University of Southern Maine

A Southern Maine Imperative

In the fall of 2000, the Board of Visitors released "A Southern Maine Imperative: Meeting the Region's Higher Education Needs in the 21st Century." The report, which emphasized the need for USM to become one of the top-ranked comprehensive universities in the United States, serves as a basis for the University's strategic planning.

The board, with Davis Family Foundation funding, interviewed a dozen community leaders and 180 focus group participants to assess the region's needs and expectations. The report stated that the futures of southern Maine and USM are integrally linked.

The report makes the point that in a knowledge-based economy, economically competitive and culturally vital regions will rely on dynamic universities for programs linked to emerging industrial sectors. In addition, the report reiterates the need for "strong liberal arts that ...serve as a foundation for lifelong learning and economic prosperity."

Public reaction to the report was clear. The Bangor Daily News, in an editorial published shortly after its release, noted, "The report is an ambitious, well-targeted argument for expanding programs at USM to meet the current and future demands of the region."

Other activities:

The USM Board of Visitors has participated in, or has been an active supporter of:

• Consolidation of advocacy efforts so that the University is speaking to policymakers and voters in a strong, unified voice.
  
• Review of USM's general education requirements.
  
• Establishment of 10 new undergrad and graduate-level programs in music, biology, public policy and leadership studies, all of which respond to community needs.
  
• State-wide expansion/transformation of Senior College into the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, which provides lifelong learning opportunities to hundreds of Maine seniors.
  
• Successful completion of USM's largest capital campaign, the $21 million "21st Century Campaign for Excellence;" expansion of the Annual Fund; establishment of a campaign to identify federal earmarks ($2.9 million received in 2003 to support science & tech programs); and passage of bond issues to support the Bioscience Research Wing; the Abromson Community Education Center; and the addition of an advanced technology wing to support the education and training needs of Maine manufacturers.

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