University system chancellor visits Portland campus in wake of no-confidence vote
Posted on May 10, 2012 by Noah Hurowitz in News
University of Maine System Chancellor James Page pledged his support Thursday in helping the University of Southern Maine move on from the recent controversy surrounding a no-confidence vote in USM President Selma Botman. “Everyone I’ve talked to is driven by a desire to see a better University of Southern Maine and a better place for the [...]
Over half of faculty voted no confidence in President Botman
Posted on May 02, 2012 by Noah Hurowitz in News
Over half of all faculty at the University of Southern Maine cast votes saying they don’t have confidence in USM President Selma Botman. The vote needed a two-thirds majority to pass and be considered the will of the faculty. But with a voter turnout of about 75 percent, over 68 percent of faculty who voted [...]
Voting closed for no-confidence vote, awaiting results
Posted on May 02, 2012 by Noah Hurowitz in News
Voting closed at 4 p.m. today for the faculty-wide vote of no confidence in University of Southern Maine President Selma Botman with results set to be announced later tonight. Faculty began casting their ballots yesterday at locations in Portland, Gorham and Lewiston. Ronald Schmidt, a professor of political science and the media contact for the Faculty [...]
Results of no-confidence vote expected tonight
Posted on May 02, 2012 by Noah Hurowitz in News
The results of the faculty-wide vote of no confidence in University of Southern Maine President Selma Botman will continue today, with results expected this evening. The referendum was triggered by a petition signed by 53 senior faculty and given to Botman and the Faculty Senate April 4. Any petition receiving signatures from more than 10 [...]
Multicultural students to observe graduation with community celebration
Posted on April 30, 2012 by Noah Hurowitz in News
Multicultural students graduating from the University of Southern Maine, Southern Maine Community College and the University of New England will have quite a send-off at the 12th annual multicultural student graduation ceremony Tuesday evening. The USM Office of Multicultural Student Affairs is organizing the celebration, which will include food and by students and artists from [...]
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 [...]
New community floors attempt to improve dorm life in Gorham
Posted on April 23, 2012 by Sloane Ewell in News
In order to replenish excitement and energy to the University of Southern Maine’s Gorham campus, USM staff and administration are establishing specialized floors in the dorms for students with specific interests that promote academics through activities on various floors. After seeing USM’s residential population at a low of almost 1,000 — short of an occupancy [...]
USM hires professor to head innovative program
Posted on April 22, 2012 by anorster in News
In the top floor of the Science Building’s research wing, a person can still see the bones of the building. The large room is split by a few sparse walls and beams still hang exposed overhead. There are a few tables and desks with white iMacs and a view of the city that would put [...]
Botman addresses faculty criticism, urges university to move forward
Posted on April 22, 2012 by Noah Hurowitz in News, Uncategorized
University of Southern Maine President Selma Botman reached out in an email to members of the USM community Tuesday, addressing the recent criticism of her from faculty and highlighting a number initiatives the university is undertaking to increase enrollment. Botman wrote that her commitment, her management style and the decisions she’s made in her tenure [...]
Five students displaced by fire at Gorham House of Pizza
Posted on April 20, 2012 by Dylan Martin in News
A fire in the Gorham House of Pizza building last night displaced five students and three other tenants living above the pizzeria. No one was injured in the downtown Gorham fire, which began around 9:30 p.m. as a result of a bathroom ceiling fan between the second and third floors being left on for too long, according to the Gorham Fire Department.
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