By: Julie Pike, Editor-in-Chief USM students Kelsey Earley and Mary Swanson were picked to join the Student Veterans of America (SVA) at their annual Leadership Institute in Washington D.C. this past week, the USM Communications department announced in a press released last Wednesday. Earley, a senior who served in the Navy, and Swanson, a sophomore…
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Surging student enrollment increases housing
By Liz Trudel, Staff Writer This semester many USM residential students have found themselves in an “enhanced occupancy” living predicament. USM’s surging applicant numbers have resulted in crowded living spaces, especially within the largest freshmen-designated building: Upton-Hastings Hall. Residential Life has placed three students in dorms built for two and six students in dorms built…
New learning program helps students learn better
By Katie Prior, Staff Writer USM’s goal in many recent decisions has highlighted one unified goal: to ensure the success of our student body. The most recent development in this area is a learning-assistance program called Academic Gains through Improved Learning Effectiveness (AGILE). AGILE was created out of the growing understanding of the multiplicity of…
Free tuition part one: status and possibilities
By: Valerie Kazarian, Staff Writer With the 2018 midterm election only two months away, the issue of free tuition is again being discussed. In Maine, organizations interested in Maine’s growth and development recognize that tuition relief is a desired goal but solutions seem to be elusive. The University of Maine System (UMS) has recognized the…
History and creativity in book arts display
By: Elliot Caron, Staff Writer Book arts offers the opportunity for all students to bring out a unique form of creativity within the art community that can’t be found anywhere else at USM. USM is celebrating 12 years of their summer book arts program. This program allows artists to explore an art form that few…
Free Friday concert begins a Fall of diverse offerings
By Jacob Forbes, Staff Writer This Friday, USM kicks off its Convocation event-series with a free concert open to the public at 4:30 p.m. on the Payson-Smith Lawn. The concert will feature Sabouyouma, an Afro-Funk group based in Vermont, M.A.K.U. Soundsystem, an NYC-based pan-Latino party band, USM student performers and the Philadelphia-based rapper-singer Ivy Soul….
Exciting events happening at USM
By Maureen Puia, PR/Events Promotion Associate Below is just a teaser of the many events happening in the week ahead at USM. September 21 USM Convocation kicks off this Friday afternoon at 4:30 with Waking Windows at USM! Gather up friends and family and make your way to the Payson Smith Lawn on the Portland Campus…
USM timely warning
By Noel C. March, Chief of Police USM TIMELY WARNING DATE: 9/16/2018 USM Public Safety CRIME ALERT Crime Alerts are posted in an effort to make the USM Community aware of any situation that poses a potential threat to the safety and wellbeing of those who live, work, study and visit the campus. By keeping you…
Anti-registry protestor condemns President Cummings’ decision to remove sex offender’s artwork.
By Liz Trudel, Staff Writer Sex-offender-rights activists took to the sidewalk outside Wishcamper last Monday to criticize USM President Glenn Cummings for his decision to remove three paintings by a registered sex offender. Bruce Habowski, 51, of Waterville, Maine, had his paintings removed from an art exhibition called “Industrial Maine: Our Other Landscape” in Lewiston-Auburn last…
Working on Wellness: Don’t be a sleep slouch
By Lisa Belanger, Director of Health Services Do you routinely get seven to nine hours of sleep per night? If you answered no, you are by no means alone. The World Health Organization and the National Sleep Foundation report that two-thirds of adults in developed nations fail to get the recommended amount of nightly sleep. “So…
Sustainability & ME: Starting small and looking forward
By Chelsea Malacara, Sustainability Education & Outreach Coordinator For us in the Office of Sustainability, a new school year means new opportunities to involve the USM community in exciting sustainability initiatives. But it also means picking up where we left off on projects that began during the last school year and continuing those that we started…
A week to support one another and reach out
By Marx Aldrich, Arts & Culture Editor This article discusses topics of suicide and mental health. It is understood that this may impact everyone differently. To connect with university support resources call the University Counseling Center at 207-780-4050. A list of other local and state resources and support can be found at the end of…
Food for thought to begin the new school year
By Valerie Kazarian, Staff Writer As students, we all have a lot on our minds right now. The start of the school year is exciting and nerve-wracking for the new and returning students alike and we have lots of questions. What room will I be in? What books do I need? Do I really have…
Evangelist speaker on campus to kick off first day
By Liz Trudel, Staff Writer On the first day of classes last Tuesday, USM students were met by an evangelist on the Portland campus. The traveling speaker spoke against students’ religion, clothing, sexual orientation and gender identity based on his religious beliefs. The speaker, who identified himself as Daniel Rusk, commenced his demonstration on the…
CSGD and Multicultural Center combined into the Student Diversity Centers in Portland and Gorham
By Jessica Pike, Staff Writer The Multicultural Student Affairs office has changed their name to Intercultural Student Engagement (ISE), with hopes of representing and advocating for students in their intersectional identities. The new Student Diversity Centers are spaces on campus where people of different ability, class, ethnicity, gender identity, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation and…
Portland music and performance venues
By Sam Perry, Staff Writer Fans of the performing arts will appreciate the variety of on-stage performances throughout the city of Portland. As a hub of New England culture, Portland offers something for everyone. Several venues even offer budget-friendly pricing. Theater enthusiasts rejoice in discounted tickets at One Longfellow Square. Located in the west end…
Sunny Side Up: Gorham listed as 16th safest college town in U.S.
By Julie Pike, Editor-in-chief In a list of the 50 safest college towns in America published by Safewise, Gorham got the 16th spot. They looked into the FBI’s 2016 crime data to see what towns had the best safety records. Gorham was chosen partly for its low crime rate, but also for acts of kindness…
Week of Welcome Events Calendar
From USM Student Activities & Involvement Sunday, September 2nd Joel Meyers Magician and Illusionist – 9:00 PM Hill Gym, Costello Fitness Complex, Gorham Monday, September 3rd Black Panther Movie Screening – 8:00 PM Hodgdon Field, Gorham (Rain location: Hill Gym, Costello Fitness Complex) Tuesday, September 4th Welcome Tables – Various times, all campuses Greek Night…
Earn extra cash at school with work-study
By Alexandra Platts, Student Employment Specialist Federal Work Study is awarded as part of an eligible student’s financial aid package. These jobs are a great way for students to earn money working on campus while developing professional skills and connecting with peers, faculty, and staff. To view a complete list of available Federal Work Study…
12 books every college student should read
By USM Library Staff The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative By Florence Williams Staff Recommender: Sarah Lucchesi, Learning Services Librarian Sometimes the best thing you can do for your schoolwork is to give your brain a break. This book explores the benefits of a little time in nature, which…
Your guide to Portland and Gorham campus locations
The two most common campus locations can be intimidating, which means you can get lost more than once trying to find your destination. Here is a simple guide to help you find your way. 1. THE FREE PRESS Our office is one of the small white buildings located next to the parking garage. We share…
More than just books, the library is there to help
By Naamah Jarnot, Coordinator of Tutoring Services Sarah Lucchesi, Learning Services Librarian Bill Grubb, Coordinator of Reference & Instruction David Nutty, Director of Libraries and University Librarian Paul Dexter, Director of Academic Retention Initiatives College is fun, but when you have multiple assignments due at once a little friendly help and the right resources from…
Advising Welcomes You, and the Role of Advising
By Janis Albright, Advisor We are excited to continue our Advising Advice column in the Free Press and welcome you to the new fall semester at USM. The column’s purpose is to help you use your advising resources. Weekly topics written by students, faculty advisors, advisors and staff should cover many of your academic questions….
Welcome back from Health & Counseling
By Hilarie Fotter, School Psychology Doctoral Student Welcome new and returning USM students, staff and faculty! We hope you had a restful and rejuvenating summer and we join you in the excitement of gearing-up for another school year. University Health and Counseling Services endeavors to act as a resource for the entire USM community: students,…