[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6279659,"mediaKeyId","2621675-3ab7b45ccffa55bdf40430938d84e742","parentId",2621675,"title","UMaine System trustees approve 90‑credit pilot, free‑speech policy, capital projects and other measures","audioSeconds",600,"startMs",12600000,"endMs",13200000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2621675-3ab7b45ccffa55bdf40430938d84e742&start=12600&end=13200","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2621675-3ab7b45ccffa55bdf40430938d84e742/thumbnail_12600000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6279659/Maine/UMaine-System-trustees-approve-90credit-pilot-freespeech-policy-capital-projects-and-other-measures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279659-caec1630e0480258fe9b9e2cd112a7b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775040304&Signature=JAZvDcLT~Lb71X03NCKfQgMMSGuDVf6AyR5KvRKzX05bAAC-ky87YSfHXTZ8YI60M1DMVjB09zejhWJioyCdjtc9CDrv1GVfouBC-p2Y1F6azsAMsozZJ~gmfK2m3yTqYMR1kjXGzCJMcrlaGVbBiJQ~6I82VqTNtPXBFCxvODR6TvDjLzu1zbOlVrVzz~ap5osECT09chRGneGPNRB5gb-F~JY-X437jRP0VaInlAm-aX5ajH9jW5M9YxZ8YHviyHCXCHwYytRJxafHICcil00WHgmAIyny4SyLPeLlh3ixr9T2Co7Wv0~zY95O-hqZ0ZWHZ9wvZMXlszgHN67a4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","UMS Board of Trustees","date","2025-03-10T00:00:00Z","article","The University of Maine System Board of Trustees at its March meeting approved a package of governance and capital actions that included development of up to five 90‑credit applied bachelor’s degree programs for adult degree completers, final adoption of Board Policy 2.12 on free speech, and authorization of two capital projects in Portland and at the University of Southern Maine.

The board authorized the system to develop and submit up to five 90‑credit applied bachelor’s degree programs for consideration by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) in fall 2025. Presidents and provosts will prepare program proposals; trustees approved a set of safeguards that exclude first‑time, traditional‑age undergraduates and limit the initial pilot to returning adult degree completers. The board voted unanimously to move forward with the NECHE submission timeline.

Trustees also adopted an edited Board Policy 2.12, titled \"Free Speech, Academic Freedom, and Civility,\" after several board meetings and consultations with presidents, faculty representatives and students. Trustee Alexander presented the final edits and the board approved the policy as presented.

On capital projects, the board approved a financing and reimbursement resolution allowing the University of Southern Maine to purchase Steinway pianos and related costs for the Cruz Center for the Arts with project expenditures up to $2.8 million. Separately, the board authorized the Maine Center (Maine Graduate and Professional Center) to spend up to $8.5 million for renovations and capital improvements at the Maine Center in Portland; funding sources include state capital improvement allocations and congressional directed spending secured last year.

Other governance items approved included the FY2027 board and committee meeting calendar; appointments of student representatives to the board; standard operating procedure edits on the consent-agenda process; and the annual tenure approvals (54 faculty awarded tenure by campus procedures). The board also approved a tenure‑at‑time‑of‑hire appointment recommended by the University of Southern Maine president. Several votes were described in the meeting as unanimous.

Board motions and outcomes (at a glance):

- Approval: Board and committee meeting calendar for FY2027 — Moved by Trustee Kane; seconded by Trustee Eames; approved.
- Approval: Final adoption of Board Policy 2.12 (Free Speech, Academic Freedom, and Civility) — Moved by Trustee Alexander; seconded; approved.
- Approval: Standard operating procedure edits on consent agenda items — moved and approved.
- Approval: Appointments of student representatives — motion moved and approved.
- Approval: Development/submission of up to five 90‑credit applied bachelor’s programs for NECHE — moved by Trustee Martin; seconded by Trustee Kane; approved unanimously.
- Approval: Finance resolution for Steinway pianos and reimbursement (USM/Cruz Center) — approved (project authorization up to $2.8M).
- Approval: Maine Center renovations and spending authorization — approved (authorization up to $8.5M; funding mix: state capital funds, congressional directed spending, Maine Center reserves).
- Approval: Tenure recommendations (54 candidates) and tenure‑at‑time‑of‑hire — approved.

Ending: Trustees said the decisions reflect a mix of strategic experimentation (the 90‑credit pilot), updated governance (free‑speech policy and consent‑agenda clarifications), and targeted capital investments. Presidents and system staff will continue to present implementation plans to appropriate committees and return to the board with progress updates.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","UMS Board of Trustees Meeting - March 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The University of Maine System Board of Trustees at its March meeting approved development of up to five 90‑credit applied bachelor’s programs for adult degree completers, finalized a revised free‑speech policy, and authorized two capital projects totaling up to $11.3 million in spending authorizations.","taxTitle","University of Maine System UMS Board of Trustees, 2025 Board of Trustees Meeting, School Districts, Maine","taxId",79506,"location","Maine","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6279664,"Graduate student speakers warn UMaine System trustees cuts to assistantships and federal research funding threaten R1 research pipeline",835,313000,1148000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2621675-3ab7b45ccffa55bdf40430938d84e742&start=313&end=1148","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2621675-3ab7b45ccffa55bdf40430938d84e742/thumbnail_313000.jpg","/articles/6279664/Maine/Graduate-student-speakers-warn-UMaine-System-trustees-cuts-to-assistantships-and-federal-research-funding-threaten-R1-research-pipeline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279664-06e3bbb862c2cd50aacdd288ec1d85b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775040304&Signature=mhv2CeVrbTgqtuHw1TE3U3eCgFGcTlUyVy4VOPCzWGN4EOyhUbo17VvaMTQaNEGT4x-bbJfwGcKrsGZfCGRtJ4tW09A2IPXSjBEGFLCw~Ehur2E~2c1fOA-P4LXD3G6BHdMQUQ9z~EthDuW~vAdQzR8BHxv69rxDyo6bcR92tfUlcMDJEitiFxLZhbV5m1SljOE6Nz28uA4R~Y9Wt6YFeWWu351VDyzuhRXQYR2UsbhUyK5qHTInh~tMykwp6wFaLC-QdA0gW1AjrPHVFIEeNKONJ5cwhK541dZEUZceHhFKCZDv31-92zZAuVNZKtKCvsgBEFo823KKaeRVAyoAlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple graduate students, several of whom said they hold teaching assistantships or research assistant positions, told the University of Maine System Board of Trustees that current funding levels put the system’s research capacity and R1 status at risk.

Eric Brown, who identified himself as a fourth‑year Ph.D. worker in ecology and environmental sciences, said his stipend is $27,000 before taxes and said many colleagues live on lower minimum stipends. \"When we compare the resources provided to graduate workers here with those at public universities in our region like the universities of New Hampshire and Vermont, the minimum compensation when accounting for benefits for a grad worker here comes up about $7,000 to $8,000 short,\" Brown said.

Other speakers described similar strains. Sophie Craig, a Ph.D. candidate in the Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, said cuts to teaching assistantships reduced departments’ capacity to offer graduate positions and compelled remaining graduate TAs to work more hours for the same pay. \"Reducing TA positions means that we will have fewer people to do the same amount of work,\" Craig said, linking reduced TA support to fewer admitted and graduating Ph.D. students and to long‑term risks for the university’s designation as an R1 research institution.

Miranda Satius, a first‑year master’s student in ecology and a member of the Graduate Workers Union, said her TA stipend is $17,000 a year and that level of support makes continuing to a Ph.D. elsewhere more attractive.

Speakers asked the board and system leaders to pursue designated state funding to shore up graduate assistantship support, to maintain faculty capacity for research mentoring, and to guard international students whose immigration status depends on campus positions. Several speakers connected stable graduate funding to the system’s ability to secure federal grants and the indirect costs those grants return to campuses.

Trustees did not take formal action on graduate‑worker compensation during the meeting. System presidents and provosts noted the concern and said they are monitoring federal research funding and enrollment trends; graduate‑worker speakers said they will continue advocacy and asked for a clearer commitment to funding from the system and state.

Ending: Graduate students left the meeting urging the board to secure dedicated funding streams to sustain assistantships and to preserve the pipeline that supports campus research and teaching. Trustees acknowledged the concerns and said campus leaders are reviewing budget and recruitment strategies.","Graduate students and teaching assistants told trustees that low stipends, shrinking TA positions and uncertainty over federal research grants threaten recruitment and the University of Maine System’s R1 research capacity.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6279668,"Students urge UMaine System trustees to adopt Jerusalem Declaration, press divestment from companies linked to Israel",2408,72000,2480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2621675-3ab7b45ccffa55bdf40430938d84e742&start=72&end=2480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2621675-3ab7b45ccffa55bdf40430938d84e742/thumbnail_72000.jpg","/articles/6279668/Maine/Students-urge-UMaine-System-trustees-to-adopt-Jerusalem-Declaration-press-divestment-from-companies-linked-to-Israel","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6279668-c0cebefa4ccf56cc5890b6cef5b8245e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775040304&Signature=iek~VzC0sJvRpyvBXiC02zMcL2Plcr9pQg6fcsRz3kPxWD8cWQqb~qIt9iTfkLhveSmUGp2TTMhhJBKysV5ZIdB-Cq93hcZictA6eo9TrUbFyIh8RQgMibYSWOWjNG-63azPCz5gjo3bH~mLTGFVvru-XoAvdZe16KeRNZByzzy6Z6uLwiFwPsH0PixKILQ7F6HzwwSKoH1o3-yUJeZVUaYfBEteVbhf-ZE-Ctjjc2fTeEzsZodx8FpH5V5lUPuYv0W-pW70Fofr64K4j4lOSDJIKStyC9ea4xcecOv1pmdbmeTvaMK9Pg2X0BqYFvnrv4r~IW59Kk~DuGkJuNmm8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of students and community members told the University of Maine System Board of Trustees on March 3 that the board should adopt the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism and reconsider the system’s investments in companies they said enable Israeli policy in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.

The public commenters argued the declaration would protect Jewish students while clarifying the distinction between antisemitism and criticism of Israel, and several speakers urged divestment from roughly $1.6 million the speakers said the system currently holds in companies they identified as complicit.

Willow Cunningham, a graduate student in the Computer Engineering Department and organizer with Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), said Executive Order 14,188 and related White House language threaten campus speech and could be used to target student protesters. \"The White House fact sheet for this order describes protesters as pro Hamas aliens and left wing radicals and threatens to deport them,\" Cunningham said, asking trustees to adopt the Jerusalem Declaration to protect student activists.

Talia Cullum, a secondary education major and president of the University of Maine chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace, told trustees she and other students worry that federal pressure could chill campus advocacy and urged the board to \"follow [Governor Mills'] lead and be bravely defiant.\" She and other speakers compared their request to the system’s 1982 divestment from companies doing business in apartheid South Africa.

Several speakers cited outside rulings and reports in support of their arguments. Jamila LaVasseur referenced a recent International Court of Justice finding about Israel's presence in occupied territory; Gracie Gable said the board lacks an institutional definition of antisemitism and that adopting the Jerusalem Declaration would provide that clarity for students and administrators.

Community members also pressed trustees on specific holdings. Connie Jenkins of Belfast cited investments in General Dynamics and described its role supplying munitions used in Israeli strikes, saying that divestment is not antisemitic but an effort to promote peace.

Trustees had earlier told student organizers that the board would not revisit a prior decision on divestment unless the \"context has changed,\" and multiple speakers explicitly asked if the recent federal executive actions and international developments constituted a change in context that should reopen the board’s prior decision.

The trustees took no formal action on the request during the meeting. Several student speakers said they would continue to press the issue through petitions, alumni outreach and by publicizing the board’s decisions.

Ending: Speakers asked the trustees to recognize the perceived immediacy of the situation and to create clearer guidance protecting students’ free expression while distinguishing antisemitism from political speech. Trustees said they would continue to review materials and stay in touch with campus leadership about free-speech policy changes being proposed by system staff.","More than a dozen students and community members urged the University of Maine System Board of Trustees to adopt the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism and to divest roughly $1.6 million the system holds in companies they say are complicit in Israeli actions in Gaza and the occupied territories.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

UMaine System trustees approve 90‑credit pilot, free‑speech policy, capital projects and other measures

Graduate student speakers warn UMaine System trustees cuts to assistantships and federal research funding threaten R1 research pipeline

Students urge UMaine System trustees to adopt Jerusalem Declaration, press divestment from companies linked to Israel