The University of Maine System is a state-wide, seven campus, public University chartered by the 104th Legislature "to develop, maintain, and support a cohesive structure of public higher education in the State of Maine."
The Board of Trustees, in consultation with the Chancellor, is the governing and planning body of the University of Maine System and has statutory responsibility for preparation and approval of the operating and capital budgets of the University of Maine System. In accordance with the Laws of the State of Maine, the Board of Trustees of the University of Maine System consists of sixteen members. Fourteen members are appointed by the Governor for five-year terms, and a student member is appointed for a two-year term. This is subject to review by the Joint Standing Committee on Education and confirmation by the Legislature. The Commissioner of Education serves as a voting member ex-officio.
The Trustees appoint a Chancellor to act as chief administrative and academic officer of the System and, on the nomination of the Chancellor, appoint campus Presidents to lead each campus.
The University of Maine System, created by statute in 1968, is tax exempt under Section 501 (C)(3) of the 1986 Internal Revenue Code and encompasses the State's seven public universities: the University of Maine in Orono, Maine's Land Grant and Sea Grant institution; the University of Southern Maine, a comprehensive urban university; four baccalaureate institutions -- the University of Maine at Farmington, the University of Maine at Fort Kent, the University of Maine at Machias, and the University of Maine at Presque Isle; and a community college, the University of Maine at Augusta.
The University of Maine System occupies almost 1,300 acres of developed land with its facilities providing almost 7.5 million square feet of space; the replacement value of land and facilities is $1,026,607,993. The University has 40 dormitories with a capacity of 6,604 students.
The fall 1994 enrollment was 31,220 with:
17,235 full-time and 13,985 part-time students
27,139 undergraduate and 4,081 graduate students
27,782 in-state and 3,438 out-of-state students
18,475 women and 12,745 men
There were 4,989 degrees awarded by the University of Maine System in 1993/94: 721 Associate; 3,408 Baccalaureate; 703 Masters; 43 Doctoral; 29 Certificates of Advanced Study; and 85 Jurisprudence degrees.
The University of Maine System employs 4,592 regular employees: 1,338 Faculty; 1,401 Professional and Administrative staff; and 1,853 Classified employees.
The E & G Operating Budget for 1994/95 is $222,899,453.
The average cost for a Maine student to attend the University is $10,130 including tuition, room and board, books, and personal expenses. The additional cost to the University is $6,731 per undergraduate student funded chiefly by the state appropriation.
The University of Maine System is accredited, at its various campuses, by national, regional, and state agencies to provide academic program offerings in arts and sciences, education, agriculture, life sciences, engineering, forestry, legal education, and business.
(Source: Office of Finance and Treasurer, University of Maine System)