski device. The seat is made from carbon fiber and mounted on a ski with suspension components. 

“This year, we decided to raise money for Maine Adaptive to give back to the local Maine Community. We felt that the non-profit aligns heavily with our club in terms of getting people out there to enjoy the winter season through skiing and snowboarding,” Gurney said.

At the 2023 Rail Jam, there were approximately 50 competitors, some of whom traveled from Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The coordinators hope for a similar number of participants and an attendance of about 200 people in this community-wide event. They anticipate the UMaine hockey crowd will spend time at OBC preceding a 7 p.m. game against Northeastern University. 

A host will lead the tournament, which lasts an hour and a half. While everyone competes simultaneously, they are scored individually. Skiing is assessed in a section separate from snowboarding. Two or three judges will evaluate the informal technique of each contender and subsequently announce six winners. 

The first-place skier will win a pair of brand-new skis and the snowboarder’s prize is to be determined. Second and third-place winners in both categories are given a pair of PIT VIPER sunglasses, a Ski the East prize package or other assorted merchandise.

Food and drinks are available for purchase at OBC. There will also be raffles and vendors present. Most of the equipment is courtesy of Sugarloaf and members of its ski club will be tabling to show support. 

“I expect everyone who is going to the rail jam to bring the energy. This year’s rail jam is absolutely going to top last year’s and we’ve got a lot of prizes for everyone to win through the competition but also through giveaways and raffles,” said Gurney.

01/30:

Around 9:30 a.m., an information complaint was issued from the Collins Center for the Arts (CCA) parking lot. A witness reported that a driver had struck another vehicle and left the scene. A lieutenant on duty contacted the owner of the vehicle that was hit. No damage was found and the two individuals involved resolved the issue at the University of Maine Police Department (UMPD) station.

At 12:30 p.m., a harassment complaint was made at Fogler Library. An unknown male has allegedly been disturbing people since last November. He had left Fogler upon UMPD’s arrival, but they gained a photo of the suspect. He is accused of invading someone else’s space without saying anything and has not returned to Fogler since then.

Around 1 p.m., there was an information complaint regarding an accident on Rangeley Road, across from Talmar Woods. The driver was coughing, got dizzy and swerved off the road into a ditch. No injuries were sustained, nor was there any damage to the vehicle.

Around 10:30 p.m., UMPD made an agency assist for the Orono Fire Department. Two people were stuck in the elevator at the Alfond Memorial Gym. They were rescued shortly thereafter.

At 11 p.m., a  property damage crash occurred in the Hilltop parking lot. Two units were involved and no one was hurt. An accident report was filed.

01/31:

At 6 a.m., UMPD made an agency assist to the Orono Fire Department. A griddle fire was reported from Hilltop Commons. The grease fire was diminished upon arrival.

At 11:30 a.m., someone reported an animal problem in Oak Hall upon hearing incomprehensible animal noises. UMPD could not identify the source of the sound.

At 2:30 p.m., a property damage incident at the Rec Center parking lot was reported late. A student called in about their vehicle having been struck. It was deemed a fender bender and the drivers exchanged information. They concluded it was over $2,000 in damage and went to the UMPD station.

02/01:

Around 1 a.m., a suspicious complaint was issued from the York Village area. An off-campus student was found sleeping in a white van. UMPD informed the person that doing so is not permitted.

At 8:30 p.m., a threatening complaint was reported from Hancock Hall, where a female student was receiving harassing messages from her ex-boyfriend. She blocked him. UMPD contacted the ex-boyfriend, who was served a formal harassment notice at the police station.

Around 8 p.m., UMPD made a citizens assist at Somerset Hall. People were stuck in the elevator but were freed by the fire department. Also, at this time, UMPD assisted the Orono Fire Department in the Bear’s Den. The caller smelled propane, but nothing of the sort was discovered.

02/02:

At midnight., a welfare check was issued in Somerset Hall. A group of males were seen carrying another male up the stairs. None of them were located on any floors.

Around 11:30 p.m., an intoxication complaint was called from Oxford Hall. Two underage students were found drunk and referred to conduct.

02/03:

Around 2:30 a.m., drug use was discovered in Somerset Hall. A UMPD officer located a male student who smelled of marijuana during a walk through the building. He denied smoking but later claimed to have a medical card. The student was sent to conduct.

At 3 p.m., a theft complaint was made outside the Memorial Gym. A male student was accused of stealing a package from the UPS box. He attempted to put a package inside, but it was too big and got stuck. The student used a wooden device to retrieve the package and passersby assumed he was stealing.

Around noon, an intoxicated female was found vomiting in the women’s restroom on the second floor of Somerset Hall. She was unable to stand up and was not a UMaine student. UVAC was called and the female was trespassed off campus.

02/04:

At 2:30 a.m., a UMPD officer came across multiple damaged exit signs while completing rounds in Somerset Hall. There are no suspects at this time.

Around 3 a.m., there was an alcohol offense at Somerset Hall. Two underage males were found drinking and UMPD referred them to conduct.

At 6:30 p.m., a call was made in reference to harassment at Fogler Library on Jan. 30. The original caller saw the person again and he was identified by UMPD. The male student was told to be more mindful of people’s personal space.

On Feb. 6, three University of Maine organizations addressed the senate to speak on how GSS-granted funds were used, solutions to club storage issues are in the works, and equitable access is being established alongside the inclusive access resolution. 

Club Presentations:

Black Bear Catholic addressed the senate to present a slideshow about their experience at the  SEEK National Catholic Youth Conference. The club was able to bring 14 students to St. Louis, Missouri, from Jan. 1 to 5 and expressed gratitude for monetary support from UMSG. 

Mountain Bike Club had previously requested financial support for weekend trips and van trailer rentals. They competed at Sugarloaf in Maine and Thunder Mountain in Massachusetts. The club representatives thanked UMSG for allocating funds and said they made the Top 15 in Nationals.

Men’s Rugby took a trip to the NCR Division II East Regional Tournament in Reading, Pennsylvania, from Nov. 15 to 19. They used the $5,750 provided by UMSG to cover lodging and transportation. The group wants to increase financials independently from various fundraisers, campaigns, and alumni donations. 

Executive Reports:

Student Body President Michael Delorge announced that Senator Cynthia Shelmerdine, Fair Election Practices Commission Chairman Camden Olsen, Representative Olivia Britton, and himself will be meeting with the CFO and Dean Dana to discuss plans of renovating Estabrooke Hall from a dormitory into offices. Sodexo administration has also reached out and is seeking students’ opinions. Delorge also issued a special thanks to those who helped plan the concert on Feb. 2.

Student Body Vice President Keegan Tripp said he has followed up with Dean Dana regarding the Penobscot Flag Resolution. Tripp and Senator Beau Michaud met with Dean Graham, Director of Retail Operations, and Richard Young, Executive Director of Auxiliary Enterprises, about inclusive access.

“I also have a meeting with VPFA Allen and VPSO Ober on Friday regarding club storage. We are getting this project going… It’s going to be a long-term one, but I think it’s important. So, I am excited to have some updates for you next week,” said Tripp.

Vice President for Financial Affairs Paige Allen met with the cheerleading captain. They intend to talk with Athletics about allocating funds for the club from their department. That meeting will likely be scheduled for next Thursday. Allen also provided an update regarding the UMSG budget, 

“Projected and allocated, we have $62,840.90. The second activity fee for the spring semester will be coming in next week, with two returns to unallocated. One from Men’s Rugby for their Nationals and one from the Athletic Training Student Association from a conference that they went on,” said Allen.

Vice President for Student Organizations Julian Ober also spoke briefly about finding space on campus for club equipment. Similarly, she has access to all of the previous club items and is looking to return them to any revitalized clubs needing them.

Ober also announced the Club of the Week: Chase Your Pace. Though it is not yet recognized, she highlighted this group because it requires new members. This club was created for those interested in running with others at their own speed rather than competitively. 

The Vice President for Student Entertainment shared that 690 people went to Sammy Rae and the Friends, and 419 attendees were UMaine students. He also purchased movie tickets for Free Movie Wednesday at Black Bear Cinemas for the rest of the year. 

Vice President for Student Leadership Jacob Chaplin reported that a syllabus bank meeting with Fogler Library will take place on Feb. 7.

Periodic Reports:

The Board of Trustees (BoT) Student Representative took notes at the Jan. 29 BoT meeting, which can be accessed through the UMSG web page under Resources. 

Olsen will be meeting with candidates to explain the rules. He is searching for a location to hold the debate that is not the North Pod of the Union, since it is famously noisy. Election week commences on March 4. 

Chase Empsall will be sending out a survey regarding security concerns on campus.

Senator Michaud mentioned the possibility of a new bookstore initiative titled “Equitable Access,” wherein students have the opportunity to pay a $230 flat fee per semester for all of their books, as opposed to purchasing each one individually. Workshops will be held to gauge student input about the program. Some majors do not spend over $200 per semester, and those students can opt-out.

Lambda Chi Alpha and Phi Kappa Phi have recently been placed on suspension, meaning the two fraternities are not recognized by UMaine for the time being. 

The Student Heritage Alliance Committee will hold its second meeting tomorrow from 4-5 p.m. for an overview of the yearly budget and to discuss the formation of a cabinet committee. A president, vice president, treasurer, and faculty advisor will be appointed soon. 

Concert for a Cause donations raised $130 in addition to food and clothing donations. Wilde Stein will be hosting a Queer Trivia event at 4 p.m. on Feb 9 in the Multicultural Student Center (room 312).

An International Dance Festival is taking place on Feb. 24. Entry is free, and 20 performers from across all continents (besides Antarctica) will be welcomed.

New Business:

An act was passed to allocate $2,458.40 to the Maine Animal Club for their NESA Conference. $320 will be paid toward registration and $2,138.47 to cover hotel fees in Amherst, Massachusetts, from Feb. 24 to 25. 

An act to allocate $1,445 to the Society of Women Engineers for a conference in Baltimore, Maryland, was also passed. Of that sum, $575 will cover hotels, $750 will cover flights, and $120 will cover transportation. 

Nominations:

President Pro-tempore: Kyle Ricker, Senator

EBC: Shawn Jernigan, Senator

Mental Health Chair: Emery Clifford, Representative

Tripp announced his nomination in the upcoming presidential election.

“I am beyond excited to announce my candidacy for Student Body President. I am confident in my ticket, my campaign and am eager to earn the students’ vote this election season,” said Tripp. “Thank you, and best of luck to all of the candidates!” 

The University of Maine Board of Trustees provided an update at their meeting on Jan. 29 regarding the eight-year plan to cease fossil fuel exposure by 2030. An official resolution to do so was passed on May 23, 2022. The initiative is outlined by short-term action and long-term goals. 

Fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and gas, are the leading contributors to global climate change. The timeline of UMaine’s divestment process up to this point dates back over a decade. Since 2013, impact approaches have been discussed, and a complete divestment from coal was approved in 2015. 

The Manage Investment Pool (MIP), Operating Fund and Pension Fund are the three portfolios that allocate money to companies that produce fossil fuels. The total amount invested went from $13.8 million in 2016 to $6.7 million by the end of 2023. 

According to the chart provided by Kelly Regan on page 12 of the board’s meeting agenda, the first measurements revealed fossil fuel exposure to be approximately 2.5% on Jan. 31, 2016. The total decreased to 1.1% as of Dec. 31, 2023. 

“We’ve continually looked at asset allocation changes where we can improve our fossil fuel exposure. Moving from credit investments and fixed income to US treasury investments, when it makes sense, can reduce the fossil fuel exposure, and it has happened in a couple of these portfolios,” said Regan.

The most significant of the investment portfolios was a 70% basis point decline of the MIP from about 2% exposure in 2022 to about 1.3% 18 months later. 

The other two portfolios are more conservative-based, with the Pension Fund being reduced from 1.3% to 1% and the Operating Fund decreasing from 0.8% to 0.7% within that same time frame. 

“In terms of the next steps, an APC investment consultant will continue to work with the investment committee to find ways to reduce the fossil fuel exposure in the mutual funds and commingled funds,” said Regan.

The short-term goal to eliminate exposure from direct investments has been accomplished, and UMaine intends to continue working toward a complete withdrawal by 2030.