President Botman steps down from position, trustees to vote on new president next meeting
Posted on July 05, 2012 by Paul Koenig in News
University of Southern Maine President Selma Botman volunteered to step down as president two months after over half the faculty voted no confidence in Botman in a faculty-wide vote. System Chancellor James Page has recommended Theodora Kalikow, the recently-retired president of the University of Maine at Farmington, to replace Botman.
Koenig: Making my four years of college matter
Posted on April 30, 2012 by Paul Koenig in Letter From The Editor, Perspectives
Working at The Free Press is the first meaningful thing I’ve done in my life. Myself and the others at The Free Press served the USM community — or at least gave our best effort — with crucial news about the university, hopefully-illuminating student profiles and Halloween-themed drink recipes.
USM takes chance on innovative thinking with new project-based program
Posted on April 29, 2012 by Paul Koenig in News
USM is providing students with free rein in a sandbox-type lab that hopes to showcase the power of collaboration and creative thinking. The project will meld disciplines from both sides of the brain, bringing together faculty and students from arts, technology and engineering. The project, Collaborative Innovation for Creative Intelligence, or (CI)², as it’s been [...]
The Free Press Maine summer beer showdown: 2012
Posted on April 28, 2012 by Paul Koenig in Arts & Culture
The scattered warm days in Maine have kicked a lot of us into summer mode. Summer fun like barbecuing, beach trips and hiking are, for some people, better with a cold beer in hand. It’s tempting to switch to umbrella’d cocktails and fruity mixed drinks when the temperature creeps upwards, but a good summer beer [...]
Editor positions opening at The Free Press next semester
Posted on April 18, 2012 by Paul Koenig in News
With the majority of editors graduating, you’ll be seeing some new names in The Free Press. One of them could be yours. Working at student newspapers is one of the best ways to get the experience publications and other employers are looking for. And thanks to our recently announced partnership with the Bangor Daily News, your work will be seen by more people and you’ll make important connections with professionals in the field of journalism.
Appreciating life after harrowing childhood disease
Posted on April 09, 2012 by Paul Koenig in News
At the age of one, Rachel Miller was diagnosed with an extremely rare blood disease that had killed nearly every child before her with the disease. But she said with the help of a miracle from God, she survived and is now a sophomore at the University of Southern Maine.
Petition with signatures calling for no-confidence vote released [DOCUMENT]
Posted on April 05, 2012 by Paul Koenig in News
A group of senior members of the University of Southern Maine faculty gathered 53 signatures — roughly 15 percent of faculty at USM — from full, tenured faculty over the last week and a half, triggering a faculty-wide referendum for a no-confidence vote in USM President Selma Botman. The petition was drawn up three or four weeks [...]
Camire: A letter supporting President Botman and a unified university
Posted on April 05, 2012 by Paul Koenig in Perspectives
I am a student and, of my own accord, I am sending this message to speak out in support of our president, Selma Botman. As a student leader, I have spent a lot of time with President Botman — having conversations about what students want and need and making USM a better place together. She has been incredibly receptive and student-centered, and I couldn’t imagine working with a better president to improve our home.
Faculty petition triggers referendum for a no-confidence vote in President Botman
Posted on April 04, 2012 by Paul Koenig in News
Faculty Senate Chair Jeannine Diddle Uzzi dropped the petition off at Botman’s office this afternoon after being presented with it by Jerry Lasala, professor of physics. “We’ve come to the conclusion that this is a chronic and apparently unchangeable solution,” Lasala said.
USM takes back two controversial raises for administrators
Posted on April 01, 2012 by Paul Koenig in News
The University of Southern Maine took back two controversial pay increases to top administrators following backlash from the USM community member as well as members of the public.
