University of Maine System Chancellor Richard L. Pattenaude spoke to a joint session of the Maine State Senate and House of Representatives in Augusta Thursday.
Among the issues Pattenaude focused on in his biennial address were affordability and issues surrounding transferring between Maine’s community college system and its university system.
Pattenaude told legislators UMS and Maine’s community colleges will work together to solve problems related to transfers.“We are committed to working collaboratively to make the transfer experience smooth, seamless, and effective,” he said.
Pattenaude said the university system is committed to staying affordable, pointing to this year’s tuition increases, which he said were the smallest in eight years. “Affordable tuition is a key to student retention and graduation,” said Pattenaude.
According to Pattenaude, the university system has made significant gains in financial stability. He said the system was operating with seven percent fewer employees and had reduced expenditures $5 million in the last two years.