USM Public Affairs

The 21st-Century USM: From President Selma Botman

This document presents some straightforward information that I hope will alleviate concerns raised by two recent external assessments of USM’s financial condition.  It also attests to the integrity of USM’s fiscal management.  An academic community depends upon faith in the rectitude of its leadership, especially in that institution’s fiscal affairs. I write to assure the USM community that its faith is well grounded.

First, I would like to call your attention to four documents that are posted at:  http://usm.maine.edu/eatf/documents.html

• A ratio analysis of the University of Maine System’s financial condition, which was prepared by KPMG, an internationally known auditing firm that serves as the UM System’s independent financial auditor.
• A statement by Rebecca Wyke, Vice Chancellor for Finance and   Administration, pertaining to the UMS financial condition.
• An evaluation of the two external assessments.
• A Composite Financial Index, an analysis of USM financial ratios that was prepared by Darla Reynolds, a CPA on Vice Chancellor Wyke’s staff, and Dick Campbell, CFO of USM. (more…)

The 21st-Century USM: From President Selma Botman

I am pleased to announce that Jim Shaffer, Dean of the School of Business, has agreed to accept a temporary reassignment of his duties.  In addition to serving as Dean, Jim will also take on the role as our Chief Operating Officer.

The University of Southern Maine is at a crossroad.  At a time when we are embarking on whole new areas of work to move the university forward, we need the kind of expertise that Jim has developed over many years in both the business and academic worlds.  Jim’s experience and commitment to USM’s future will, I believe, help us accomplish our goals.

Jim will join the President’s Staff and will work directly with finance, information technology, enrollment management, and student and university life. He will also play a key role in guiding an inclusive reorganization process that will help us achieve the necessary academic and administrative change. This process, which I outlined in my recent 21^st Century USM update will ensure that our reorganization is informed by the very best thinking of as many members of our community as possible. (more…)

The 21st-Century USM: From President Selma Botman

Our discussions about the necessity of reorganizing USM’s academic and administrative enterprises have offered heartening evidence of dedicated faculty, staff, and students who love this university and want the very best for its future.

Indeed, the energy and commitment that I have witnessed during these discussions have inspired me to provide some additional opportunities for even more substantial input at this watershed moment in USM’s history. (more…)

I am writing with good news.

Last Friday, November 13, I shared with with our deans a projected shortfall of $4.8 million in USM’s FY 2011 budget, and an overall multi-year projected shortfall of $13.9 million.

On Monday, November 16, USM received important news. The Board of Trustees has decided to release FY 2011 stimulus funds to the campuses, and to phase in the system-wide strategic investment fund.

What does this means for us at USM?

• We will receive $1.5 million in stimulus funds in FY 2011
• We will receive $400,000 more in our share of the state appropriation.

These two factors, combined with other related adjustments, decrease our FY 2011 gap from $4.8 million to $2.9 million.

I write to provide you with latest figures. I also note that we continue to operate in a fluid fiscal environment that is subject to change. I will always update the community as new information becomes available. In the meantime, we will continue to work hard and make the most prudent decisions we can to move USM toward fiscal sustainability.

I am pleased to announce that John Wright , Dean of the School of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (ASET), is chair of a committee that will oversee the implementation of the USM Strategic Plan, “Preparing USM for the Future, 2009-2014.”  Together with the Strategic Plan Implementation Committee, John will guide the implementation process.  The committee’s work, under John’s direction, is especially important at a time when there are several planning initiatives that have been launched both at the System and at the campus levels.

In this update, I will briefly outline each of these initiatives and place the steering committee’s work in context.

The USM Strategic Plan is our foundational planning document. In the final analysis, any proposals that evolve as a result of the aforementioned planning initiatives must help advance one or more of the eight goals in our Strategic Plan. You can review our plan at http://www.usm.maine.edu/pres/pdfs/Preparing-USM-for-the-Future-June-11-09.pdf

I thank John and the Strategic Plan Implementation Committee for the critical role they will play in helping us evaluate, prioritize and, of course, implement our proposals for change. (more…)

I want to take this opportunity to make special mention of this month’s production in our Department of Theatre.  “Tea and Sympathy,” the 1953 play by Robert Anderson, is considered one of the first American plays to directly address homophobia and the prejudices that arise from it.  Of course, it is especially relevant to contemporary audiences.

As Director and Professor Bill Steele put it, “At its heart, ‘Tea and Sympathy’ looks at how we make judgments about other people based on the degree to which they conform to our own preconceived ideals.”

Our production opens on November 6 and runs through November 15. More details are available at http://usm.maine.edu/theater

As USM considers how best to position itself for a sustainable future, we must keep in mind that our mission as a public comprehensive university lies in our distinctive approach to serving the needs of our community through the liberal arts and sciences and through professional education. As an engine of the local and regional economy, our programs must be relevant, nimble in pedagogy and connected to the needs of local employers. We pledge to launch and support fertile and productive academic conversations that result in the creation of fresh or redesigned degree programs and synergic research and scholarship, within exciting schools and colleges.

In order to guide the academic transformation process, USM’s academic community will operate in accordance with a common set of principles that are designed to be read in conjunction with the university’s new strategic plan, Preparing USM for the Future, 2009-2014. The strategic plan’s eight goals provide a roadmap for the work ahead. They are:

1. Serving the needs and aspirations of 21st-century Maine.
2. Making student success a core university priority.
3. Providing distinctive graduate and professional education.
4. Supporting faculty research, scholarship, and creative activity.
5. Ensuring the university’s fiscal sustainability.
6. Furthering the university’s commitment to diversity.
7. Strengthening community.
8. Deploying USM’s physical plant in support of the university’s mission.

These goals will guide our thinking about institutional reorganization. Although the White Paper outlines only five specific scenarios, the USM community will consider other arrangements that may better respond to the future needs of the university.

(more…)

The 21st-Century USM: From President Selma Botman

At this week’s Trustees’ meeting, held on Monday, September 14 in Bangor, Chancellor Richard Pattenaude submitted the report “The University of Maine System and the Future of Maine.” This document synthesizes the three task force reports from the System’s “New Challenges, New Directions” initiative. The System’s report can help inform and guide our own work as we build a more sustainable university.  Read “The University of Maine System and the Future of Maine” report at  http://www.maine.edu/chancellor/NCND.php

Trustees now will host public meetings at each university. We will keep you posted on details. Comments also may be submitted via e-mail at ncnd@maine.edu. Input will be summarized and presented to Trustees for review. They are scheduled to take action on the plan at their meeting scheduled for November 16.

Please visit my Web site for official communications on a range of issues. Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at president@usm.maine.edu. I also invite you to check out my blog at http://blogs.usm.maine.edu/president

The 21st-Century USM: From President Selma Botman

USM, and all of higher education, lost a special friend over the weekend with the passing of Bob Woodbury. His unwavering commitment to expanding higher education opportunity took many forms, including the establishment here at USM of the Robert Woodbury International Scholarship. This endowed scholarship fund makes it possible for USM undergraduates to be immersed in a foreign culture.  Bob was an especially strong supporter of international education, serving as chair of the board of the Council on International Educational Exchange, and helping to establish the American University in Bulgaria.

The family has asked that memorial gifts be made to any campus of The University of Maine System, c/o UMS Office of Finance and Treasurer, 16 Central Street, Bangor, ME 04401.  Those of you wishing to direct your gift to USM may do so by asking that contributions be directed to USM’s Robert Woodbury International Scholarship, c/o USM Advancement and Donor Services.

Please visit my Web site for official communications on a range of issues. Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at president@usm.maine.edu. I also invite you to check out my blog at https://blogs.usm.maine.edu/president.

The 21st-Century USM: From President Selma Botman

The following story has been told elsewhere on campus but I want to share it with you because it is such a compelling example of undergraduate research nurtured by faculty mentoring. In this case, two of our Environmental Science students presented their findings on increasing levels of soil pollutants found in mountain environments.

Sarah Hayes of Portland collected soil samples at various elevations on six Maine mountains. Her analysis of the samples showed that traces of metals deposited via atmospheric pollution was below EPA acceptable limits, although the levels increased at higher elevations.

On the other side of the world, student Bill Yeo of Durham took numerous samples while climbing Mt. Everest several years ago. His analysis of samples taken from snow showed levels of arsenic and cadmium above acceptable EPA limits, and higher than acceptable traces of arsenic in the soil samples.

These two students, both of whom will finish their studies this year, worked with faculty to develop presentations at a conference in Houston attended by thousands of scholars and professionals. They also, with faculty help, are working on manuscripts for submission to journals.

Please visit my Web site for official communications on a range of issues. Please don’t hesitate to contact me directly at president@usm.maine.edu. I also invite you to check out my blog at https://blogs.usm.maine.edu/president