The Free Press – The University of Southern Maine Immediate Press Release October 25, 2023 When someone thinks about the University of Southern Maine, they tend to only think about Gorham and Portland. A surprise for some, but a known fact to many, there is a third campus. The Lewiston-Auburn Campus (LAC),…
Growing up on the coast of Maine comes with the benefits of a cool ocean breeze and consistent access to the water. However, some of the disadvantages of growing up in the small town of Rockland is there are one to two people who know everyone. When my freshman year started I went from being…
I’ve never liked it when things have to end, especially when I’ve enjoyed them so much, and I also hate change. There are so many mixed emotions when it comes down to it because it’s so sad and bittersweet that it almost hurts, and yet somehow it can feel like a relief. I never want…
People today have many different pets, all coming with the pluses and minuses that come with owning a pet. The most common pets you think of are cats and dogs, or at least that’s what I think of. Whenever I’m substitute teaching the topic comes up: “Oh do you have a pet?” Then everyone goes…
Happy Black History Month! As a white person, I’m aware of the privilege I have–especially as someone who runs a newspaper. So, I want to highlight a few of my favorite Black artists. These artists have impacted me throughout the years and inspired me. Without them, I wouldn’t be the artist I am today. All…
There are so many different types of love. I feel like as a society we priori- tize romantic love over platonic love. Sometimes we prioritize what some would consider unconditional love even if your chosen family has treated you better. I receive platonic love from my friends. I used to feel so weird about telling…
In the thick of the holiday season that presents itself with many complicated feelings, everyone is rushing around looking for the next big deal and we’re panicking because we have to submit so many assignments in the next couple of weeks. Oftentimes we are told to just relax, It’s the holiday season, kick back with…
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…
By: Asha Tompkins, Editor-in-Chief Photos: Cullen McIntyre, Web Editor “Say his name: George Floyd. What’s his name? George Floyd.” I look around and see history being made. Hundreds, thousands gather in the streets. Their throats are strained and raw as they beg and plead with uniformed bodies. Human beings fighting for their right to live and die…
By: Dionne Smith, Editor-in-Chief Once again, as history has shown time and time again, the young voter turnout in Maine on Super Tuesday was lower than all other age groups. As someone who is in the age group, I can’t help but feel a lot of disappointment, and confusion. According to the Washington Post, voters…
By: Dionne Smith, Editor-in-Chief “Neurons that fire together, wire together,” is what professor Rikki Miller has been telling me since I had her in PSY 101 three years ago. The human brain has billions of neurons, and these neurons help send messages to different parts of our brain to tell it what it should do,…
By: Alyson Peabody, Editor-in-Chief Taylor Swift opened up in her documentary Miss Americana about her reluctance to speak up about her political views. Swift broke her longstanding silence on politics during the 2018 midterm elections. Marsha Backburn, a self-proclaimed “hard-core conservative” was running to become Tennessee’s first female senator. Blackburn opposes gay rights and protective…
By: Alyson Peabody, Editor-in-Chief Of the many notable things from President Trump’s State of the Union address, one thing stood out to me the most: green buttons. Pinned on the white lapels of some Democratic women in the audience were green buttons that read, “ERA yes.” For anyone who doesn’t know, ERA stands for Equal…
By: Alyson Peabody, Editor-in-Chief Though our name lines the top edges, The Free Press does not own the kiosks that house our newspapers on campus. Recent concern from USM community members called attention to what appears to be the student newspaper endorsing ABBA, A Woman’s Resource Center. Students passing by Luther Bonney may have seen…
By: Alyson Peabody, Welcome, USM community, to a new year and a new semester! Now is the perfect time to set intentions for yourself, whether academic or personal, to uphold during the coming months. This semester I am committing myself to two things: setting healthy boundaries and striving for improvement, not perfection. Setting healthy boundaries-…
By: Alyson Peabody, Editor-in-Chief President Cummings announced via email on Dec. 6 that the proposed university name change to University of Maine at Portland has been postponed. President Cummings informed the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees that they will be “restructuring the timeline” to accommodate pending Portland campus construction of a student center, green…
By: Alyson Peabody, Editor-In-Chief It started with minor verbal slip-ups. Forgotten names. Rambling sentences. Gradually, the little things became long voicemail messages and persistent confusion. I haven’t heard my grandfather say my name in a few years. He knows me as ‘that girl in that city.’ My grandfather has Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA), a type…
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…
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…
By: Alyson Peabody, Editor-in-Chief I want to ensure that all young people at the high school and collegiate level have an opportunity to explore journalism in a similar environment that is constructive, not restrictive. With help from legal representatives and other Maine advocates for press freedom, I am working to push forward New Voices of…
By: Alyson Peabody, Editor-in-Chief Every person who works on the Free Press staff benefits from the dedication of those who came before us. Writers, photographers, designers and editors alike have invested themselves into their roles as journalists covering the USM community for generations. The Free Press has birthed leaders whose strides continue to be celebrated…
By: Alyson Peabody, Editor-in-Chief 150 countries held Youth Climate Strikes over the last two weeks. One young woman’s name has been leading the headlines: Greta Thunberg. She is a 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist who seeks to hold politicians accountable for their lack of action on the climate crisis. She is organizing global #FridaysForFuture, inviting everyone…
By: Alyson Peabody, Editor-in-Chief Stop keeping up with the Kardashians. Nothing makes my blood boil more than the sexist notion of pitting women against each other for dramatic attention. There are enough mixed messages presented in the media for how women should look and act. The last thing women need is to be portrayed (and…
By: Alyson Peabody, Editor-in-Chief Last weekend I went to the Saco Drive-In theater to watch a double feature of It by Stephen King. The movie is a remake adaptation of King’s classic horror novel. Those that found Tim Curry’s depiction of Pennywise to be a little campy, shook in their boots at Bill Skarsgard’s disturbing…