Dec 08, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Campus Life



Dean of Students Office and Community Standards

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, including:

  • 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. The 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): (207) 780-5242 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.

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

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 Engagement

Intercultural Student Engagement 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

Abromson Center, Portland
Upper Brooks Dining Hall, Gorham
(207) 228-4173

The Student Diversity Centers provide supportive and inclusive spaces for the USM campus community. The Centers serve as catalysts in creating 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 at Upper Brooks Hall on the Gorham campus.

LGBTQA+ Community and Resources

Intercultural Student Engagement 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. Most specifically, our attention is turned to those identities that fall under the LGBTQA+ 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 short orientation program and then display a rainbow-striped sticker with the words “Safe Zone USM.” This shows that they are committed to be identified as safe and supportive contacts for LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff members.

Religious & Spiritual Life

For more information, contact the Dean of Students, (207) 780-4035.

The Religious and Spiritual Life Council is an interfaith body made up of ordained Chaplains and lay-people 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

218/220 Sullivan, Portland Campus, (207) 780-4826
104 Bailey Hall, Gorham Campus
Room 103, Lewiston-Auburn Campus

The Veterans’ Resource Center serves veterans, servicemembers, and their families, who are accessing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs educational benefits, often referred to as the GI Bill®.

The center includes a lounge area, as well as space to study. It’s a great place to connect with folks who speak the same language (military) and decompress and relax in a comfortable environment.

Safety and Wellness

Health & Counseling Services

The services offered by UHCS includes:

Health

  • Sick Visits
  • STD Screening
  • Contraception
  • Immunizations
  • Physicals
  • Travel Consultation
  • Prescriptions/OTC Medications

Counseling

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

The team at UHCS is made up of licensed clinical professional counselors, psychologists, nurse practitioners, medical assistants and administrative support staff. They are well versed in college health issues and the diversity of representation within the USM community.

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. On-line at usm.maine.edu/recovery

Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)

For information about the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), please contact Student Financial Services at (207) 780-5250, or TTY (207) 780-5646. Online at usm.maine.edu/student-financial-services

For more information about Health & Counseling Services or to schedule an appointment:

Health Services - Interim Director, Amy Hinshaw, FNP

Online at usm.maine.edu/uhcs/health-services.
Gorham: 156 Upton Hall. Call (207) 780-5411, or TTY (207) 780-5646.
Portland: 8 Sullivan Complex. Call (207) 780-5411, or TTY (207) 780-5646.

Counseling Services - Director, Liza Little, Psy.D, APRN-BC

On-line at usm.maine.edu/uhcs/counseling-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) 780-5646105
LAC: Rm # 133. Call (207) 780-4050, or TTY (207) 780-5646105

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 racquetball, squash and basketball courts, a multipurpose/yoga room, spin room, ping pong table.

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

Public Safety and Parking

USM Public Safety Police Officers are responsible for keeping the peace, preventing crime, and delivering a variety of public safety related services including: community policing and crime prevention services, personal safety programs, criminal investigations and 24-hour campus police coverage on foot, bike and marked police vehicles.

Parking permits are available at the Parking and Transportation Offices, with multiple locations across campus. University motor vehicle rules and instructions to appeal violations are available online.

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/usmalert.

Student Involvement

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 Centers

Brooks Student Center

The Brooks Student Center (BSC) serves as the “hub” for student life in Gorham. Whether you want to relax and study, grab a snack, or attend an event, the BSC has something for you. BSC amenities include 24/7 access to a University Credit Union (“UCU”) ATM; a staffed UCU branch; pool, ping pong, and air hockey tables; flat screen TVs; lounge space, bulletin boards; and two campus dining locations: the Residential Dining Hall and the Husky Hideaway and Convenience Store. The BSC is also home to the Office of Student Activities and Involvement.

Student Organizations and Student Government

Student Activities seeks to create meaningful connections to the campus community and link student passions with involvement opportunities on campus. Involvement fairs, movie marathons, outside performers, karaoke, DIY nights, and food frenzies are just some of the fun, free events regularly offered on both Portland and Gorham campuses.

We encourage you to stop by and chat with a staff member in the Student Activities and Involvement Office about upcoming events and related opportunities to help you find your place at USM!

USM Dining and On-Campus Housing

USM Dining

Dining facilities are located on all three campuses. In Gorham, options include the Residential Restaurant and the Husky Hideaway Snack Bar in the Brooks Student Center, the Ice Arena Kiosk, and the Bailey Hall Café. In Portland, options include the University of Maine School of Law Café, the Library Starbucks, and the Luther Bonney Café. The Lewiston-Auburn campus features Café- LA.

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. 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 campus 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.