Final budget cuts lowered
Final budget cut totals to the University of Maine System are $850,000 less than the governor originally proposed. The state budget, adopted January 30th, calls for a $4.95 million cut for UMS this year, down from $5.8 million. The state appropriation cut for next year remains $1.2 million. USM’s share of the cuts will be $1.1 million this year and $265,000 next year. There is some good news. Any unappropriated funds for 2004 will go to financial aid programs, and further surpluses of up to $3.2 million will go towards restoring funds to higher education.
Financial aid deadline looms
Before students look towards February break, those interested in receiving financial aid need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. The form determines eligibility for a number of federal loan and scholarship opportunities and must be mailed by February 15th to comply with USM’s March 1st deadline. Students must submit the FAFSA each year, either by mail or electronically at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. For more information contact the USM Office of Financial Aid at 780-5250 or on the web at http://www.usm.maine.edu/fin.
Youth task force submits report
The Advisory Task Force on Creating a Future for Youth in Maine has submitted its final report to the legislature. Started by Maine Senate President Beverly Dagget (D-Augusta) and House Speaker Pat Colwell (D-Gardiner), the taskforce was charged with proposing legislation to halt the out-migration of Maine’s youth. They found many students are unaware of opportunities in Maine due to a lack of structure within the Maine university systems and poor communication between the business and educational sectors. Among other things, they propose a statewide marketing campaign, higher education cost reductions and loan repayment programs to keep young Mainers in the state. A copy of the report is available online at http://www.state.me.us/legis/opla/meyouth.htm.
Bill to give 17-year-olds voting rights proposed
A bill to allow 17-year-olds participate in primary elections has received initial approval in the Maine House of Representatives. The bill originally called for lowering the voting age to 17, but was later amended to allowing only those 17-year-olds who will be 18 by the general election vote in the preceding primary. The bill would not allow 17- year-olds to vote in presidential caucuses. The bill is still subject to further discussion on both the House and Senate floor.
EPA announces sustainability competition for college students
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a new P3
Award: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability. It will
provide grants to teams of college students to research, develop and
design sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. P3–for
people, prosperity and the planet–has two phases. Initially, teams
compete for $10,000 grants. EPA will support up to 50 student design
projects during the 2004-2005 academic year for research and development
of their sustainable design. For more information, visit http://es.epa.gov/ncer/p3/designs_sustain_rfp.html