Category: News

It may sound trite but in the world of volunteerism one person can make a difference. Rodney Mondor, assistant dean of student life, is familiar with this concept. For the past eight years he has held the title of volunteer event coordinator for a Thanksgiving dinner sponsored by the United Way.

Thanksgiving is one of the few truly American holidays. Thanksgiving is in a class of its own. When asked what their favorite holiday of all is, many students choose Thanksgiving over Christmas. Though no one gets presents, people are generally filled to the brim with satisfaction.

Weekly news briefs

Report of crime on campus, culled from USM’s police logs.

A report of this week’s happenings at the Student Senate meeting

People don,t always make the best choices, especially on college campuses. For many students college is the first opportunity they have had to live alone and do what they please, when they please.

The parking routine will take a drastic change for most of the campus community. Ground breaking for the parking garage will begin in early January. When the Bedford Street lot loses 350 spaces, only 175 spaces will be available for parking. The plans are for the construction of the 1,200-car garage to be completed by the spring semester of 2004. Until then, parking on the Portland campus will be messy.

It is a fact that some sexual offenders are released back into the public. It is often believed that these individuals have been rehabilitated in state facilities. However, rehabilitated sex offenders can also lapse back into their old habits.

Last Wednesday in the Woodbury Campus Center, sociology professor Dr. Michael Kimmel, author of “The Gendered Society” and “Manhood in America,” urged his audience to “live the refutation of that book.” He argued in his lecture “Mars, Venus, or Planet Earth” that the commonalities between the sexes far outweigh the supposed differences.

In the days leading up to the Tuesday night election, many people who had worked hard during the campaign process were left to wonder if their hard work would result in victory. For some the results were in their favor. But for others, the election results brought with them a difficult realization – their candidate had lost.

A report of crime on campus, based on this week’s USM police logs

A report of happenings of this week’s student senate meeting

Last Tuesday two lectures on the effects of hangovers were held on the Gorham campus. The lectures were overseen by Robin Hoose, coordinator of the fitness center, office of recreational sports. Stephanie Dubois, senior health fitness major, ran the lecture in Anderson Hall.

Condom use has long been advocated as a nearly foolproof way to prevent the contracting of sexually transmitted diseases. But new research indicates this may not be the case. The Medical Institute for Sexual Health (MISH) recently released a scientific report called “Sex, Condoms, and STDs: What We Now Know.” The report reviews new research findings and suggests that even 100 percent condom use does not eliminate the risk of contracting any STD, even HIV.

Some members of the USM community have found an environmentally friendly alternative for travelling to and from the Portland campus: they’re riding bicycles.

Unfounded rumors have been circulating about the possibility of eliminating the media studies program from USM’s curriculum. These rumors began with an administrative question that morphed into an exploration of possibilities to strengthen the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), which houses both the communications department and the media studies program.

USM’s Interfaith Programs and Services has taken a stand against the bigotry by setting up an event called, “Understanding Islam.” This event will give all students a chance to understand Islam instead of judging the religion and its followers.

The Parking and Transportation committee comprised of student representatives, faculty and staff are making progressive steps to make a smooth transition for the USM community. In the months ahead when construction begins for the parking garage, the Portland campus will have limited parking areas.

Weekly news briefs

Student Senate update

Crime report on campus, based on the police logs of USM PD

University of Maine System Chancellor Joseph Westphal is percolating a plan that might combine Maine’s higher education systems into one board of trustees. If this were implemented, USM and Southern Maine Technical College (SMTC) would be governed under one board of trustees.

Peter Cianchette’s experience as a businessman and how that can be translated into economic government is one of the key factors in his campaign for governor of Maine.

WMPG serves the USM and Greater Portland Community, Maine and the even the entire nation through the World Wide Web. As a community radio station, it thrives on listener support. The station depends on its on-air fundraiser for a quarter of its annual operating budget as well as portions coming from the student activity fee; underwriting and grants, said Tom Flynn, development director at WMPG.