UPDATE From: President Richard L. Pattenaude

Number 10, August 2005

Opening Breakfast

It's hard to believe that in just a few short weeks we will be celebrating the opening of the 2005-06 academic year at the annual Faculty and Staff Breakfast, scheduled at 8 a.m. on September 2 in the Costello Sports Complex, Gorham campus. Each year, this unique opening event provides a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and issues for the coming academic year. As we progress with the tasks set before us in Transforming USM, at this year's breakfast I will highlight many of our accomplishments over the previous year, outline some of the seminal aspects of the Transforming USM that will come into play in the coming year, and discuss many of the challenges we may face along the way to our goal. If you have not already done so, please RSVP at 780-4007. I look forward to seeing you there.

^top

USM In Bond Packages

I am happy to report that Gov. Baldacci and the State Legislature again have recognized USM's importance to our region's economic growth by including us in the $83-million bond package that will go to voters this November. As of this writing, USM is on the ballot for two significant projects. The first is a $2-million bond for the construction of a new home for USM's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). As the demand for learning opportunities for adults ages 55 and older continues to grow, this bond would strengthen our capacity to serve this vital and growing segment of Maine's population. The $2-million state bond not only would help fund construction of a new OLLI building, a critical component of the University Commons on USM's Portland campus, its passing also will leverage an additional $4 million in private foundation funds.

The second USM component of the bond package is a $2-million bond for an expansion of LAC that would provide space for The Educational Change Center. A critical component of the community-based initiative College for ME-Androscoggin, the project is designed to double the number of college- educated citizens in Androscoggin County in the next decade. The Center and the College for ME-Androscoggin effort aims to create state and regional models for demonstrating the critical link between higher education and economic development.

We have advocated for additional funding for other projects, including classroom and laboratory renovation. However, given fiscal constraints and other state priorities, we feel fortunate to be included at the combined $4 million level-the largest segment of university funding. Other university- related bond issues include $3.8 million for R&D initiatives at the University of Maine, Orono, and $2 million for facility improvements throughout the University System. However, no decision has been made yet on what projects the $2 million will be spent.

^top

Update on Facilities

As you may recall from a message to the USM community earlier this calendar year, the Student Senate and related offices in Portland are moving from leased space on Baxter Blvd. to the meeting spaces formerly known as Rooms A, B and C in the Woodbury Campus Center, Portland campus. We will continue to make better use of existing conference spaces on the Portland campus, including meeting spaces in the Law School, Muskie and Luther Bonney, as well as spaces available in the Abromson Community Education Center.

Last month, USM received final approval from the Gorham Planning Board for the construction of a new child care building on the Gorham campus. The 6,500-square-foot facility, to be located adjacent to the John Mitchell Center, will serve 50 children through a collaborative project with PROP. Construction is scheduled to start soon, with the hopes of completing the facility in Spring 2006.

Also in the works is the planning for a new 324-bed residence hall to be located on the Gorham campus adjacent to the water tower and Bailey Hall. Planning also is underway to add parking to offset losses in parking by the location of the residence hall site. This project is still in the early design phase, and we will keep you posted as planning progresses.

^top

Homecoming 2005

USM Homecoming 2005 is scheduled to take place Friday, September 30, and Saturday, October 1, on the Gorham campus. Homecoming is a wonderful opportunity to support our campus community while celebrating our university's unique and rich history with alumni, family and friends. In preparation for the weekend's events, we already have received a great deal of support from student groups and the Alumni Association. I encourage each of the schools and colleges also to make the most of the weekend as an opportunity to interact and meet with friends, families and alumni by hosting a tour, sponsoring a get-together or planning some other event in conjunction with Homecoming. For more information on Homecoming and how your school or college can get involved, please contact Elizabeth Huntley, director of alumni relations, at ehuntley@usm.maine.edu or Ray Dumont, coordinator of special events, at rdumont@usm.maine.edu.

^top

>return to update