By Julz Levesque | Arts & Culture Editor On September 16th the CMS department invited the students of USM to a beginning-of-the-year welcome event in Wishcamper on the Portland campus. I would know because I received an email which piqued my interest, and immediately I decided to go. So there I was, walking into room…
Category: Perspectives
Headlights Hindering Vision
LED headlights have been increasing in popularity over the years, but they are also causing issues on the road. By: Cayley Bowman, Community Editor I think everyone is aware of LED headlights—those bright blue (purple, yellow, green) lights that practically blind you when you pass them on the road, especially at night. Although they…
Student Opinion Piece: Campus Police Body Cameras
USM Students Share Their Opinions on Campus Police Body Cameras Being Introduced to the University By: Chris Tiner, News Editor In February, the Editor-in-Chief of the Free Press Dakota Eddy reported on campus police announcing they are investing in new body camera technology. In that article, the discussion was around how this was proposed back…
Who’s independence do we celebrate on the fourth of July?
By T Smith, Free Press Contributor Although it only became a federal holiday in 1941, the celebration of the Fourth of July, formally known as Independence Day, dates back to the American Revolution. This day is a celebration of the fact that on July 4th, 1776, “delegates from 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence,”…
Ben There, Done That: Got the Grad Cap
Hello, Free Press readers! My name is Ben Reed, and I have been the Arts & Culture Editor of The Free Press for this whole academic year. Previously, I was simply a staff writer, and wrote a column called, “Ben There, Done That.” As you’re probably aware, that is the name of this current article…
What’s Going On in Pop Culture
There is a lot “Popping” off in pop culture today, and don’t worry, I have tea. From Beyoncé’s extravagant Renaissance concert tickets costing a life savings, to AI being on the rise and creeping the entire population out with replications of their favorite artists’ voices, to the infamous festival called Coachella that all the known…
Letter From Our President – Spring ’23
This month marks one year since I was first announced as president of the University of Southern Maine. To say it has been one of the most exciting and fulfilling times of my life would be an understatement. My husband Michael and I have been so warmly welcomed. We are both humbled by the extraordinary…
Embracing Change and Preparing for Future Transitions
Transitions are an integral part of life: the changing of the seasons, moving, ending of relationships, the ending of an academic year, changing jobs, and graduating college. Small or large, life transitions have the potential to become significant memories and milestones. While these transitions can often be positive and sometimes exciting, they are inherently a…
Party Smart/ Party Safe
We all know that everyone loves a good party–the music, the dancing, the vibes and making friends! But if substances are involved, it is always a smart idea to be aware and take precautions so that everyone has a safe and fun night! Know Your Limits When you’re out drinking with friends it is very…
WHAT IS CREDIT?
Many of you might have heard the term credit or credit score or FICO score. How do credit or credit scores affect your life? What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a good credit score? Understanding these questions is essential for financial wellness and using credit cards effectively. Credit allows people to purchase goods…
Weed and Its Wonders
Some people know it as cannabis, some people know it as Mary Jane. Many also may know it as pot or ganja, but for me personally, the word “weed” sounds like music to my ears. For years, weed has been in the spotlight. However, it was not always used to get “high.” According to History.com,…
Perspectives From Biology
Thomas Grebouski, Contributor Despite being tasked with having a hand in saving the world, our peers in the sciences don’t wear capes. They wear pants, and they put them on one leg at a time like the rest of us. One difference is that sometimes those pants are waterproof waders, and we find our main…
The Matrix
By Kayla Hoggard – Staff Writer Living in a world of lies where everyone wants to waste time, but never wants to take the time to open their eyes. In this world we live in secrets held, justice not given. Sometimes I just sit back and think about the children. Things need to change. News outlets…
Budgeting: 101
You do not have to be a finance major or an accountant to make a budget, you just need to keep track of income and expenses. Learning to budget is a key to having good financial management and financial success. In budgeting, you need two things: an income and basic expenses. And who doesn’t have…
Opinion: The Call is Coming from Inside the House
It was around middle or high school when I first saw gay people on screen. For myself and many other people in our generation, those gay people in question were Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson from Glee (2009). As someone who was on the cusp of realizing they were queer, seeing gay people on screen…
When in Rome
Since my freshman year at USM, my best friend, Bethany Desrosiers and I have used the term “friendship field trip” to describe an excursion that creates a fun memory for the two of us to reminisce on later. It includes going to Old Orchard to meet with photographers for her budding modeling career, or going…
Financial Goal Setting
According to the American Psychological Association, a survey conducted in 2017 on what most Americans stress about indicates that 62% of Americans stressed money. Another survey by the Federal Reserve Board indicates, almost half of Americans could not cover a $400 emergency bill without borrowing money or selling something. These are scary statistics to digest….
Choices?
In College, we can explore our interests, work towards our goals, and plan for our futures. It’s a time to meet new people, socialize and make our own choices. Socializing at college provides emotional and academic support. Choosing how to have fun and de-stress matters. Some students use alcohol and cannabis as a way to…
Financial Wellness + iGrab with Abshiro Ali
My name is Abshiro Ali and I’m a graduate student at the school of Nursing. I work at the Financial Aid Department as a Graduate Assistant promoting Financial Wellness for University of Southern Maine students, staff, and alumni. What does financial Wellness mean? Financial wellness is understanding of your personal finances and goals, and using that…
Ben There, Done That: Can online school please be back in person?
As a freshman in 2020, I knew walking into USM that I would be online. For that first semester, everything was fine; I found enjoyment in attending my classes from the comfort of my dorm room and was enjoying making friends with those who lived down the hall. Although I wasn’t able to learn in…
Getting Outside The Therapy Room
By: Working on Wellness USM Counseling Services provides individual and group counseling, crisis services, and supports students being referred to psychiatry and local mental health providers but clinical services are not all that’s offered. Outreach, Education, & Prevention at USM Counseling is about getting outside of the therapy room and bringing mental health into the…
Self-Care. What is it, really?
By: Anna Gardner LCPC, LADC Self-care has become a buzzword in recent years, particularly as the nation has faced a global pandemic and all the stress that comes with it. When the pandemic is added to academics, work, family, and a variety of other stressors; coping with stress becomes a top priority. Self-care is also…
More than Just the Sum
By: Keith Danner LCPC, LADC Most of us have heard of the mind-body connection before but there is so much more. Each person has many dimensions or aspects of themselves that seamlessly interact together. There are so many interpretations of the Whole Person concept out there. This interpretation expands on the idea that even though…
Why is everything about COVID so messy?
By: Amy Hinshaw, FNP Interim Director Health Services What does a USM student do if they test positive for COVID-19? Boy, do I know this answer well! But do you, the staff students and faculty of USM know the answer? What if you had to look it up? In writing this article, I had to…