An armed USM student has barricaded himself inside the Sigma Nu fraternity house at 24 School st. and threatened to hurt himself, authorities say. All other students have been removed from the building. The student, whose name is not being released, was intoxicated when he entered the house and was belligerent toward other fraternity brothers. They left…
Author: USM
Former USM student body president arrested for arson
Former USM student body president, resident assistant and fraternity member TJ Williams was arrested at the home of his parents in Mexico, ME on Monday on two counts of arson. According to a statement released by Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, the fire was set in a recycling closet on…
Our Opinion: Maine’s extreme weather linked to climate change?
So let’s talk about the weather. We know, we know–not the most inspired conversation starter, but this time it’s about more than just weather. It may just be about climate change. Last week saw 45 degrees at times, uncommonly warm, but remember last semester when it felt like the snow-pocalypse had started? USM saw its…
We’re back, and it’s not so bad
Winter break for college students is one of the best and worst times of the year. We welcome it as a much-appreciated respite, and the beginning of the semester is always looming ahead of us. But in the end, I know I’m glad to be back. After a week of grueling finals, it’s a sigh…
Project takes root at USM
By: Tyler Kidder Here at USM we are always working to lighten our carbon footprint in creative ways including establishing sustainable landscapes right on our campuses. In the spring of 2011, the Office of Sustainability teamed up with the Grounds Department and the Department of Environmental Science and Policy to plant a small heirloom fruit…
Alumni artists return for campus exhibition
A new semester has begun and with it an opportunity to enjoy art from former students with a new exhibition in the AREA Gallery of the Woodbury campus center entitled Transitions: Juried Art Alumni. It opened last Thursday to a reception of students, professors and alumni artists. The gallery is part of a series of…
50 years in education
By: Robert McClure At 75, George Burk stands over six feet tall, a gentle giant whose size is only outdone by his kind nature and love for teaching. And now, after nearly 50 years of teaching, USM associate professor of painting and drawing, Burk has retired. He is an accomplished painter and sculptor, whose resume…
Local Review: Farewell Drifters following played-out trend
Tomorrow Forever, set to be released next Tuesday, shows The Farewell Drifters in the midst of development. The tracks off of Tomorrow Forever stick close to the folk-rock sound that has risen to prominence in recent years. Ambient drums are mixed with driving rhythms, strummed mandolin and acoustic guitar are matched with loud vocals. Electric…
Quick Hits
Men’s Hockey USM ties Skidmore late 2-2 The men’s hockey team came back after being down 2-0 early to tie the game in the third. Neither team scored in overtime, giving the team their fifth tie of the season, and leaving them with a record of 4-7-5. The team’s next game is at St. Michael’s…
ARAMARK adds local flavor to Portland dining
Students who regularly find themselves having to grab a quick bite to eat in the Woodbury Campus Center between classes or before they catch the bus will have quite a few new options this semester, as ARAMARK has spent the winter break renovating the dining area and rethinking their service. Last Monday, ARAMARK opened for…
Bailey flood washed clean
USM’s libraries don’t normally close for long weekends, but over the Martin Luther King Day weekend, Gorham’s Bailey Hall Library took advantage of the lack of classes to make some much needed repairs. On the morning of Jan. 4 during a routine walkthrough of the building, a member of the USM facilities management department discovered…
USM budget gap estimate widens
In the weeks between the initial presentation of USM’s budget on Nov. 15 and Dec. 9, when the estimate was revised, the structural gap between the funds available and the funds required to keep the university running for the coming year has grown from $11.9 million to $13.9 million. Dick Campbell, USM’s chief financial officer,…
USM bids spring students welcome
To kick off the spring semester, several students donned bright blue and yellow scarves to signal to new students that they were welcome ambassadors for USM. These 50 volunteers, primarily from the Board of Student Organizations and Student Senate, wore the scarves as an indicator that they were available to answer questions about the school….
USM rings in the holiday season
The holiday season is exciting, with presents, food and drinks, winter break and a little quality time with the family. Many USM students have at least one quirky holiday tradition or twist on a classic tradition to look forward to when they’re celebrating the season. A lot of times, old-fashioned holiday activities that our ancestors…
Student involvement rises despite falling funding
As student enrollment drops, students become more involved Participation in student groups and organizations has been on the rise, and group members, along with Student Life faculty, are encouraging students to get involved to make more connections in the university community and to build skills that will transfer to future careers. Jason Saucier, director of…
The Free Press: Top 5 gifts for under $20
With the holidays fast approaching, it can be hard to figure out what to get for everyone on your list. There are the big players—family, close friends, but what about that girl down the hall who you didn’t think you were that close with, but who got you something? What about your lab partner who…
Looking ahead: Must-listen winter releases
1. Bruce Springsteen High Hopes Due out Jan. 14, High Hopes is a highly anticipated album. With guitar work coming from Tom Morello, and a few tracks with deceased sax player, Clarence Clemons, this album is not one to be missed. The title track, released in November as a single, presents Springsteen in a modern…
Portland catches a case of those winter brews
Although we haven’t seen any significant snowfall yet in Portland, we’ve definitely felt the cold chill of the season. While many warm up with a hot cocoa or peppermint coffee, others choose to celebrate with the return of another seasonal beverage––Maine winter beers. This time of the year, Portland’s bars and restaurants stock up with…
Legislators urge students to speak up at USM EDTalks
While the future of education is a topic generating much debate at USM, getting involved shouldn’t be. The event, spearheaded by Student Body Vice President Marpheen Chann and sponsored by several other campus organizations, was a forum in which state legislators spoke about the future of higher education in Maine, fielding questions from the audience,…
USM’s 14th Annual Royal Majesty Drag Show And Competition Photos
Budget estimates demand reaction
In the face of a potential shortfall of $11.9 million for fiscal year 2015, university officials stand behind the work of the Direction Package advisory board as the best way forward. Besides the $5 million in cuts the university is making to meet budget in the current fiscal year, Chief Financial Office Dick Campbell also…
Languages and classics disband and reorganize
All of the classes and the three majors associated with the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures are still running after the department was effectively dissolved in late October. While ‘dissolving a department’ may sound like another cut, the move was largely organizational, and left the majors intact. No courses and none of…
University and faculty union near agreement
An agreement on faculty union contracts may be closer than it has been in two and a half years after a tentative agreement was reached in November. The proposed contract covers a four year span, including the past two and a half years and a year and half into the future. “I feel like we’re…
Ban conflicts with Gorham lifestyle
Students are still taking issue with the implementation of USM’s tobacco ban in Gorham since the university went tobacco-free last year. Students at USM want to see administration work and listen to them to make the tobacco ban more suited to the needs of the Gorham campus. In the second semester since USM put its…