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UMA outlines statewide centers, urges more data on costs and utilization
Summary
University of Maine at Augusta presented an extensive review of off-site locations, centers and partnerships across the state; trustees requested staffing-cost breakdowns, unique-student counts (not 'touches') and lease analyses to assess cost-effectiveness and future footprints.
The University of Maine at Augusta presented a detailed briefing on its statewide footprint, describing owned campuses, leased centers and partnerships that serve adult and vulnerable learners, workforce training and prison-education programs.
UMA leaders told trustees the system owns two campuses plus other properties totaling roughly 367,000 square feet and leases roughly 142,000 square feet to preserve flexibility. UMA highlighted mission-driven services at various locations: a dental hub in Lewiston supported in part by a Delta Dental donation, Hangar 6 in Brunswick supporting aviation and uncrewed-aircraft systems programs, and Rockland serving as a hub for prison education. UMA said it maintains high housing occupancy in lease-model housing and is actively reviewing seven centers whose leases expire in 2025–2026.
Trustees asked UMA to provide operational detail they said is necessary to assess cost effectiveness: staffing costs per center, the number of unique individuals served (rather than aggregate 'touches'), hours of operation and comparisons of on-campus vs. online delivery. UMA agreed to provide staffing-cost breakdowns and unique-student counts for the committee’s follow-up. Trustees noted the centers’ public-service value but requested system-level analysis of whether UMA should carry the full cost for all centers or whether other partners should contribute more.
The committee did not take action; UMA will provide additional data for trustees to review at a future meeting.
