Abromson Center Use Policies

 The Joel and Linda Abromson

Community Education Center

Policies and Procedures

 The University of Southern Maine is honored by the support of many individuals and organizations inspired by the ideals of community service and improvement that both Joel and Linda Abromson have exemplified.  The policies and procedures outlined in this document are designed to ensure that each guest of the Joel and Linda Abromson Center for Community Education receives the best and most consistent service possible.

I.          Mission

 The Joel and Linda Abromson Center for Community Education provides a first class venue for the University of Southern Maine’s community outreach programs.  A nexus between the regional community and the resources for community and public education available at the University, the Abromson Center will enhance the educational and economic development of region.

Specifically, the Abromson Center provides:

• Classrooms for professional continuing education programs.
• The 500-seat Hannaford Lecture Hall, with advanced communication and presentation capabilities.
• Space for conferences, meetings, and events, including:
  • Community functions, events, forums, training sessions    
  • University ceremonies such as convocation
  • Large events for USM students and prospective students such as orientation or financial aid informational meetings
  • Osher Lifelong Learning Institute events
  • Summer Session institutes
  • Other events consistent with the mission of the Abromson Center

The Abromson Center is the home of Professional and Continuing Education which includes the following units:

• Department of Conferences
• USM Summer
• USM Online
• CTEL
• Professional Development Programs
• Adult Student Services Center

II. Governance and Operations

A.    Leadership

The Executive Director for Professional and Continuing Education will provide vision and leadership, ensuring that the Abromson Center reaches its full potential as a resource for University outreach and community interaction.

B. Management

The USM Department of Conferences will coordinate day-to-day management of the facility, including the booking of space.

III. Use Fees

While charging for space is necessary to meet the costs of constructing the building, internal users will receive a discounted rate.  The Department of Conferences will provide event planning services free of charge to ensure quality control and the efficient coordination of other service departments.  Charges for direct expenses and other USM services (such as those provided by Food Services, Facilities Management, Parking and Transportation, Instructional Technology, University Computing Technologies, and the like) are the responsibility of the group sponsoring the event.  The Department of Conferences will coordinate these logistics as part of its free meeting arrangement service.  A non-refundable deposit will be due upon signing a contract to confirm space and meeting arrangements.

Conference Registration Service:  The Department of Conferences can provide a full conference registration service for groups meeting in Hannaford Hall and the Abromson Center.  The Department can be contacted at 780‑5960 or by e‑mail at conferences@usm.maine.edu

IV. Scheduling Procedure and Priorities

 The University of Southern Maine’s Department of Conferences (DOC) is responsible for booking events in the Abromson Center.  The Department can be contacted at 780‑5960 or by e‑mail at conferences@usm.maine.edu.

Major institutional special events, and courses and events offered by Professional Development Programs, the Department of Conferences, and USM Summer will receive the highest scheduling priority.  Scheduling deadlines for these mission-focused uses are based on the Professional Development Programs' three term calendar.  Deadlines are as follows:

Fall:                         June 15

Winter:                    October 15

Spring/Summer       December 15

After these dates, space is available to other groups.

If the Department of Conferences is asked to schedule a high priority event when no other appropriate space is available, the Department may negotiate short-term temporary displacements of scheduled groups.  On these rare occasions, every effort will be made to provide advance notice and to secure alternative space.

V.  Violation of Policies, Financial Responsibility

 Use of the Abromson Center is a privilege. The University reserves the right to refuse use of the Abromson Center to any USM department, academic unit, student, faculty or staff organization, or external client that does not follow the policies and procedures outlined in this document and in the USM Space and Scheduling Policy, does not pay their bill in a timely manner, or otherwise misuses the facility.