New Project Application - Maine Hello
The Maine Hello is a long standing tradition at the University of Maine. The modern version of the MAINE Hello began in 1996. On Fall move-in day, students, faculty and staff provide “A Hearty Maine Hello” to new students. The entire campus welcomes new students and celebrates their arrival for the new academic year. This opening day welcome keeps the tradition of fellowship and community alive at the University of Maine.
Back in the in the days of President Arthur Hauck (1934-1958), the original Maine Hello was initiated as a part of freshman orientation. In those days, for the first few weeks of school, whenever first year students passed by any upperclassmen, they were compelled to give them a warm and friendly “Hello”. This practice ended in the late 1960s. Today’s students are no longer compelled to offer the “Maine Hello” or wear a beanie, but the warmth and friendliness this tradition inspired continues.
Today’s Maine Hello
In today’s version of the Maine Hello, returning residents (PAWS), Greek affiliated students (Greek Greeters) and faculty and staff (Maine Hello Greeters) volunteer to welcome new students and their families as they arrive on campus. These volunteers assist with directing traffic, unpacking vehicles and moving students’ items up to their rooms. They also provide directions and information to help new students’ first day go smoothly. This group of volunteers includes everyone from the University of Maine President, Paul Ferguson, academic deans, faculty, coaches, student affairs staff, classified staff and more. The Alumni Association and the Admissions staff are also available at every campus entrance to provide last minute directions and information. Every year, over 700 members of the campus community participate in the Maine Hello.
Everyone involved in the Maine Hello wears a Maine Hello blue shirt which identifies them as willing and able to welcome and assist the University of Maine new students. These shirts can be seen all over campus on opening day and are a reminder to our new students that we are a campus community that is excited about their arrival.
Maine Hello Support and Volunteers
The Maine Hello is a program of the division of Student Affairs. The Maine Hello is supported and funded by many University of Maine units including the President’s Office, the Vice President for Administration and Finances, the Student Affairs, Residence Life, The First Year Center, Auxiliary Services, Facilities Management, University Relations and New Student Programs, as well as others. The program could not continue without funding from these offices and the hundreds of volunteers who assist every year.
Contact Information
The Maine Hello is planned and coordinated by Residence Life. For more information about the Maine Hello please call the First Year Experience Center at (207) 581-1420.
