Category: News

The Student Senate began its 2004-2005 session with a new chair, goals to streamline efficiency and the hope that a larger population of students will recognize the organization.

Cutover to Call Pilot…. Fair stops for no rain…. Alumni to get champagne…. Free food for all…. Red Cross at USM…. Costello to offer College Counseling.

Ezekiel (Zeke) Kimball, the chair of the Student Senate met with me on a muggy afternoon at 11 Baxter Blvd. While his handshake was firm, his nervous smile indicated a shy, humble person, preferring the behind-the-scenes view over the spotlight this interview would bring.

Seven days in the sphere of scofflaws…

In 1999 John Swapceinski, a student at San Jose State University, created the website RateMyProfessors.com where students can critique and review their professors anonymously.

The University has approximately 100 international students this year including 11 exchange students. The students represent, according to the University website, 15 different countries. These countries include Canada, Palestine, Japan and Iran.

Herpes, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HPV…We all know what these awful things are, and as a bunch of hormonal college kids we all better know how to avoid them, and how to deal with them.

Chlamydia:

According to the Center for Disease Control, this nasty little bacterium is the most frequently reported STD in the US.

While the list of events for next week’s second annual USM Homecoming may lack the accompaniment of some common traditions held at other schools, such as a football game, pep rally or marching band, school spirit is still at its best for the USM community during this week.

This year the class of 2006 includes six young adults who have Down Syndrome. They will be attending classes as part of a program created and implemented by STRIVE University and USM. This program is the first of its kind in the nation.

Campus crime logs compiled from summer until now.

Brief news summaries from this past week.

Last Monday, Seeds of Peace finished up the first session of a new program called Beyond Borders, a summer camp where Arab and American teens come together to learn about each other. The new Seeds of Peace President Aaron David Miller, who worked on the Middle East conflict for the State Department for 25 years, created the program.

The Editorial Board of The Free Press has undergone some major changes this year. With almost every department having a new editor and new writers, it’s no wonder if you have noticed something different about the paper in your hands. As this year starts it is important to know who is bringing you your campus news briefs, Athlete of the Week, and the latest indy music reviews.

If it seems there are a lot of cranes over the Portland campus, it’s because there are. Since the ground was broken for the parking garage major improvements and additions to the USM campuses are everywhere. These improvements are just the beginning.

The University’s five year strategic plan “Transforming USM: 2004-09” has the call to action of “Upgrade and Expanded Facilities” as it’s fourth tenet.

This year 40 delegates represented the Maine Republican Party at the Republican National Convention. They came from many different walks of life, representing the diversity of the Republican Party. They range in age from juniors in college to senior citizens.

This years’ Portland Husky Fest proved a doggone, good time not only for the students, but also for the faculty and staff. The sun and blue sky were out in full force, as opposed to last year’s rained out Husky Fest, making the welcome-back event easy to enjoy.

Hushed conversation in Portland’s Sullivan Gym lapsed suddenly into silence as Lavinia Gelineau appeared at the back of the room. She advanced slowly on the arm of a man in a green ceremonial U.S. Army uniform, signaling the beginning of her husband’s funeral.

This year’s student commencement speaker is Sandra Hammel Rivard, a social and behavioral science major and a resident of Brunswick, Maine. Rivard was selected out of 12 applicants based on the quality of her speech, her academic success and her community involvement.

Tensions flared and rumors were dispelled last Tuesday when University of Maine System Chancellor Joseph Westphal fielded questions from USM faculty, staff and students during a day-long series of meetings in the Glickman Library. Westphal was visiting to answer questions and gather input concerning the University of Maine System Strategic Plan, which was released last month in draft form.

Since Coffee by Design, the small chain of Portland coffeehouses, opened in 1994 it has welcomed customers and their dogs alike. After an anonymous customer complaint the chain, which will be celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, will have to abandon the time-honored pet friendly policy.

On Saturday, May 15, 9 a.m. at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, the commencement ceremony for USM’s 2004 graduates will take place. This annual event usually lasts until 12 p.m. The student commencement speaker will be Sandra Hammel Rivard, a senior social and behavioral science major.

During the waning days of the spring semester, USM seniors are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. After enduring many years of the collegiate gauntlet, students will feel primed to don their mortarboards and ceremoniously march into the real world.

Nearly one quarter of women in the United States are victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse. By the time you have finished reading this article, another person in America will have been victimized by sexual assault.

Take Back the Night is an international rally and march meant to unite men, women, children and families to promote awareness of domestic and sexual violence in society.

USM Police have secured the ability to work outside of University property in Gorham under special circumstances and USM Police Chief Lisa Beecher says she is working to extend that arrangement to Portland and the other towns that lie between the two campuses.