01/16:

At 9 a.m., a property damage crash took place beside Holmes Hall. Two vehicles were involved in the accident. One of the drivers complained of leg pain as a result but refused medical attention.

Around 1:30 p.m., a second property damage incident occurred at the Belgrade Spur. Two vehicles were involved, and no injuries were sustained. 

Around 8 p.m., a traffic offense was reported from the Collins Center for the Arts (CCA) lot. The driver connected a sled to their vehicle using rope and drove in circles with a person on the sled. 

01/17:

At about 2 a.m., Campus Eyes issued a noise complaint from Oxford Hall. Residents in the building were playing music at a high volume, but no one was found responsible. 

01/18:

At 8 a.m., theft was reported at the CCA parking lot. A female student discovered her Apple AirPods to be taken from the ground after falling out of her coat pocket. She attempted to track them but was unsuccessful because they were turned off. There are no suspects at this time. 

Around 11 a.m., an information complaint was filed from the Alfond Arena parking lot. An individual standing beside a green vehicle was allegedly acting suspiciously. No one was seen upon the University of Maine Police Department (UMPD) arrival.

01/19:

At about 9 a.m., UMPD made an agency assist to the South Portland Police Department to locate a University of Maine student. The student in question lives in the Orono area and needed to be questioned by the police in regard to a case in Portland. 

Around 6 p.m., a drug report was filed from Hart Hall. The complaint was of a marijuana smell in one of the halls. UMPD arrived on the scene but was unable to pinpoint its origin. 

01/20:

Just before 2 a.m., an intoxication complaint was called in from Somerset Hall. Two female students under 21 were located under the influence. UVAC was contacted for one of them. Neither student required transport, and both were sent to conduct. 

Around 2:30 a.m., another intoxication complaint was made from the same location. A male student below the age of 21 was found drinking alcohol and consequently referred to conduct.

At 1 p.m., a property damage crash occurred in the Hilltop parking lot. Two vehicles were involved and no injuries were sustained. 

01/21:

At 2:30 a.m., an alcohol offense was reported at Somerset Hall. The student was located with alcohol and referred to conduct for possession and consumption as a minor. 

01/22:

At 4 p.m., UMPD made an agency assist to the Orono Fire Department. Residents of Patch Hall noticed an odor of propane. An air sampler was used and nothing was detected. 

01/23:

At 11 a.m., an information complaint was filed by the New Balance Recreation Center. Property belonging to a student was located. UMPD contacted the person and they went to retrieve the item.

At 2 p.m., an information complaint was filed from behind a fraternity house on College Avenue. The caller witnessed potential students with a firearm but could not determine whether or not it was real. There are no suspects at this time.

Around 7 p.m., UMPD made an agency assist to the Orono Fire Department. Eight people were trapped in the elevator at Androscoggin Hall.

01/24:

At 1:30 p.m., criminal mischief occurred at Fogler Library. The report was of vandalism in the bathroom with the word “IZZY” written in graffiti-style.

At 2 p.m., there was an information complaint regarding the circulation of a fraudulent email about work solicitation.

01/25:

At 9 a.m., criminal mischief was reported from the Rec Center. The restroom was vandalized with “IZZY,” which was likely connected to the library graffiti. Also, at this time, a property damage crash was reported in the Belgrade parking lot. Two vehicles were involved, but no injuries were sustained. 

Around 11 a.m., a scam complaint was made from Somerset Hall. A fake flier from USM was advertising a remote student assistant job opportunity. UMPD contacted USM, and there was no such advertisement from the organization. 

01/26:

Around 6:30 p.m., a suspicious complaint was issued at Corbitt Hall regarding a suspicious male standing outside. UMPD located the individual, but he was simply a UMaine employee waiting for his wife. 

Around midnight, a suspicious complaint was reported from Deering Hall about a suspicious male. The individual was not located inside the building or around the area. Also, at this time, an Information complaint was made by a male student who stopped in the UMPD office. After being tired from walking for too long, he asked for a ride to his dormatory.

01/27:

At midnight, another information complaint was made at the UMPD office. A student was having issues with the parking staff. The issue was resolved.

At 1 a.m., an intoxication complaint was reported by the Alpha Sig fraternity house about an intoxicated person on College Avenue. A female student was found feeling unwell. UVAC arrived on the scene, and she was transported to the hospital. 

At 9:30 p.m., drugs were detected outside of Hilltop. A UMPD officer noticed the odor of marijuana and stopped his cruiser to investigate. A student was caught with a vape pen and marijuana pipe. They were referred to conduct, and the items were confiscated. 

01/29:

At 6:30 p.m., criminal mischief occurred in Fogler. The Palestinian flag was painted outside the library, though no one had been authorized to do so. By the time UMPD arrived on the scene, facilities had already removed the paint. 

At 10 p.m., an information complaint was reported from Knox Hall regarding a strong odor of marijuana. UMPD checked every floor but was unable to pinpoint the source.

01/30:

Around 9:30 a.m., a property damage crash occurred in the CCA parking lot. Two vehicles were involved.

The General Student Senate (GSS) was called to order on Jan. 30. New and returning members filled 20 positions. Three clubs were granted preliminary recognition, executives provided updates and senator votes were cast for the internal UMaine Student Government Election. 

Club Maintenance:

Pickleball Club addressed the Senate seeking final recognition. The organization has maintained a 15-student attendance average per practice, held twice weekly. It is an official club sport, working toward tier four. The motion passed.

The Student Portfolio Investment Fund was also seeking final recognition. It was established by the UMaine Foundation in 1993 and has 70 current members. The motion passed.

Health Professions was the third club seeking final recognition. They have 150 members on the email list and 15-30 people in attendance per meeting. The motion passed.

Executive Reports:

Student Body President Michael Delorge mentioned that the Maine Event Series will kick off on Feb. 2, with a performance by Sammy Rae and The Friends. The concert will be held at the Collins Center for the Arts (CCA). Tickets are free to undergraduate students, courtesy of the UMSG Entertainment Division and available at the CCA Box Office. 

Delorge was nominated to serve on the mental health task force. 

“This task force will be able to accomplish student primary goals of identifying mental health challenges on campus by students, faculty and staff. Also creating a framework to address these challenges and give recognition to members of the administration,” said Delorge. 

Delorge met with Vice President for Financial Affairs Paige Allen, Vice President for Student Entertainment Myles Moore and Attorney Sean O’Mara to discuss the Esports arena in room 131 of the Memorial Union. GSS began funding space in March 2021. The financial agreement expires on March 2. 

Student Government has the option to resign and continue maintaining the equipment, relinquish those obligations or resign and modify the agreement. There will also be discourse about hosting events and creating a survey for frequent users to gauge what else is desired from the space. 

Student Body Vice President Keegan Tripp reported that he is working alongside Advisor Lauri Sidelko to solve the club storage crisis on campus. Addressing the issue will be pursued with the help of Allen and Julian Ober, vice president of student organizations.

“I am meeting with Senator Michaud and the bookstore executives on Thursday to finally follow up on the inclusive access resolution,” said Tripp. “Next week, I will be able to give more of an update on that.”

Tripp also shared that he is continuing to work on locking down guest speakers and intends to begin the series next week. 

Allen noted that Sean O’Mara’s contract with UMSG is almost up. There will be a preliminary conversation to approve his new agreement. An initiative to allocate funds as needed for those who cannot pay club sports dues was also touched upon. 

Ober has chosen to reinstate Club of the Week, the first of this semester being Dungeons and Dragons. It is currently the biggest club on campus. They are a welcoming and inclusive community with a supportive environment for new and seasoned players.

Vice President for Student Leadership Jacob Chaplin has an upcoming meeting with Allen and the head of IT at Fogler Library to discuss the logistics of implementing a syllabus repository. From March to November, Chaplin and Ober will meet with the Orono Town Council to advocate for an election-day change.

New Business:

An act to allocate $ 6,800 to Cheerleading was brought to the senate. $3800 would be put toward hotel fees and $3000 for NCA Collegiate Nationals admission. 19 athletes will compete from April 9 to 14 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Those funds were granted. 

Election Results: 

Faculty Senate Student Representative: Kate Kemper

Kemper’s role is to serve as representative of the Undergraduate Student Body and UMSG to the Faculty Senate by attending their public meetings (may debate on behalf of students).

Legal Services: Senator Neil Rockey

Rockey is responsible for providing regular (bi-weekly or monthly) updates on Sean O’Mara’s usage and helping to advertise his services.

Representative to the Graduate Student Senate: Meredyth Waters

This position connects our Undergraduate Student Government to the Graduate Student Government, specifically their Senate.

Orono Town and Old Town City Council Liaison: Darrin Martone

These roles act as a conduit for student voices to town officials. Martone will attend both monthly meetings and report back to the general Senate on any issues that may be relevant to the student body.

Representative to the Military and Veterans Student Affairs: Cynthia Shelmerdine

Shelmerdine is responsible for being a bridge between UMSG and the ROTC/Veterans affairs services on campus. 

Security representative: Chase Empsall

Through this position, Senators can attend bi-monthly meetings in which security funding on campus is discussed and allocated, providing a student voice during these discussions. 

Center for Undergraduate Research: Joshua Bohm

This position serves as the bridge between UMSG and the Center for Undergraduate Research.

Membership Chair: Nate Feng

Feng is responsible for the weekly catering at our Senate meetings, the “Senate Retreat and working with VPSL to ensure the senate binders are up to date and have all needed information

Policy and Procedure: Memphis Peterson 

This position and committee is responsible for all matters of policy and procedure within UMSG including reviewing and revising Senate resolutions, changing or improving our existing governing documents, and creating and structuring new Senate positions. 

Political Activism: Hayden Buzzell

This position and committee is responsible for educating students on relevant, non-partisan political issues and the promotion of political involvement among UMaine undergraduate students. 

Services: Beau Michaud

Michaud will act as a bridge between UMSG and the various services on campus.

Academic Affairs: Meredyth Waters 

This committee was established to liaison between students and administrators about academic issues that students are facing.

Undergraduate Student Symposium: Joshua Bohm 

Bohm will work to ensure student voices are heard in the planning of the Undergraduate Student Research Symposium.

Food and Dining: Nate Feng

Feng’s role is to raise student issues regarding food and dining on campus,as well as work with the dining halls and Sodexo to improve service.

Student Organizations Committee: Ethan Crawford, Elizabeth Oldfield, Cynthia Shelmerdine and Jordan Thompson 

Executive Budgetary Committee: Joshua Baum, Chase Empsall, Tristan Friend and Kate Kemper

Leaders of the General Student Senate convened on Jan. 23 for the first in-person meeting of the spring 2024 semester. Members provided information regarding the upcoming Board of Trustees meeting, seat nominations and various committee initiatives. 

Executive Reports:

The Board of Trustees will be accepting two student representatives. Student Body President Michael Delorge is in the process of interviewing candidates to be appointed by the Senate. Once the prospective students are chosen, their names will be submitted to the board for review. From there, the governor’s office will need to give their approval. 

Currently, Andrew Bement is the main nominee for the undergraduate position, and Nancy Flagg for the graduate position. They are in the final stages of being confirmed. The next Board of Trustees meeting will be held on campus on Jan. 29 at 8 a.m. in room 2 of the Wells Conference Center. 

Delorge also informed the senate that a welcome letter can now be accessed via the newly revised UMSG website. 

Vice President Keegan Tripp announced that the UMSG handbook is officially complete. He also mentioned that the adoption resolution for inclusive access is currently underway. The Penobscot Flag resolution is still in the process of being enacted. 

“I am working on lining up some more guest speakers this semester. So far, I have a few. Mainly, Kelly Sparks, the CFO, who will be coming in to talk about the university’s budget,” said Tripp. “As well as Jeffry Mills, the UMaine foundation president and CEO, as well as former UMSG President.” 

Vice President for Student Organizations Julian Ober seeks four senators to be nominated to the Student Organization Committee. She also shared that the Club Handbook is nearly finalized and will be printed on Jan. 26. The purpose is to detail processes and clear confusion. Similarly, a binder for representatives and committee associations is being established.

Myles Moore, the Vice President for Student Entertainment, announced that there will be a concert event on Jan. 26 and that tickets can be purchased via QR code or box office. He will also be tabling on Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to noon. Also, 500 tickets have been ordered from Black Bear Cinemas for Free Movie Wednesday. Last week, 330 people were in attendance. 

Advisor to Student Government Lauri Sidelko drew attention to a change of the local election date to March by the Orono Town Council. Since it is being held during UMaine’s spring break, many residents may be unable to participate. The decision contributes to the disenfranchisement of the university student body. She also emphasized the importance of guiding new students in the right direction.

“I have seen a lot of students in the past week that just need some help with knowing where to go, or what to do if they’re a transfer student. They don’t know the routine around here. As student leaders, if you see someone who looks like they might be confused, ask if you can help. That’s what we do as Black Bears,” Sidelko said. 

Reports of Special Committees:

Food and Dining Affairs Committee Chair Nate Feng pointed out that Hilltop Dining has returned to self-serve meals besides the burger bar. Per request, signs now indicate students look at food options using the screen above each serving area. 

Feng will be addressing concerns about the sandwich bar removal, portion sizes at York Dining, and incorrect nutritional information being displayed on menus at his next bi-weekly meeting with the Sodexo heads. 

New Business:

The Senate passed an act to modify the Fair Election Practices Commission guidelines.

An act to adopt the UMSG election timetable for 2024 was also passed. It calls for nomination form availability on Jan. 24 and for the campaign period to begin on Jan. 31. On Feb. 26, a formal debate will be held between candidates. Election week will occur from March 4 to 8. The winners will be announced on the final day of this election week. Lastly, the inauguration will take place in mid-April. 

Lastly, the Senate passed an act to adopt the UMSG student organization handbook for distribution to student clubs and organizations. It will be given to club leads throughout the preliminary recognition process. The handbook is also available online and at the UMSG office in the Memorial Union.

A concert will be held on Jan. 27 at the IMRC Center in Stewart Commons. Local bands Noise Candy and Free Parking are performing from 6 to 8 p.m. Entry is free and for UMaine students. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) organized the event in collaboration with the Center for Student Involvement (CSI), UMaine Residence Life and WMEB 91.9 FM. 

The on-campus venue is able to accommodate up to 300 people. Those in attendance are encouraged to bring clothing and/or non-perishable food to donate. The UMaine Feminist Collective is arranging the item drives. 

Several nonprofit organizations will be showcased at the concert. Advocates of Food and Medicine, Needlepoint Sanctuary, Black Bear Mutual Aid and the Wilson Center will be tabling. During the concert, students will have an opportunity to connect with members of each nonprofit to learn about their efforts and how to participate. 

Kalina Chasin-Knox, an ODI student lead, developed the concept of this event and helped bring it to fruition. Coordinator for Diversity and Inclusion Taylor Ashley and Coordinator for Student Involvement Brendan Trachsel also played a major role in making the concert appealing and accessible. They hope for a good turnout and that students feel informed about what the community service programs offer. 

“We’ve decided to let the organizations speak for themselves and share their mission. The call to action is showing folks how they can get involved,” said Ashley.  

If you plan to enjoy the live music and support these nonprofits, be sure to check in on Campus Groups. Concert for a Cause will be the first event to kick off ODI and CSI’s Social Justice Saturday program. Next up, is the Defamation Experience on Feb. 10 from noon to 3:30 p.m. 

“Courts of Belonging,” a 10-minute short film directed by Santiago Tijerina, features Kennedy Park Football Club (KPFC) and its access to a soccer-dedicated court in Portland.

Residents of East Bayside with unique backgrounds can establish meaningful connections through a shared interest in the sport. A singular commonality has the potential to form deep friendships in the face of language barriers and differing experiences in America.

“A sport as simple as soccer has the power to really make someone feel like they belong here, Tijerina said. “That this is a place where they’re welcome, their home away from home. So, it’s not just a sport… It’s bigger than that. It’s this global tool for peacebuilding, community building.”

In 2023, Tijerina graduated from the University of Maine Honors College. His efforts as Narrative Content Coordinator at the Greater Portland Immigrant Welcome Center (GPIWC) are based on short and long-term projects.

Tijerina is working on a bi-weekly podcast about GPIWC and its community efforts. He also plans to release a bi-weekly short film series about immigrant-owned restaurants in Portland. His long-term project is producing a forty-minute version of the documentary. The extended cut of “Courts of Belonging” is currently in the pre-production stage with GPIWC as its fiscal sponsor.

“The reason I found myself there was because I relate to a lot of them. I am a first-gen American. My parents immigrated from Colombia. For me, making friends has always been in the international community,” Tijerina said.

KPFC in Portland was co-founded by Jon Cross and Hany Ramadan. The organization focuses mainly on the immigrant community and helps youth soccer players become leaders. Members from all walks of life interact with one another through a universal soccer identity.

Futsal, also known as “indoor football,” is a version of soccer played on a lined hardcourt. In 2021, a futsal court was built at the heart of Portland in East Bayside, the most diverse neighborhood in Maine.

“That court has so many people from many different countries, and some speak English better than others. So they help each other, they support each other. A lot of them go to the same schools, so they form that bond and friendship,” said Tijerina.

The documentary opens with a comparison to Anthony Bourdain’s description of the dinner table as a place where people in opposition to one another find common ground. According to Cross, a soccer ball shares the same function as a “great leveler.”

From there, “Courts of Belonging” provides clips of the players in action, drone footage courtesy of Liiban Adaan and the first-hand accounts of two current teammates.

Biken Gurung has been a player at Kennedy Park for three years. In the film, he emphasized his passion for the game and its strong sense of camaraderie.

“Meeting new people, sharing experiences, making friends, especially when you’re all the way from Nepal, all the way from Asia, everyone is welcoming. So, that’s the best part,” said Gurung.

Eliezer Simao also described his experience of immigrating to Maine and finding a place in the Kennedy Park community.

“I think that a lot of people resonated with the final interviewee, Eliezer from Angola. The fact that he knew about this place even before coming to the US. The power that this court has. A lot of people enjoyed that,” Tijerina said.

Another contributor to “Courts of Belonging” is Assistant Director Anthony Fiori. He has been engaged with the community since before the court was built. Fiori helped with the interviewing process, release forms and obtaining parental permission.

“The court has a culture of its own, one that has formed organically from friends and strangers of all backgrounds coming together and figuring out rules, values, and acceptable behaviors, all without the guidance of a higher authority,” said Fiori. “The result has been the creation of a culture where people, regardless of their age, skill, gender, race, nationality, etc., are welcomed, respected, and able to find an inclusive community centered around this beautiful game.”

Soccer can be considered a retention tool. Portland’s investment in the sport has paid off in regard to civic engagement. Kennedy Park Pickup, men’s and women’s league teams and locals frequently use the futsal court. Anyone who enjoys soccer can go there and form close bonds regardless of cultural differences.

“Soccer is sort of a universal language, if you will. Your personality is displayed on the court or on a field with a soccer ball. You can really tell who people are just based on how they play and how they react. In that sense, they’re speaking a common language,” said Tijerina.

Tijerina underlined the importance of being ethical in representing subjects to the public. Stories are shared most accurately when a researcher is immersed in the community they speak on behalf of, and doing so establishes familiarity and trust.

“My big belief as a documentary filmmaker is that if you’re going to tell a story about a community, you should be a part of that community before telling their story. I’ve been living in Portland for six months, and I didn’t start filming until after five months… I was in that community. Everyone knew me. We were all friends,” Tijerina said.

Those interested in the extended film or seeing how they can help should contact Santiago at santiago.tijerina@maine.edu. Questions can also be directed toward the GPIWC via  info@welcomeimmigrant.org.

The General Student Senate (GSS) gathered on Dec. 5 for their last assembly of the fall 2023 semester. During the meeting, University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy visited the GSS, Student Leader Scholarship winners were announced and motions of funding were passed for seven clubs and organizations. 

Club Maintenance:

Thrive is an organization on campus composed of various Christian groups. Its primary focus is on experiential learning. Currently, they have 12 members and do not anticipate a need for funding in the future. Affiliates of Thrive addressed the senate, seeking preliminary recognition, and it was granted. 

Warhammer Club is a special interest organization. The students enjoy participating in the tabletop game, similar to Magic the Gathering. They currently have ten consistent members, with about 20 in total. Ian Reid requested preliminary recognition on the club’s behalf. He mentioned that Warhammer Club may request between $100 and $200 of funding per semester to collect game pieces. The club was granted the recognition. 

Scholarship Announcements:

Vice President for Student Leadership Jacob Chaplin introduced five accomplished Student Leader Scholarship recipients. There were over 100 applications taken into consideration for this award, which exceeds the number of submissions received in the previous three years combined. 

“This is an annual scholarship we have been running since 2003, and this year, we were able to award five scholarships. These individuals are chosen based on their merit as undergraduate student leaders…The applications were first narrowed down to about 30 that Cabinet then worked diligently through to select these five recipients,” said Chaplin.

The first was the Maine state officer for the National Student Speech Hearing and Language Association, Elizabeth Walker. President of the Black Bear Beekeepers Kalina Kinyon and Josh Watson, a fourth-year ROTC member, were also recipients. The fourth winner was the President of All Maine Women and Vice President of the Senior Class Council, Abby Cadorette. The final winner was Balance Man Scholarship President and President of SigEp John McLaughlin. 

Guest Speaker: 

The senate welcomed Ferrini-Mundy to say a few words and share a slideshow about leadership. 

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to first congratulate you for the great work you do as members of this body, for the extraordinary professional approach that you take to this work. I’ve never visited one of these meetings, and I am thrilled to be here. It could be a model for many other kinds of meetings that we have on the campus,” Ferrini-Mundy said. 

She expressed how it is imperative for the leaders of any institution to engage themselves in a wide range of topics. For example, Ferrini-Mundy referenced her personal learning pursuits in current subjects, such as the impact of climate change in Maine and the effect of artificial intelligence on higher education and construction projects on campus. 

“I hope you find this notion of constantly needing to learn something rewarding and fulfilling and that you can find ways here, as students at the University of Maine, to make that a part of what you do. It just keeps going. At least, that’s what I’ve found, and when it stops is when I’ve found myself discouraged,” said Ferrini-Mundy.

Executive Reports:

Student Body President Michael Delorge reported a series of updates. Delorge joined with Board of Trustees Chair Trish Riley to discuss different measures for increasing student connection to the board and its decision-making process. The next two meetings will be held on campus and covered by The Maine Campus Newspaper. 

Delorge also announced that after meeting with Dr. Ferrini-Mundy’s Chief of Staff Diane Dunn, it was decided that student symposium funding will not need to be taken from the student activity fee this spring. 

Delorge also went through several successes of the student senate throughout this semester. Tier funding has been adjusted for club sports, and more information about the Maine event concert series will soon be released. Furthermore, the UMSG weekly newsletter, which is sent via email, receives about 5,000 to 6,000 opens by students each week. The GSS senator election period has been extended from one day to five. Also, money has been put forth to restore the swingset on campus. 

Vice President Keegan Tripp produced a final draft of the UMSG handbook to be distributed across the senate and to various organization leaders to educate new members and provide governmental clarity throughout UMaine.

A resolution sent out on behalf of the Senate encourages UMaine to display the Penobscot Nation flag indefinitely. As of now, it is only raised one day throughout the entire academic year. 

“In our meeting earlier today with the President Chief of Staff Diane Dunn, she asked to set up a meeting with myself, Representative [Jon] Guzman and Senator [Meredyth] Waters to discuss the next steps for the Penobscot flag resolution. I will be reaching out to those individuals to get that going,” said Tripp.

Tripp also reminded that as of adjournment, all senate seats fall vacant. GSS members must fill out their papers again to be re-elected. Students seeking involvement can contact Jacob Chaplin (jacob.chaplin@maine.edu) for more information. Chairships and committee assignments are also open until the election, which will be held on Jan. 23. Applications are available in the UMSG offices at the Wade Center of the Memorial Union.

“My personal goal is to make sure that next semester, our executive team is ready to take on another year of advocacy and getting things done, such as the stuff we’ve done this year. That effort starts now, and that starts with you guys,” Tripp said.

UMaine Board of Trustees Student Representative Ben Doherty shared he will be stepping down from the position. He also announced that undergraduate student Andrew Bennet will be appointed to the board as a member for a two-year term, with Haden Buzzell as the alternate. Nolan Merz will be assuming the graduate student membership position. 

New Business:

Franco-American Resource Opportunity Group requested $1,500 to cover hotel fees for their trip to Montreal on Feb. 16. The motion passed. 

Black Bear Catholic requested $5,000 be allocated toward registration, hotel and airfare costs for members to attend SEEK 24, a fellowship of Catholic university students conference, on Jan. 1-5. The motion passed. 

Nursing International requested $9,500 to access travel visas, insurance and airfare for volunteer efforts in Tanzania, Africa, from May 7 until May 21. The motion passed.

3D Printing Club requested $1,994.22 to purchase a V-Core 3.1 3D printer and rot-rig enclosure. The motion passed.

Men’s Club Ice Hockey requested $3,375 be allocated towards practice ice fees, home game fees and ice time at Alfond Arena for the 2024 spring semester. Similarly, Club Figure Skating requested $3,450 for ice time and club practices at the arena to pay for 30 hours worth of time at the rink. Both motions passed. 

Finally, the UMSG Student Leadership Division requested $2,235 for merchandise, including phone wallets, stadium cups, ice scrapers and grocery tote bags to advertise GSS and recruit new members in the spring 2023 semester. The motion passed.

The University of Maine Board of Trustees and Chancellor Dannel Malloy announced today that victims of the Lewiston shooting and families of the deceased now have the opportunity to attend the public universities of Maine for free. 

Per the request of Gov. Janet Mills, a scholarship fund established through the University of Maine system will waive tuition for anyone directly impacted by the Oct. 25 mass-casualty event, which took the lives of 18 citizens in Lewiston and injured several others. 

According to UMS News, “Those eligible include spouses and biological, adopted and step children of the 18 individuals who were killed, as well as the 31 Mainers who sustained physical injuries connected to the shootings.”

Trauma can have a detrimental effect on financial stability and education. UMaine is ensuring that the people who were personally afflicted by the recent tragedy have no monetary barriers in their pursuit of higher education. 

The UMaine foundation has established a Lewiston Strong Scholarship Fund, which accepts donations digitally or via mail to 2 Alumni Place, Orono, ME 04469-5792. These donations will be put towards the cost of room, board and books for applicants accepted under the program. 

10/11: 

Around 8 a.m., an information complaint was made to the University of Maine Police Department (UMPD), resulting in a protection order between two students.  

At 1:30 p.m., another information complaint was reported from the Mall. A male student was offered a bible by another student and declined the offer. The individual responded with the phrase, “I’ll see you later.”

Around 11 p.m., criminal mischief was reported from Somerset Hall. The men’s bathroom was vandalized, leaving a broken door and damaged floor tiles. There are currently no suspects.

At 11:30 p.m., there was an alcohol offense in Somerset Hall. An underage female student was located under the influence in the hallway and sent to conduct.

10/12: 

Around 2 p.m., there was an information complaint on campus about blackmail. A student was being trolled on social media for inappropriate photos.

10/13: 

At 9:30 a.m., Campus Eyes filed an information complaint. It was an alcohol violation involving underage drinking and partying with high schoolers.

Around noon, another information complaint was reported from the New Balance Recreation Center. The individual noticed their vehicle had been keyed at the Hilltop parking lot.

Around 1 p.m., there was a harassment complaint at Patch Hall harassment. A female student was being bothered by her ex-boyfriend and his mother via social media. 

At 5 p.m., disorderly conduct was reported from Fogler Library. The caller witnessed a male wearing a hoodie who was acting intoxicated.

Around 10 p.m., a wanted-out request was issued from the Memorial Union when a male criminal trespassed on campus.

10/14: 

At 10:30 a.m., an alcohol offense occurred in the Dunn Hall parking lot. An underage student was tailgating. UMPD asked the individual to leave, and they were sent to conduct.

At 11:30 a.m., another student was removed from the tailgate lot for not being 21.

Around 1 p.m., a suspicious complaint was made from Dunn Hall upon witnessing 12-15 people in the building. The group was told the building was closed when trying to use the restroom.

At 6 p.m., UMPD assisted the Holden Police Department. A resident called when their wife did not come back from the UMaine hockey game. The elderly female did eventually return home. 

Around 11 p.m., a wanted-out request was made at the Alpha Sigma fraternity house. UMPD arrived on the scene and escorted two alumni off the property.

10/15:

Around 4 p.m., UMPD assisted the Old Town Police Department regarding a vehicle location on campus. It was not found.

Around 7 p.m., Campus Eyes issued an information complaint from an anonymous report. It was related to hazing and underage drinking.

Around 8 p.m., Campus Eyes also reported the smell of marijuana on the second floor of Androscoggin Hall.

10/16:

Around 7 a.m., there was a burglary outside of Hilltop. A cup full of change was stolen from the inside of a motor vehicle.

Around midnight, someone from the Children’s Center called to ask if fraternities were allowed to park a camper on the property.

At 3:30 p.m., UMPD had an agency assist the Orono Fire Department when something was put in a microwave that should not have been at Hilltop.

10/17:

At 1 p.m., a female in Cumberland Hall reported that a photo of her sleeping had been taken and distributed without consent. 

Around 5:30 p.m., a traffic offense occurred on College Ave. The driver was issued a summons for operating without a license.

Around 8:30 p.m., Campus Eyes reported that somebody was using marijuana near Somerset Hall. 

At 9 p.m., UMPD made an agency assist the Orono Fire Department. An individual was trapped in the elevator at Somerset Hall.

10/18:

Around 7 a.m., disorderly conduct was reported by staff at the New Balance Recreation Center. A portion of the parking lot was blocked off.

Also, at 7 a.m., there was an information complaint at Androscoggin Hall. A gas-powered bicycle was found inside the building and smelled of fuel, which is prohibited.

At 10 a.m., an information complaint was made from the New Balance Field House. A male was spotted walking on the bike trail with a black ski mask on. UMPD has not been able to identify him, but he has been seen frequently, making others uneasy.

Around 3 p.m. on Rangeley Road, there was a property damage accident at the intersection.

Around 3:30 p.m., a car crash occurred on Hilltop Road. A parked car was backed into.

Around 7:30 p.m., a bike theft report was made from Estabrooke Hall. There are currently no suspects.

Around 8 p.m., UMPD assisted the Orono Fire Department. Someone was stuck in the Somerset elevator.

At 11 p.m., an information complaint came from York Hall regarding threats of blackmail and naked photo requests. The victim blocked and reported them. No incidents have occurred since then. 

10/19:

Nothing to report. 

10/20:

At 1 a.m., disorderly conduct was reported from the Oxford Quad. Students and guests were seen drinking. The students were referred to conduct, and the guests were removed from campus.

At 6 a.m., UMPD assisted the Orono Police Department with a home invasion, which turned out to be drug-related.

At 9 a.m., a communications complaint was made by Tau Kappa Epsilon. An individual from Old Town continuously called the house, and Old Town PD issued a harassment notice.

Around 1 p.m., criminal mischief took place in Cumberland Hall. A female student had parked and returned to find it covered in detergent granules. There was no damage, and she washed it off.

At 3 p.m., a scam call was reported when the Lown House received an email stating if they send $25, they’ll receive $25,000 in return. 

Around 5 p.m., criminal mischief occurred at Somerset Hall. Multiple exit signs were damaged.

10:21:

Around 1:30 a.m., UMPD made an OUI stop on Munson Road. The driver was charged.

Around 7:30 a.m., criminal mischief was reported in Somerset Hall when five exit signs were damaged.

Around 8 a.m., an information complaint was made from the Howard A. Keyo Public Affairs Building. The caller heard what they thought was an airsoft gun going off. There was no vehicle or suspect description. 

At noon, UMPD assisted the Orono Fire Department in Somerset Hall when a person was trapped in the elevator.

Around 2 p.m., an information complaint was reported from the CCA parking lot when a suspicious person in a red hoodie was spotted. UMPD did not locate them. 

Around 10:30 p.m., a report from Cumberland Hall alleged that a student might have a firearm, but they did not.

At 11:30 p.m., there was an accident near the Astronomy Center. An individual’s parked vehicle in the Hilltop parking lot was dented.

10:22:

At 2 a.m., a theft complaint was reported from Phi Eta Kappa regarding a missing black Under Armor book bag. There are no suspects at this time. 

10:23:

Around 2:30 p.m., a male student’s vehicle was struck by a Kiwibot on Gannett Road. The damage was a couple of scuff marks.

Around 3 p.m. at Mahoney Diamond Field, an individual was spotted riding a bike with two jackets on. He was in the area to pick up cans and bottles in return for transient checks.

Around 6 p.m., an information complaint was made when a swim team member received anonymous harassing Instagram messages. They blocked the handle and have not received any more messages. 

At 7:30 p.m., an individual noticed an empty fire extinguisher in Cumberland Hall.

10/25:

At 11 a.m., there was a criminal trespass notice at Patch Hall.

At noon, an accident occurred near Cumberland Hall. A female’s vehicle was struck overnight while parked.

At 2 p.m., there was a theft complaint from Bennett Hall. A student was missing their book bag with an air tag that would not ping.

Around 2:30 p.m., Lambda Chi Alpha reported criminal mischief regarding a BMW that was keyed at some point over the last few days.

At 5:30 p.m., a wanted-out was issued at Patch Hall and considered a criminal trespass. 

At 8 p.m., a scam was reported in Stodder Hall. The email asked for $2,300 in return for $5,000. 

10/26:

At 5 a.m., it was reported that all the showers in Androscoggin Hall were left running, and stall doors were damaged. 

At 10 a.m., a communication complaint was reported from the Chandler House. Messages were received from an unknown number, all in gibberish.

Around 4 p.m., an information complaint was reported regarding a person with an orange vest dressed in camoflauge at University Park. 

Around 8:30 p.m., UMPD assisted state police in Spanish translation on I-95. 

10/27:

At 3 a.m., criminal mischief took place at Oxford Hall. Doors and bathroom signs were torn off on the second and third floors. 

At 8 p.m., an information complaint was reported at Cumberland Hall. There were issues between two roommates, and the University is on the case.

At 10 p.m., a wanted-out request was issued at Fogler Library. A female refused to leave despite staff orders, but she left before officers arrived on the scene. 

At 10 p.m., criminal mischief occurred at Hilltop. Several vehicles were left with scratches and dents in a row.

Around 11:30 p.m., there was a wanted-out request at Lambda Chi Alpha, as people in the house refused to leave. There was also an alcohol offense at College Avenue. The student under 21 years old was submitted to conduct.

At this same time, an intoxicated female was located in Oxford Hallway. UVAC checked her out, refused transport, and was referred to conduct.

Around midnight, an intoxication complaint came from Lambda Chi Alpha when a female who seemed intoxicated was seen walking towards campus. Contact was made, and she was transported to the hospital. Also, at this time, three intoxicated underage females were spotted at Oxford Hall and referred to conduct.

10:28:

At noon, criminal mischief took place at Boardman Hall. A sign that displays a professor’s name was taken down for the fifth time. 

Around 8 p.m., drugs were reported on Rangeley Road when an individual noticed the odor of marijuana from the vehicle. UMPD took it, and those involved were referred to contact

Around 11 p.m., a theft complaint was made near Oxford Hall regarding a bike taken from outside the building. 

Around midnight, there was an information complaint in Androscoggin Hall. UMPD found a missing exit sign and reinstated it. 

10/29:

Around 7 a.m. UMPD assisted Orono PD in a domestic situation. 

At noon, damage to a vehicle occurred at the Astronomy Center parking lot.

Around 7:30 p.m., there was an accident at the York Hall parking lot. The caller claimed a vehicle rolled back and struck their car. 

10/30:

At 6 a.m., criminal mischief took place in Androscoggin Hall. It involved damage to restroom showers, trash thrown everywhere, a broken window screen, as well as damage to both exit signs and stall doors. 

Around 10 a.m., drugs were reported in Chandler Hall. The caller accused a person of having marijuana, but they did not.

Around 12:30 p.m., a suspicious complaint was reported in the Memorial Union. A suspicious male was spotted in his vehicle, which was running next to a generator. UMPD arrived, and he was just an employee on break.

At 1:30 p.m., UMPD assisted the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office in translating for a non-English speaking male. 

10/31:

At midnight, drugs were reported at Somerset Hall. The smell of marijuana was coming from a dorm room, but nobody answered the door. Also, at this time, drugs were discovered on Hilltop Road. UMPD reported several students smoking weed to conduct.

At 7:30 a.m., UMPD assisted the Orono Police Department in escorting a driver who crashed in Orono to class. 

At 7 p.m., marijuana use was reported in Chandler Hall. UMPD located the students and referred them to conduct.

A formal complaint was filed to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in dispute of the University of Maine scholarship programs designated for Native American students. It was submitted by an individual by the name of Justin Samuels. The thought process behind this grievance is that opportunities reserved specifically for affiliates or descendants of Native Tribes are discriminatory against those who do not identify as such. 

“It’s like they’re worshiping who they believe to be the biggest victim,” said Samuels.

University of Maine System Office Native American Waiver and Educational Program Coordinator John Bear Mitchell, who participated in the program from 1992 until 1999, has chosen to respond on its behalf. 

“I’ve been running the program now for over 21 years. Before that, my grandfather, Ted Mitchell, actually ran the program from 1972 until 1999, when he retired,” said Mitchell.

Ted Mitchell founded the Wabanaki Center. In his forties, he worked construction jobs on campus to financially support his 14 children. He decided to take evening classes in pursuit of his master’s degree. Dean Mark Shibles waived his senior year and encouraged Mitchell to begin employment as an educator at UMaine. 

“He was 52 years old, building the Memorial Union and Lengyell Gym and Hilltop. He actually left work as a construction supervisor on a Friday, and on a Monday, when he was hired, he came in in a suit. At 52 years old, he started a second career,” said Mitchell.

The Native American Waiver and Education Program covers all tuition and various fees for those applicable. Eligibility is determined by documentation proving that you are a Maine tribal member or associated with another federally recognized one. 

“The program started in 1934 at the pleasure of the Board of Governors, which is now the Board of Trustees. It was very small, starting out with one Penobscot male and female per year… They had to be accepted like everybody else and that went on until probably the 70s, when it expanded to an unlimited number of people,” said Mitchell.

The program also applies to direct descendants of tribal members or the children of direct descendants. Room and board grants are need-based, and the scholarship does not cover medical expenses, textbooks, or parking passes. 

Using the fact that Native Tribes in Maine are considered separate, sovereign entities and therefore politically independent from the federal government, Samuels claims those scholarships are technically designated solely for members of political affiliation and, therefore, unconstitutional in nature. 

He noted that it would be an infringement of the constitution to offer compensation to constituents of a certain political party. Since Native tribes are considered self-governing entities, the scholarships awarded to them are politically based. 

Nevertheless, Native American Tribes are not limited to that practice. They are moreover known for their respective language, history and culture. In being independent of the US federal government, the parameters likely align more closely with that of an International Student program.

“Our program is based on citizenship, and citizenship is protected all over the world. So, the program that we have here is not based on membership or anything of the such. It’s based on citizenship. It’s an internal program run within the UMaine system. It’s not run by the state, it’s not run or funded by the federal government. It’s not a right, it’s a privilege,” said Mitchell.

Samuels is convinced that the ideal course of action would be to transform the program into one that waives tuition based solely on the merit or need of each individual. He believes that student backgrounds must be entirely disregarded. 

“There’s no real program that is sort of like ‘If you’re this, you get this.’ When the program started in 1934, they literally have said ‘You have to get accepted like everybody else,’ and that’s why our population was so low in the beginning. It wasn’t until the 50s that we actually had a tribal graduate,” said Mitchell. 

It should be recognized that UMaine, like most other universities, also provides scholarships to students in consideration of academic performance and economic necessity. 

“The nation that they are a member of is more than welcome to set aside its own money for its own citizens to attend universities. I am not complaining about that,” said Samuels.

The issue with that solution is that many tribal nations lack the proper funding to cover a full education for their members. Furthermore, it would not, by any means, serve those who are descendants of members and not associated with the tribe personally. 

Suppose the scholarship opportunities and those of other underrepresented peoples are rescinded. How can UMaine or other universities encourage the enrollment of marginalized groups if they do not offer them compensation in return for enrollment? Samuels responded to this inquiry by suggesting a more diverse recruitment process. That would certainly increase diversity in applicants, but it is also a moot point if those students cannot cover the cost of tuition. 

Native Americans did not receive official citizenship in Maine until 1964, and it was common for tribal affiliates to join the workforce as early as 13 years old. They were generally employed by shoe shops, logging companies and sawmills. to provide for their families. Only one-third of the community graduated high school at this time, and very few within that margin could pursue higher education.

“We generally left the state where there were citizenship initiatives for Native people. We would essentially work hourly jobs. When people got up to eighth grade, they would leave school and go work to make money for their families… a very oppressed community,” said Mitchell.

According to the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, the average Native American household attains eight cents for every dollar of wealth made in the average caucasian household. The national poverty rate for white Americans is 8%. In contrast, Indigenous people hold the highest in the country at a significant 25.4%, with a statistic of one in three living in poverty across the US. 

“The sports teams have a higher population than the Native population at UMaine systemically. It’s not a very big program, unfortunately. We have about as many per capita numbers of people utilizing the Native American Waiver programs as other waiver programs that exist as well. There are 17 waiver programs that exist in the UMaine system. We’re just one of them,” said Mitchell. 

Samuels is not implying that tuition waivers should be revoked entirely but that they should be open to everyone. The issue is that the enrollment process tends to work systematically against minorities. For instance, In the US, Caucasians receive 72% of college scholarships, and though a third of applicants are minorities, they receive only 28%. 

If UMaine were to open its Native scholarship programs to all, many students in that demographic would be lost amidst a surplus of applicants from all walks of life. The program was designed to provide opportunities for Native American tribal affiliates, and those who do it does not apply to still have several potential scholarship and financial aid opportunities. 

“Some of the reasons why I am complaining about this is that it permanently gives people victim status without having a way out. There’s not a deadline to which this problem is supposed to be fixed or addressed,” said Samuels.

If the problem in question is a lack of support and consideration by institutions, providing these opportunities serves as a means of addressing it. Similarly, if the problem is that UMaine was built upon land illegally stolen from Native Americans, scholarships for students whose ancestors were wronged could be considered appropriate in creating a welcoming environment and denouncing that side of American history. 

“Notice I don’t advocate for sympathy, pity or special treatment for myself …Special programs for Natives don’t help me, and I’m not willing to stand in line and put someone else ahead of me, no matter what the tragedy in part because I have my own tragedy,” Samuels said.

Those who feel this similarly or oppose Samuel’s view should contact the University of Maine Human Resources department, where the complaint was also filed. Furthermore, the UMS Legal department, composed of five attorneys in Chadbourne Hall, is issuing a statement that can be accessed by request.

Samson Cournane, a third-year student majoring in computer science at the University of Maine, has been accused of defamation. Currently, he is facing legal backlash in response to a change.org petition and letter to the editor published in the Maine Campus on Oct. 28, 2022.  

Cournane was seeking signatures to raise public attention to the need for patient welfare accountability at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC). His mother, board-certified critical care pediatrician Dr. Anne Yered, voiced first-hand safety concerns to hospital administration while employed at EMMC in 2021. Shortly thereafter, she was allegedly terminated without legitimate cause. 

Yered, alongside other physicians, was witness to multiple safety violations at the medical institution. It was brought to her attention that the Medical Director of the Pediatric ICU at EMMC only completed one-third of a necessary critical care fellowship. Healthcare workers are not typically authorized to assume a predominant role without receiving a full education in preparation for the position. 

Upon later investigation, Cournane took notice of an alarming staff-to-patient ratio, considering EMMC being ranked as the second-largest hospital in Maine. Though a shortage of nurses is a commonly considered problem, physicians cannot provide complete treatment to those admitted in critical condition without forsaking the care of other patients in turn.

Cournane initially tried to set up a table for his petition at UMaine. He was encouraged by the Assistant Director for Campus Activities Benjamin Evans to have a conversation with hospital public relations beforehand. Evans also suggested that these efforts revolve more around Leapfrog, a nonprofit organization that collects data on patient safety for transparency. 

The Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer of EMMC, Dr. Navneet Marwaha, originally arranged an opportunity for Cournane to communicate grievances before creating his petition. However, the hospital administration did not follow through with their arrangement by reasoning that his concerns could not be taken into account due to the litigation involving Yered. After receiving potential misinformation about UMaine’s tabling policy, Cournane eventually set up a petition online. 

“The date and time were set and agreed upon, but Northern Light abruptly canceled the meeting. I went back to the university to see if I could get a table and was told it would cost me $250 each time I wanted to use it,” said Cournane. 

Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP), or “getting sued for speaking out,” potentially threatens freedom of speech. According to Article 1 Section 4 of the Maine Constitution, “Every citizen may freely speak, write and publish sentiments on any subject, being responsible for the abuse of this liberty; no laws shall be passed regulating or restraining the freedom of the press.” 

Abuses of free speech are categorized under obscenity, death threats, incitement to violence or defamation. However, First Amendment rights only apply to governmental censorship, meaning that an individual or conglomerate can claim abuse with even a baseline scope of probable cause. 

Defamation is a false statement publicized with the intention of damaging the reputation of a third party. The tort of defamation considers two components. One is slander, otherwise known as spoken character assassination, and the second is libel, written character assassination. Cournane’s petition and letter would fall under the latter if proven in a court of law. One aspect to bear in mind is that the truth is a widely accepted defense to such allegations. 

To sue for prima facie, or “at first sight” defamation, the plaintiff must prove that a statement made was false but purported as fact, published or communicated to a third person, derived from negligence or malice, and finally, that the statement causes concrete damage or harm to the person or entity mentioned. 

Cournane is represented by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). According to the case overview, EMMC is also suing under the false conjecture that Yered instigated her son’s decision to initiate public outreach. FIRE wrote, “Although meritless, the threat of defending against a costly defamation suit had the desired chilling effect: Samson ceased his advocacy.”

Cournane will be giving a presentation on his experience at the Maine Youth Leadership Conference in Augusta. It will be live-streamed, and registration is free.