Maine to Reorganize Higher Education System – centralize administration for smaller campuses to save 2.9% of the budget

The Board of Trustees of the University of Maine Higher Education System has approved an extensive overhaul of the system. The plan calls for the three smallest campuses to create a consortium to share financial resources and to coordinate academic programs. Further, the University of Maine at Augusta will become a satellite campus of the University of Southern Maine, and Augusta will relinquish its two-year programs to the Maine Community College System.

Contact: Kristin Conklin
Education Division By Luci Stephens

http://www.nga.org/center/frontAndCenter/1,1188,C_FRONT_CENTER%5ED_7367,00.html

The proposed changes are intended to centralize administration and save Maine $12 million a year or 2.9 percent of the state’s 2005 fiscal year budget, helping to prevent tuition increases as well as program and maintenance cutbacks. Governor Baldacci supports the reorganization and has asked the seven campuses to start drawing up transition plans.

Related Links:

* University of Maine System Strategic Plan http://www.maine.edu/spp/strategicplanfinal.pdf