In addition to our zoom workshops, support groups and individual counseling we are now offering an online mental health tool for the USM student community called SilverCloud. It is an online platform that is available to all University of Maine System students at no cost. It offers self-guided programs for anxiety, depression, stress, and resilience. Based…
Author: USM Free Press
Intramural and Club Sports Create Community Despite COVID-19
Intramural and club sports have been apart of the fabric of the USM community for many years, and even through the midsts of COVID-19, it’s no different. Although the normal activities may have been modified, the long-lasting benefits it has on students remain. At USM Intramural Sports were designed to provide an opportunity for students…
USM Professors Inducted into Maine Women’s Hall of Fame
By: Haley Hersey, Staff Writer The Maine Women’s Hall of Fame’s 2021 inductees are Joyce Taylor Gibson and Leigh Saufley. Gibson is an associate professor of Leadership Studies at the University of Southern Maine and the former dean of Lewiston-Auburn College. Saufley is the Dean of the University of Maine School of Law and former Maine…
Letter From the Editor: Silence is Complicity
By: Cullen McIntyre, Editor-in-Chief When sitting down to write the Letter From the Editor for the Black History Month special issue, I had originally thought to leave it blank. How could I, a white male at the age of 20 be able to speak on behalf of a race that has dealt with things I will…
From the Civil Rights Movement to Black Lives Matter – How Nicole d’Entremont time in the Selma Marches changed her outlook
The month of February is filled with many celebrations and events, however, all 28 days are notably commendable for Black History Month. The month is a platform for educating, celebrating, remembering, and honoring the African American community. With the current political movement that is Black Lives Matter (BLM), it is even more important to come…
Students’s Non-profit Shares Community Stories One Piece of Art at a Time
By : Lydia Simmons / Staff Writer For junior Nate Henry being an active member of his community has always been a priority. As a sustainable business major with a focus in marketing and a minor in economics, his passion for business is something that he always wanted to use to improve his community and…
Love, in a Time of Covid: Improving Connection through Communication
By: Shea Shattuck-Faegre “Love is like a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time.” -Maya Angelou Another Valentine’s Day has come and gone— taking with it the stuffed bears with heart-shaped boxes holding chocolates with unfailingly dubious fillings, and those little paper cards with saccharine proclamations of value or devotion: “You are great!”…
Checking in on the Freshman – what are their goals and expectations of this Spring semester?
Welcome to the end of the third week of our COVID-19 Spring semester, where many students are still hunkering down and creating a new schedule and routine for themselves. Seniors are probably freaking out about it being three months until graduation, the juniors are hoping the vaccine saves their senior year, and the sophomores are…
Will you be my Valentine? How COVID-19 has changed dating and the celebration of lovers’ day.
As the stores fill up with bags of pink and red candy, and flower sales are increasing we enter our next big holiday after Groundhog’s Day. Give a round of applause for Valentine’s Day. The holiday surrounds love and appreciation of others. While people ask their girlfriends, boyfriends, partners, and friends the big question: “will…
FEEL THE LOVE at University Health Services
The month of February is brimming with health observances: World Cancer Day (Feb 4th) American Heart Month, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (Feb 7th), National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (Feb 22-26) just to name a few. The holiday February is perhaps most known for however, is the widely celebrated and sometimes dreaded Valentine’s Day. May…
Students Hit the Hills for a Sledding Snow Day
A text alert goes out to all USM students Monday night: “USM Portland, Gorham, Lewiston campuses are closing today Feb 1, 2021 at 5pm and will remain closed tomorrow Feb, 2, 2021 due to inclement weather forecasted”. With a message only 158 characters long, the gears of all college students start spinning in their heads…
Artist of the Week : Nakia (Kia) Pickering
Byline : Kayley Weeks / Staff Writer Art has always been a part of Pickering’s life, “I remember when I was little my dad and I would watercolor Pokemon together before school,” she said. Pickering attended Waldorf School growing up. The Waldorf method of teaching focuses on creating well-rounded students through a broad curriculum including…
Students Expand Their American Sign Language Opportunities on Campus
Byline : Lydia Simmons / Staff Writer The American Sign Language (ASL) Club at the University of Southern Maine that is dedicated to helping students who either already know American Sign Language or are serious about learning the language and improving their skills. The ASL club provides a comfortable, encouraging, and safe space for members…
How To Dress Well Without Breaking the Bank
Everyone wants to look their best, but high-end, fashionable clothing is so often monetarily out of reach. You don’t need to be rich to look great. There are a few tricks that you can employ to get the most out of your wardrobe, no matter where you get it. Here are a few tips on…
What’s New at Counseling Services This Year?
In addition to our zoom workshops, support groups and individual counseling we are now offering an online mental health tool for the USM student community called SilverCloud. It is an online platform that is available to all University of Maine System students at no cost. It offers self-guided programs for anxiety, depression, stress, and resilience. Based…
Safety Tips for Working With Chemicals in a Lab
Working with chemicals in an enclosed environment poses several safety risks. One of the most prevalent safety risks present in a laboratory is the inhalation of toxic fumes. When chemicals are inhaled, they can have numerous negative effects, such as eye, nose, and throat irritation. Depending on the quantity and type of chemical used, the…
Top Tricks To Improve the Look of Your Truck
When it comes to a truck, there are many things you can do to help it look its best. Whether you are buying a new truck or altering one you have had for a while, you can do a lot to make it shine the way you want. The simplest way to do this is…
USM Student researches the Effects of Reading to Alzheimer’s Patients
By Haley Hersey, Staff Writer Fourth-year English major with a K-8 pathway in education, Kacey Foerster, has been conducting research on the effects of reading to Alzheimer patients, due to having been nominated for the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Being a part of the UROP allows Foerster to conduct official research with funding and…
Naming and Framing Racism on the USM Campus
Byline : Kayley Weeks / Staff Writer Over the years, black students at USM have been forced to make their own safe spaces, and nobody has commended them for their leadership, activism, and organization efforts. “Instead we were demonized. We were told that we were too much. We were told we were too loud. We…
Top New Year’s Resolutions For Stress Relief
The new year is here. How is everyone feeling? While resolutions are all good and well, sticking to fresh patterns, ambitions, or techniques to improve our lives can be demanding. As a college student, the difficulty of maintaining and achieving goals lies in the pressure to continually create success for the future. Don’t let the…
Artist of the Week : Dana Casey
Byline : Kayley Weeks / Staff Writer Dana Casey has been able to draw since the day she first picked up a pencil. Drawing has always been a part of her life. “I do not remember a time that I was not interested in art,” says Casey. Her interest in art really solidified during high…
3 Jobs That Let You Work (Mostly) Alone
Let’s face it—not everyone can be a people person. As good as collaboration and interpersonal skills look on a resume, they’re not always going to be your biggest strengths. That’s okay! It’s important to find a career that matches your skillset and helps you feel satisfied and fulfilled at the end of the day. For…
USM Student Starts Petition Calling for Pass/Fail Grading Option
By Haley Hersey, Staff Writer COVID-19 continues to present new academic challenges and difficulties for students, especially students at USM. The pandemic resulted in modalities of classes to change from how they were originally posted when students signed up for classes. For many, the new modalities of their classes were not compatible with their learning…
How To Take Care of Your Book Collection
As you complete your college education, you should be beginning to amass an impressive personal library—one you should continue to build throughout your life. But having a full complement of books isn’t as simple as buying them, shelving them, and otherwise leaving them alone. You’ll need to do basic upkeep for most of your books,…