HEARTY MAINE, BLACK BEARS!

Welcome back from Spring Break! We hope your travel back to campus was safe and that you had a chance to get some rest before the final stretch of the semester. We also want to acknowledge that this is a difficult time for many in our community. More than ever, it is important that we continue to care for one another, check in on our friends, and lean into the sense of community that keeps this campus strong. Please also be mindful of the resources available across campus and do not hesitate to share them with others. If you ever need help navigating those resources for yourself or a friend, please reach out to the Division of Student Life at 207-581-1406.

Here’s a look at what your Student Government has been up to:

THE VOTES ARE IN: UMSG ELECTION RESULTS!

Congratulations to Cynthia Shelmerdine and Hazel Sparks, your 2026–2027 Student Body President and Vice President. Shelmerdine, who currently serves as UMSG Vice President, and Sparks, a two-year senator, enter these roles with a strong background in student leadership and a shared commitment to transparency, communication, and building a stronger sense of campus community. In speaking with the Maine Campus about the year ahead, both emphasized the importance of helping students better understand the resources available to them, creating more opportunities for involvement, and leading in an open, respectful, and student-focused way. We are excited to see all that their administration will bring in the year ahead!

STUDENT GOVERNMENT SPRING CONCERT: THE DRIVER ERA

UMSG Student Entertainment is excited to bring The Driver Era and Almost Monday to the Bangor Cross Insurance Center on April 17th. Undergraduate Students are able to reserve their tickets through this CampusGroups link: UNDERGRAD TICKETS. The undergraduate Student Government is also pleased to be able to provide Graduate Students with a reduced ticket cost, which can be reserved through this CampusGroups link: GRADUATE TICKETS. Doors will open at 6 pm, and several buses will provide transportation to and from campus. General admission tickets can be found on the Cross Insurance Center’s website. To help students get to and from the show, 10 school buses will be stationed in the CCA parking lot and will begin transporting students to the venue at 5 p.m., continuing until the start of the show. Return buses will begin when the show ends and will continue until 11 p.m. Transportation will also be available to students who have been removed from the premises for intoxication.

STILL WANT TO START A CLUB OR ORG?

There are still several weeks left in this semester to start the club recognition process. If you have been sitting on an idea for a new group, there is still time to take that first step. UMSG is here to help students turn their ideas into recognized student organizations and guide them through the process along the way. From the initial application and bylaws drafting to presentations before the Student Organizations Committee and General Student Senate, we are happy to help you through each step. This year, 33 new clubs have already been started through this process. If you want to learn more or get started, reach out to our Vice President of Student Organizations, Jordan Thompson (jordan.r.thompson@maine.edu).

STUDENT CLUB & ORG FUNDING IS STILL AVAILABLE!

There is still funding available this semester for student organizations to access through UMSG. Following the Student Activity Fee increase approved by students last spring, more resources are available to support clubs, campus events, and other organizational needs. Looking ahead, organizations will be able to begin submitting funding requests for next semester after the Annual Budget Meeting on March 31st, so now is a good time to start planning. The final day to request funding is April 30th, and we encourage student leaders to make the most of the support still available this semester and to stay engaged in the funding process moving forward. For help with budgeting or any funding-related questions, reach out to our Vice President for Financial Affairs, Joshua Bohm (joshua.bohm@maine.edu).

GET INVOLVED WITH STUDENT GOVERNMENT!

There are plenty of ways to get involved with UMSG, whether you are interested in serving as a senator, joining a committee, or simply staying connected to what is happening on campus. General Student Senate meetings are held every Tuesday at 6:00 PM in the Bangor Room on the second level of the Memorial Union, and all undergraduate students are welcome to attend. If you cannot make it in person, you can still follow along by watching meetings live or accessing recordings afterward on our Senate YouTube channel. Even if you are not looking to join in an official capacity, we encourage you to stay engaged. Follow us on Instagram at @UMSGinc, send along your questions or ideas, or reach out directly to our Vice President of Student Leadership, Nate Feng (jonathan.feng@maine.edu) to learn more about how to get involved. UMSG works for you, and your voice plays an important role in shaping campus life!

PROMISES TO KEEP.

As this administration enters its final stretch, our focus is on finishing strong and continuing to deliver meaningful results for students. Over the course of this year, we have worked to strengthen student engagement, improve access to UMSG and campus resources, and expand where students have a direct voice in the decisions that shape campus life. That work is not slowing down now. In these final weeks, we remain committed to following through, staying accessible, and making the most of the time we have left to serve. Our doors, inboxes, and conversations are always open to your questions, concerns, and ideas. Reach out to President Keegan Tripp (keegan.tripp@maine.edu) or Vice President Cynthia Shelmerdine (cynthia.shelmerdine@maine.edu) anytime!