Dec 08, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Campus Life



Dean of Students Office

The Dean of Students Office, within the unit of Student Affairs, has primary responsibility for student advocacy and support. Stay connected to important events and updates on student life at usm.maine.edu/deanofstudents. The university’s Dean of Students can be a very knowledgeable and helpful resource. The staff there can: 

  • Help you find solutions to various problems (academic, financial, personal);
  • Help connect you to people on campus who can assist you in addressing various issues;
  • Help connect you with resources on and off campus;
  • Help you navigate the Student Conduct Code process and academic policies.

If you are not sure where to go or if the Dean of Students Office is the right place, stop by anyway. Visit us at 188 Upton Hall (Gorham), 207-780-4035 or usmdeanofstudents@maine.edu

Community Standards and Mediation

The Community Standards and Mediation Office is responsible for administering the Student Conduct Code, through which the office maintains community standards of behavior that support the University’s educational mission, promote students’ academic achievement, and protect the rights of University community members. Violations of state or federal law and/or a University policy or regulation will be addressed through student conduct action and/or action through the appropriate criminal/civil process.

For more information (including a copy of the Student Conduct Code): call (207) 780-4035 or visit 188 Upton Hall on the Gorham Campus. For additional information about student policies or a copy of any policy, please visit the University Policies Page.

Diversity and Inclusion

Take advantage of opportunities to celebrate your own identities and to explore the broad diversity of backgrounds, traditions, and points of view that make the USM campuses so vibrant. The work of the programs below are grounded in an understanding and celebration of our diverse community, which includes people of all abilities, ages, ethnicities, genders, nationalities, races, religions & spiritual traditions, socioeconomic classes, and sexual orientations.

Intercultural Student Affairs

Intercultural Student Affairs is dedicated to building community and empowering students. We serve as a resource for every student to engage in the rich education and growth found through active exchange across cultures and identities. We facilitate the exploration of critical issues around ability, class, ethnicity, gender identity, nationality, race, religion, sexual orientation, and the intersectionality of these and other identities. We are committed to building a campus community where all students can fully participate and feel valued, in an educational environment that is inclusive and safe.

Student Diversity Centers

McGoldrick Career and Student Success Center, Room 301, Portland
Upper Brooks Student Center, Gorham
(207) 228-4173

The Student Diversity Centers provide supportive and inclusive spaces for the USM campus community. The Centers serve as catalysts in building community for students, where cultural activities and celebrations occur, and student organizations meet. Through various programming, the Centers explore critical issues on campus about race, class, ethnicity, nationality, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, and most importantly, the success of our students. The Centers are open to the entire USM Community; however, they have a unique role with regard to the support of students from historically marginalized communities and cultures. Please visit us in the McGoldrick Center on the Portland campus and in Upper Brooks Student Center on the Gorham campus.

LGBTQIA+ Community and Resources

Intercultural Student Affairs and the Student Diversity Centers seek to ensure a University environment that is positive, safe, and supportive for members of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions. We celebrate all identities that fall under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella (some examples of these identities: lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, agender, transgender, nonbinary, genderqueer, questioning, and more). The USM Safe Zone Project, a program that conveys an inclusive message to the University community, falls under this umbrella as well. Safe Zone Project volunteers attend a 90-minute orientation program and then display a rainbow sticker with the words “Safe Zone USM” in their office. This shows that they are committed to be identified as safe and supportive contacts for LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff members.

Religious & Spiritual Life

For more information, contact Intercultural Student Affairs.

The Religious and Spiritual Life Council is an interfaith body made up of ordained Chaplains and Spiritual Advisors who volunteer their time to the USM campus community. The Council and its members offer programs and services to support religious and spiritual life in all its expressions. Chaplains and Advisors, sponsored by their respective faith communities, offer services to students and student groups in a wide variety of religious or spiritual traditions and work together to offer programs encouraging spiritual life and interfaith dialogue.

Veterans Resource Center

Portland: 39 Exeter St.
Gorham: 104 Bailey Hall
Lewiston: 189 LAC

The VRC enhances the individual and academic success of veterans, service members, and their family members. The Veterans Resource Center is committed to supporting the veteran community in the areas of higher education, GI Bill benefits, academic success, graduation, well-being, and career development. The center offers opportunities to excel academically through services like a study space and computer stations.

Within the center, students can meet with a School Certifying Official, connect with other current student veterans, learn about services available on campus, participate in a variety of programs, and enjoy a welcoming space with opportunities to lounge and/or study.

On the Portland campus, the VRC is co-located with the Military-Affiliated Student Hub offices. The first floor houses a study room and a community room, and our School Certifying Officials are just upstairs. There’s always a pot of coffee brewing, and it’s free!

Health Services

Student Health Services supports and enhances the health and psychological well-being of the University of Southern Maine community through the provision of on-campus clinical services, health related education, and outreach. Our team of skilled medical professionals are at the ready to assist with a variety of health related needs. Our services include, but are not limited to:

  • Acute/sick visits
  • Annual exams
  • Women’s health exams
  • Sport participation exams
  • Medication management
  • Psychiatric mental health management
  • Travel health
  • Immunizations
  • STD/I screening
  • Health education
  • Smoking cessation

For more information about Health Services or to schedule an appointment, contact us at:

Online at usm.maine.edu/health-services/
Gorham: 156 Upton Hall. Call (207) 780-5411, or TTY (207) 780-5646.
Portland: 0088 Sullivan Complex. Call (207) 780-5411, or TTY (207) 780-5646.

Counseling Services

Online at usm.maine.edu/counseling-services/services

Gorham: 156 Upton Hall. Call (207) 780-5411, or (TTY (207) 780-5646.
Portland: 105 Payson-smith Hall. Call (207) 780-4050, or TTY (207) 780-5646
LAC: Rm # 133. Call (207) 780-4050, or TTY (207) 780-5646

Counseling
  • Individual/Group/Couples Therapy
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Medication Management
  • Mental Health Assessment
  • Counseling Education
  • Community Consultation
  • Outreach

The team at University Counseling Services (UCS) is made up of licensed clinical professional counselors, licensed clinical social workers, alcohol and drug counselors, masters level trainees and psychologists. We are a training center and offer clinical internships for Masters level students. Our Team is well versed in college mental health, substance use counseling and the diversity of representation within the USM community.

Insurance Navigation

For information on insurance options please visit: usm.maine.edu/health-services/insurance-navigation/

For details regarding insurance requirements, consult the Office of Admissions: usm.maine.edu/office-of-admissions/

 

Additional resources may be found at:

usm.maine.edu/student-financial-services/student-health-insurance/

usm.maine.edu/office-international-programs/health-insurance/

Recovery Oriented Campus Center (ROCC)

The ROCC is an empowerment-based peer support center that fosters the possibility of personal growth by embracing all pathways to recovery and building connections to the community. Online at usm.maine.edu/recovery-oriented-campus-center/.

Recreation and Fitness

Gorham Recreation and Fitness

The Gorham Recreation and Fitness Center offers many recreational activities regardless of skill level or previous experience. The fitness facility includes universal machines, free weights, and cardiovascular machines. Group exercise classes, personal fitness consultations, and a variety of other workshops are offered as well.

For more information call (207) 780-5649 or visit 102 Hill Gym on the Gorham campus.

Sullivan Recreation and Fitness Complex

Join us at the Sullivan Recreation and Fitness Complex to reignite your relationship with your health and fitness. Whether you are new to the gym, a current fitness guru, or looking to get back into a routine of exercise, we offer numerous classes and options to help aid you on your way to health and happiness.

Facilities include two fitness centers, saunas, basketball courts, a multipurpose/yoga room, spin room, and ping pong table.

For more information: visit our website (usm.maine.edu/sullivan-complex/), call us at (207) 780-4169, or stop by 104 Sullivan Complex on the Portland campus.

Public Safety

The USM Department of Public Safety is responsible for keeping the peace, preventing crime, and delivering a variety of public safety-related services including: 24-hour emergency communications center, personal safety programs, criminal investigations and 24-hour campus police coverage on foot, bike and marked police vehicles.  DPS also assists the Parking Services Office with the issuance of permits and the enforcement of parking regulations.

EMERGENCY: call 911 from a campus phone or (207) 780-5211. Non-emergency business: call (207) 780-5211.

To register for USMALERT emergency messages, go to usm.maine.edu/public-safety/sign-up-for-campus-alert/.

Parking and Transportation Services

Parking Services is here to help all students, employees, and visitors navigate parking on our campuses in Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston. We can help you with information on parking permits, rules and regulations, ticketing and appeals, and transportation.
For more information: visit our website, call or email us at 207-780-4718, usmparkingservices@maine.edu or stop by our office on the 1st floor of the parking garage on the Portland campus.

Student Engagement

Athletics

Athletics is an exciting part of the overall student experience at the University of Southern Maine. The Huskies compete in the Little East Conference, a nine-member conference composed of public institutions in New England, recognized as one of the most competitive Division III conferences in the nation. The Huskies sponsor 22 intercollegiate sports, 11 for men and 11 for women. Annually, the Huskies qualify several team sports and countless individual performers for national championship competitions. Several USM teams achieve a national ranking each year and qualify for post-season play sponsored by the NCAA, the Little East Conference (LEC), the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) and the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA).

USM student-athletes are supported in their efforts to excel with a strong system of academic support services which includes mandatory study table hours for first year students, developmental advising, regular progress checks with University faculty, and partnerships with Advising, Health & Counseling, the Learning Commons and the Career Hub. 

FMI: (207) 780-5430, http://www.southernmainehuskies.com.

Student Engagement & Leadership

Student Engagement & Leadership empowers students to cultivate their passions through meaningful connections that strengthen personal and social development to reach their highest potential. To grow as a leader on campus, we offer leadership conferences, training, and workshops. To ensure there are engagement opportunities for students, we work closely with all the student clubs and organizations, WMPG; USM’s radio station, the Free Press; USM’s newspaper, and the Student Government Association.

Recreation

Intramurals: The University of Southern Maine’s Recreation programs offers undergraduate and graduate students to actively participate in supportive and inclusive intramural sport leagues, tournaments, and pick-up games that promote wellness, community, and competitive pride. These programs symbolize good sportsmanship and healthy lifestyles by enhancing students’ social and mental well-being while creating memories through teamwork and lasting friendships.

Club Sports: The University of Southern Maine Club Sports Program is dedicated to the mission of providing opportunities for students to engage in a variety of activity levels: competitive, recreational, and instructional sport teams. The program strives to contribute to the health, well-being, development, and education of the students through club sports. Each club team proudly represents the University of Southern Maine through community involvement and competitive games!

Esports: The University of Southern Maine Esports program provides a competitive and supportive esports environment. We are dedicated to recruiting the best esport players around as we have the largest esports program in Maine! Our esports program also offers student leadership opportunities as the program offers student-led committees such as: streaming, coaching, marketing, scouting, tournaments, events, and more!

For additional information or inquiries, please email visit https://usm.maine.edu/recreation/

Student Centers

Brooks Student Center

The Brooks Student Center serves as the “hub” for student life in Gorham. Whether you want to relax and study, grab a snack, or attend an event, Brooks has something for you. The first floor of Brooks is the home for the Student Engagement & Leadership office; the Husky Hideaway and Convenience store; the new USM ESports Arena, the Husky Den with arcade machines, ping pong, pool, air hockey, and foosball tables; a staffed UCU branch alongside a UCU ATM; and plenty of student meeting and lounge space. The second floor of Brooks includes the Student Diversity Center and the Gorham Campus Dining Hall.

McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success

The McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success stands at the heart of the Portland campus. Whether you want to relax and study, grab a snack, or attend an event, McGoldrick has something for everyone. The first floor has the dining hall, Fireside Student Lounge, University Store and the Husky Brew cafe/pub. The second floor is home to the Career and Employment HUB, the 4500 square foot Multi Purpose room and the Prentice Board Room. Finally, connect with your fellow students on the third floor. You will find the Diversity & Multicultural Center, USM’s Student Government Association office and various student lounge spaces for studying and socializing.

Student Government Association & Student Clubs & Organizations

The Student Government Association (SGA) at USM is the parent organization that governs all student organizations, campus media organizations, the Student Senate, and beyond. The SGA is led by the Executive Branch and governed by the Student Senate to represent the opinions and viewpoints of all USM students to the administration of USM and the University of Maine System and help formulate positive working relationships among them.

SGA at USM comprises the Student Body Presidents Office and the Student Senate as well as our large entities: the Board of Student Organizations, Club Sport Council, Gorham Campus Activities Board, Commuter Student Association, the Outdoor Adventures Board, and the Leadership Development Board.
 
Student Government exists for you, the students. As an undergraduate student, you pay a “Student Activity Fee” based on the number of credit hours you take here at USM. The SGA is a steward of the fund and is tasked with making sure it is equitably and responsibly distributed to help foster community and to enhance student engagement opportunities. Please feel free to reach out to any SGA member or entity for any help. We work for you!
 
For more information: call (207) 228-8200, email usmstudentengagement@maine.edu, or visit usm.maine.edu/student-engagement-leadership, 119 Brooks Student Center, Gorham campus or 316 McGoldrick Center, Portland campus.

USM Dining

Dining facilities are located on all three campuses.

In Gorham, options include the Brooks Dining Hall and the Husky Hideaway Snack Bar in the Brooks Student Center. The Ice Arena is opened seasonally in the Costello Sports Complex. Bailey Hall Café is located in Bailey Hall.

In Portland, options include the McGoldrick dining for residential and retail during along with Husky Brew which serves Coffee By Design in the morning and beer/wine in the evening. Luther Bonney Café is located in Luther Bonney Hall.

The Lewiston-Auburn campus features Café- LA. Please note that the location of the University of Maine Law School has changed. The new address is in downtown Portland at 300 Fore Street.

For more information (including hours, menus, and how to purchase a residential, commuter or faculty/staff meal plan) please stop by one of the dining locations listed above or visit usm.sodexomyway.com.

Residential Life

The Office of Residential Life is committed to creating an engaged, respectful and inclusive community for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Maine Law students. We provide an environment that is safe, well-maintained and sustainable. Residential Life provides a meaningful and intentional learning experience that ensures the exploration of diversity, leadership, and wellness. Accommodations on our Gorham and Portland campuses are coeducational and offer convenient access to classes and campus events. Students living on campus may choose to apply to live in one of our special-interest housing areas or living-learning communities.

For more information: call (207) 780-5240, email usm.reslife@maine.edu, or visit usm.maine.edu/residential-life, 125 Upton Hall, Gorham campus.