By: Jenasa Staples, Staff Writer This year Portland police department invested in buying the camera equipment needed for their 120 patrol officers and the cameras are now being utilized. It is a debate and discussion by school board members on whether Portland school resource officers should carry cameras or not. Portland police department has the…
Author: USM Free Press
USM ranked #2 online college in Maine
By: Troy Daly, Staff Writer The SR Education Group is an education research group based in Washington state. The group was founded in 2004, with the mission “At SR Education Group, we are motivated by a singular vision: a world where students get the education they need to be successful,” according to their website. Since…
Lewiston-Auburn campus to move to downtown Lewiston
By: Emma J. Walsh, Staff Writer Last week, USM President Glenn Cummings sent an email declaring the new vision for USM’s Lewiston Auburn location that involves a relocation of the campus. The Lewiston Auburn Campus is currently on Westminster Street on the outskirts of Lewiston. Cummings said in the email that the USM Lewiston Auburn…
Protestors march against ICE in Portland
By: Amelia Bodge, Staff Writer The opening of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in One City Center in Portland promotes activists to hold demonstrations in protest on October 14th. The Department of Homeland Security agency which is commonly referred to as ICE has been the source of growing tensions in Maine and nationally….
End the Violations: Part Two
By: Alyson Peabody, Editor-In-Chief Last Monday, my letter introduced issues affecting the Free Press and my life outside of the paper. Shortly after the letter went live, I received a phone call from a USM alum who experienced the same issues during their time as a student. Hearing that this is nothing new, that it…
5 Helpful Tips for Driving in the Winter
Bad weather can change the way we drive in a big way. Driving is hard and dangerous enough as it is without inclement weather conditions. It can be tough to adjust to snow after not dealing with it for many months, so get a refresher on how to handle it before the winter comes. Follow our helpful…
Husky Hero of the Week: Tristan Dundas
By: Connor Blake, Photo courtesy of USm Athletics Tristan Dundas, captain of the Men’s Golf team and senior business management major from Abbotsford, British Columbia has driven this year’s team to a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship. For his senior year, he has been named captain and golfed his way to the GNAC player…
USM winter sports preview
By: Eli Canfield, Staff Writer Men’s Basketball The Men’s Basketball Team graduated four out of their five top scorers last season, but leading scorer Jayvon Pitts-Young (Senior, Athletic Training) is back. Pitts-Young, named to the First Team All-Conference in his first year at USM, averaged just under 20 PPG last season. Other key returners include…
7-foot-6 Tacko Fall brings unique talent to Portland
By: Cullen McIntyre, Sports Editor Basketball fans in Portland are getting a once in a lifetime experience this season, as 7-foot-6 center Tacko Fall joins the team on a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics. Fall, who was signed by the Boston Celtics after going undrafted in the 2019 NBA Draft, will now appear for…
Letter From the Editor: End the violations
By: Alyson Peabody, Editor-in-Chief Acts of intimidation from USM employees toward student leaders will not be tolerated. There are 256 documented purchase order violations and several folders containing intimidating emails written by USM employees toward members of the Student Senate and other Student Communication Board entities. Violations include not meeting the quota for three signers…
One small step for women; one giant leap for humanity
By: Alyson Peabody, Editor-in-Chief On the list of future plans in her high school yearbook, NASA astronaut Jessica Meir wrote “go for a spacewalk.” On October 18, NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir completed the first-ever all-female spacewalk. They spent nearly eight hours working outside of the International Space Station (ISS) replacing a broken…
If I could go home, I would
By: Dakota Tibbetts, USM ‘20 As I reflect on my nearly four years at USM, I can’t help but think of all I have learned all of the wonderful people I have met, and everything that I have accomplished both personally and academically. However, I also think back on the many times that this school…
Spooktacular ideas for a halloween party
By: Enzhe Zaripova, Staff Writer Halloween is on Thursday, October 31. It’s also Brexit day, when the United Kingdom leaves the European Union. So some may find even more reasons to have a party. Let’s get spooky! Costume ideas found in your closet! It may be too late to order a costume to get it…
Faces of US: Bhan Karam
By: Lillian Lema, Staff Writer The United States has been known as the home of the brave and land of the free. However, the journey to be part of this nation isn’t always an easy one, at least not for USM student Bhan Karam. “Home is where I feel a sense of peace where I…
MovieTalk: Zombieland: Double Tap
By: Ryan Farrell, Staff Writer When Zombieland was released ten years ago, it broke the horror genre’s mold by merging it with an upbeat comedic tone and a charismatic cast. Almost a decade later, the highly anticipated sequel Zombieland: Double Tap has finally made its way into theatres. Director Ruben Fleischer is back at the…
Of Mice and Men – The American Dream
By: Abigail Nelson, Staff Writer The American literary classic story “Of Mice and Men” graced the USM Russell Hall stage this weekend. The student lead group Performers at Work (PAW) have been preparing to present this production to the public for several months. Rehearsals began the second week of the fall semester when a group…
Tune In: Bull Feeney’s
Byline: Chelsea Marquis, Staff Writer Ireland does not feel far away when walking into Bull Feeney’s. From ceiling to floor, the authentic Irish decor welcomes patrons entering the front door. Rusted tin street signs that were found in Ireland adorn the walls, earthenware jugs and suitcases line the tops of the bar cabinet. In several…
Vinyl record donation drive
By: Max Lorber, Arts and Culture Editor On Saturday, November 2nd, Sullivan Gym on USM’s Portland campus will be transformed into a vast second-hand record shop for WMPG’s 24th annual Record Sale fundraiser. WMPG listeners and community members have donated hundreds of vinyl records, which will then be sold by volunteers to help support the…
Emergency protocols for students on campus
Byline: Emma J. Walsh, Staff Writer The recent power outage brings forth options for students on how to deal with emergency situations on campus. On Thursday October 17th, A windstorm resulted in the loss of power across both USM campuses. The loss of power left students with no wifi, electricity, or hot water. Classes, activities,…
How are students dealing with tuition costs?
By: Troy Daly, Staff Writer Attending a university is a costly financial and mental balancing act. Students pursuing their education must learn to manage time working, socializing and take care of their personal health. This can lead to worsening mental health if not managed properly. According to a student debt data collector, the average student…
Public Safety charges suspect with indecent conduct
By: Kate Rogers, News Editor On October 10 on the Gorham campus, there were two incidents of indecent exposure in which a man in a pickup truck exposed himself to two female students. Portland Police Department arrested a Sebago man on October 15 who was suspected to be involved in a different incident, according to…
MaineCare to cover transgender medical care
By: Amelia Bodge, Staff Writer Transgender medical care coverage will now be provided by MaineCare as of September 16 after a policy against it was overturned. The change to the policy was approved through legislation passed this year and signed by Gov. Janet Mills in June. Transsexual procedures had been excluded from MaineCare coverage prior…
Campus buildings not meeting accessibility standards
By: Paige Riddell, Staff Writer Not every building on USM’s campuses is up to accessibility standards. Of the 33 buildings that are owned and utilized by USM in Portland, 15 of them (45%) are not wheelchair accessible; on the Gorham campus 3 buildings are inaccessible. The majority of the inaccessible buildings line Bedford Street and…
Six Easy Side Gigs for College Students
If you’re in college, you’re likely aware of the fact that every dollar counts. Between lectures and studying, you may not have time to take on a structured part-time job, so a job that allows flexibility is ideal if you want to make a few extra dollars. With this in mind, we’ve made a list…