Maine Perspective Front Page
Hoff Issues Response to Blue Ribbon Report
Recommendations and actions to make the University of Maine "an even better place to live, work, study and interact" are detailed in UMaine President Peter Hoff's newly released formal response to last semester's report by the Blue Ribbon Panel to Review the Student Experience.
In his response, Hoff outlines changes in programs and areas that directly affect the student out-of-classroom experience on campus - Student Affairs, Athletics, Bookstore, Career Center, Dining Services and Judicial Affairs; community life, entertainment, residential life, safety, student life and transportation.
Some recommendations already have been implemented, others are in the process of being implemented and more will be implemented as a result of the President's report.
The recommendations are in response to April's report by the 16-member Blue Ribbon Panel, appointed by Hoff last spring to gauge the character and quality of students' university life - key factors in recruitment and retention. The panel, chaired by Matthew Moen, professor of political science, made a series of recommendations on the premise that UMaine's "institutional culture must be fundamentally changed."
Also affecting the President's formal response was extensive input by members of the campus community, in response to the Blue Ribbon Panel report, that has "sharpened our understanding of the issues, helped us see the alternatives and brought about a broader consensus," says Hoff in his letter to the University community.
"Our ability as a community to discuss and implement change in a professional and constructive manner is a key to the kind of continuous improvement we must make in all aspects of our mission," says Hoff in his formal response. "I hope that this process can be seen as a model for such constructive dialog that needs to take place as we work through the many issues raised by the BearWorks Action Plan."
Highlights of the changes to enhance the student experience at UMaine, called for by Hoff in his formal response to the Blue Ribbon Panel report:
- Student Affairs and Academic Affairs will cooperate and collaborate more than ever in their roles of affecting student experience.
- A committee will define the concept of a new student recreation center to improve recreational opportunities and to enhance student recruitment. Planning for a recreation center should include planning for reassignment of recreational sports from Athletics to Student Affairs.
- Student admission to athletic events was streamlined this summer, allowing students to use a MaineCard at dedicated student entrances.
- Administrative responsibility for the University Bookstore will be transferred to the office of the chief financial officer rather than the vice president for Student Affairs, effective July 1. As a prelude, the President has appointed a committee chaired by Chief Financial Officer Robert Duringer to study "the best arrangements that balance service to students and faculty, fiscal prudence and integration with other (UMaine) programs."
- By the spring semester, the Bookstore will offer a "guarantee" program to assure students they are paying the lowest possible prices for textbooks.
- The Career Center will be administered by Enrollment Management, effective Jan. 1.
- It is recommended that Faculty Senate work with the Office of Student Records and the Provost's Office to identify a block of time in the weekly academic schedule that can be left class-free, allowing members of the University community to plan and attend meetings and programs without conflicting with classes.
- Dining Services will develop more flexible meal plans, including adoption of "grab and go" lunch plans in the dining commons.
- A committee will develop a Campus Living Capital Plan - a long-term plan and funding program that will include evaluation of refurbishment, renovation and new construction of residence halls and dining facilities.
- With the upgrade of a computer server, students will eventually be able to use their MaineCards to make food purchases from non-University vendors.
- The Center for Students and Community Life will undertake a comprehensive student needs assessment focused on the out-of-class experience, exploring the nature and variety of entertainment options students want made available on campus.
- A Conduct Code Committee appointed by the dean of students is currently evaluating the program of sanctions applied to violations of the University of Maine System Student Conduct Code. The goal is to investigate ways of better informing the University community of Judicial Affairs actions without violating privacy rights of students.
- A report on a plan to manage student academic misconduct through the Provost's Office is expected by Jan. 15.
- A task force will study all aspects of campus safety, including lighting, Public Safety procedures, crime prevention programming, campus visitors and judicial processes, with a report due March 1.
- The Center for Students and Community Life this year will formalize and enhance its ombuds role by initiating a comprehensive marketing package detailing its services in advocacy, support and problem-solving.
- Facilities Management will work with the Center for Students and Community Life to establish better public transportation links between campus and destinations in the area and region, including Bangor Mall and Bangor International Airport.
- Campus parking will be thoroughly reviewed by the administration's Traffic and Safety Committee to ensure that parking opportunities and enforcement are fair and equitable, that "no one will need to walk more than 10 minutes to their campus destination," and that close access or shuttle service are available at night.