Graduate Education

The University

Founded in 1865, the University of Maine is the land-grant university of the State of Maine and shares sea-grant college status with the University of New Hampshire. Located on a 660-acre campus adjoining the town of Orono, it is nine miles from Bangor, Maine’s third largest city.
The largest in the state-wide university system, the Orono campus is dynamic and cultural. Enjoying a classic New England setting, the campus offers easy access to both Maine’s urban and rural areas. Last year over 500 students from 70 foreign countries and most American states studied here; more than 35% of the total enrollment regularly is admitted from other states and nations. Culturally, The University of Maine should appeal to every taste. Guest speakers provide insight into current political, social, and scientific thought. Special programs in the arts abound, including theatre productions, musical offerings, and art exhibits. Intercollegiate athletic events occur throughout the academic year.

The full-time faculty numbers over 500. There are nearly 12,000 students enrolled at The University of Maine. The graduate student population exceeds 2,000.

Graduate study at the University of Maine is focused in academic departments within the following colleges: Business; Education and Human Development; Liberal Arts and Sciences; Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture; and Engineering.

Mission

The mission of the Graduate School of the University of Maine is to produce engaged scholars and professionals by promoting excellence in all aspects of the graduate student experience. The School provides advanced education and professional training through innovative teaching, mentorship, research, and creative activity in established and emerging areas. This rigorous education prepares students to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of the state of Maine, the nation and the global community.

Graduate Study and Graduate Life
Graduate work has been available at the University of Maine for many years. The first master’s degree was conferred in 1881; the first doctoral degree in 1960. Since 1923, graduate work has been a separate division of the University. Today the master’s degree is offered in over 75 areas of study and the doctorate in 30 areas.

In addition to coordinating graduate admissions in conjunction with individual graduate programs, the Graduate School has primary responsibility for administering the policies and procedures relating to graduate study. Graduate School policy is made by the Graduate Faculty, acting through its representative body, the Graduate Board.

Graduate work in Maine is concentrated at two of the seven units of The University of Maine system: The flagship campus of The University of Maine, in Orono, and the University of Southern Maine. University of Maine graduate courses are offered on other campuses/centers and via distance education on a program-by-program basis, including the Master of Social Work degree, the cooperative PhD in biological sciences, the PhD in biomedical science, and the PhD in Biomedical Engineering. The College of Education and Human Development has outreach centers throughout the State offering a Master of Education and CAS degree.

Online Education: The Division of Lifelong Learning in partnership with the Graduate School and the academic colleges has developed a number of online and blended graduate degree programs including Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Education (Elementary and Secondary Education, Special Education, Instructional Technology, and Literacy), Master of Arts (Interdisciplinary Studies and Teaching), Master of Science (Information Systems and Spatial Informatics) and Professional Science Master (Bioinformatics and Engineering and Business). A variety of graduate certificates are also offered online. For a full list of online offerings see https://online.umaine.edu/. Nonresident graduate students enrolled in University of Maine online programs are eligible for a discounted e-tuition rate of 125% of the Maine resident tuition rate (a tuition savings of $881 per credit hour). The Hutchinson Center in Belfast also offers graduate courses leading to a number of professionally-oriented master’s degrees.

Graduate School Office:

The Graduate School’s staff located on the ground level of the Stodder Graduate Center is available to assist graduate students in both academic and personal matters. The staff offers advice concerning admission, registration, degree requirements, thesis format, procedures for changing programs, and the availability of fellowships and scholarships as well as housing information. Students are encouraged to contact this office concerning any matters for which additional information is needed. The Stodder Graduate Center also houses the offices of the Graduate Student Government and a residence hall for single graduate students and graduate student couples (https://umaine.edu/graduate/housing/).

Auxiliary Services
Auxiliary Services provides on-campus housing for graduate students in Stodder Hall, and graduate students with families at University Park. Auxiliary Services also operates UMaine Dining, providing dining services for the entire campus community.

Housing: Stodder Hall is a coed facility that offers continuous housing throughout the year. The majority of the rooms are single occupancy with a limited number of double occupancy rooms. The room and board license covers the academic year. Graduate students may also apply for summer housing. Daily use guest rooms are also available for graduate students who commute. Stodder Hall is smoke-free.

The Graduate School operates a Graduate Center in Stodder Hall to serve all graduate students at the University of Maine. The Center is an intellectual, cultural and social center that offers computing and other academic resources, photocopy equipment, and social space. The Center shares space on the first floor with the offices of the Graduate School and the Graduate Student Government creating a comprehensive support environment for graduate students. Both the Graduate School and the Graduate Student Government offer a number of workshops and activities through the Graduate Center.

Eligibility for Housing:
• Graduate students must be matriculated and enrolled in University of Maine course work. Verification of graduate status will be made by the Graduate School.
• If in compliance with all other requirements, graduate students may remain in the residence hall for up to five continuous years.

Graduate students with families (spouse or partner, and/or children) may apply to live at University Park Family Housing. For more information and an application please call (207) 581-4854 or e-mail: jkosnow@maine.edu or visit our web site at: http://umaine.edu/housing/family-housing/.

UMaine Dining Meal Plan Information: UMaine Dining is pleased to offer our student customers various options to purchase meals that are designed to provide value, flexibility, and convenient spending; along with a variety of professional restaurant facilities, right here on campus! Our friendly staff is dedicated in providing a wide selection of healthy and fresh dining options whether it is a familiar home favorite to gourmet and international cuisine.

A meal plan is required for all on-campus residents (with the exception of the apartment-style housing at DTAV and Patch). Graduate residents and commuter students have a variety of meal plan options. Find out more about on-campus dining at www.umaine.edu/dining.

Contact Information:
Housing Services, 5734 Hilltop, Suite 103, Orono, ME 04469-5734. E-mail: um.housing@maine.edu
UMaine Dining, 5734 Hilltop, Suite 101, Orono, ME 04469-5734. Email: um.dining@maine.edu

Services for Commuter and Non-Traditional Students. Commuter and Non-Traditional Student Programs (CNTSP) advocates for and responds to the needs of the University’s commuter students (any student who does not live in University housing) and non-traditional students. (generally 24 or older, assuming responsibilities in addition to studies, such as parent, spouse or partner, family caretaker, or employee, back in school after several years of employment, homemaking, or other activity and /or are veterans of the armed services.)

CNTSP provides students with information about programs and services, as well as personal and academic support and referrals. Knowledgeable staff are available in the Commuter Lounge in the Wade Center on the ground floor of Memorial Union, 8AM to 9PM Mon-Thurs, and 8AM-7PM Fri. Services provided include off-campus housing information, microwave, refrigerator, free coffee and lockers rentals. Programming includes monthly First Friday Bagels, weekly sessions with campus resources, family friendly events and a family friendly/lactation space. For additional information, contact CNTSP by phone at (207) 581-1734 or UM.CNTSP@maine.edu Visit the CNTSP web page at http://www.umaine.edu/cntsp/

Veterans Education and Transition Services (V.E.T.S.) provides advocacy, support, resources and programs that serve the needs of the UMaine veteran population. These services include VA certification for both student veterans and veterans’ dependents who are accessing VA educational benefits. The VETS office offers, Veterans Week, Student- Veteran Orientation, M-Project Guides (peer mentors for new student- veterans), Student-Veterans Awareness Panels and a Veterans Lounge. V.E.T.S. is located at 143 Memorial Union. http://www.umaine.edu/veterans

Safety and Environmental Management Department. (SEM) supports UMaine’s mission of advancing learning and discovery through excellence, innovation, research and public service by providing safety and environmental training, guidance, and consultation services to the campus. SEM policies are drafted to foster a safe and healthful campus and research environment in addition to meeting Board of Trustees policies and Federal and State regulatory requirements. SEM also supports all University of Maine System campuses as part of its role in the University of Maine System’s Department of Facilities Management and General Services. This role was developed as part of the Mission Excellence initiative to help focus scarce public higher education resources and ensure our systems, structures, processes, and employees are efficient and effective.

Annual Basic Safety Training and Annual Department Safety Training is required for all regular, part time, temporary and student employees. Classes are offered throughout the semester and training is available online through Blackboard. Log into the UMaine Portal (Intranet) https://my.umaine.edu/ to access Blackboard and click on the Blackboard icon. Basic Safety should be listed on your course list. More information may be found at https://sem.umaine.edu/safety-training/. Refresher training must be completed on an annual basis. Additional annual area specific training is conducted within each department, laboratory, or operational unit. Specific information may be obtained from the laboratory manager or your supervisor. Other Safety Training may also be required based on the functions of the work assigned. If you have any safety or environmental concerns that you cannot resolve at the department level, please contact SEM for assistance at 581-4055.

Cutler Health Center (www.umaine.edu/cutler)

To meet the needs of the students at the University of Maine, Cutler Health Center offers comprehensive healthcare to the University campus community. Clinical services at Cutler Health Center are provided by Eastern Maine Medical Center. Services offered include but are not limited to: general medical care including the treatment of acute medical problems or injuries, chronic illness, immunizations, women’s health issues, contraception, sexual health, smoking cessation, skin cancer screening and many other health promotion programs including consultations performed by local specialists. Cutler Health Center also provides students with an on-site laboratory, massage therapy, physical therapy and x-ray.

The clinical staff includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, consultants, wellness educator, athletic trainer and physical therapist.

All graduate students including teaching and research assistants are welcome to use the health center for medical care. We also provide services to University of Maine employees and their dependents. Cutler Health Center is a primary care provider with physicians available to take care of your primary care needs. Review Cutler’s website for a biography of providers to help with your primary care provider selection. Please be sure to make contact with your insurance company if you choose to change your primary care provider (PCP) to one of the Cutler Health Center’s providers.

Appointments: We offer appointment-based care Monday - Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Students should arrive at the health center at least 10 to 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment to allow adequate time for the check-in process to be completed. An appointment can be requested by calling 207-581-4000.

Walk-in Care: Cutler Health Center has walk-in care hours from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday thru Friday for acute injuries and illness. Walk-in care services are provided based on the order you arrive. You can monitor the daily wait time of the walk-in care services by downloading the Campus SideKick mobile app for both Apple and Android devices at http://umaine.edu/auxservices/app/

myEMHS health: myEMHS health is a secure, convenient, no cost way for you to manage health and wellness information for you and your family. With myEMHS health you have a secure, easy to navigate place to request appointments or prescription refills, review test results, communicate with your healthcare team, and more. myEMHS health provides you with a stronger voice in your own health. Your healthcare provider will invite you to join myEMHS health. After you register you will receive an email asking you to confirm the registration and create a secure, individualized, personal login. After that is completed, you can exchange health-related messages in this secure setting with your healthcare team.

Appointment Cancellation Policy: (Notify Us in Advance). Students who make an appointment and cannot keep the allotted appointment time have the responsibility to call the Cutler Health Center appointment line at 207-581-4000 or send a secure message via myEMHShealth to cancel or reschedule their appointment in advance, 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment time.

Radiology and Laboratory services: Cutler Health Center accepts orders from all Eastern Maine Medical Center affiliated hospitals and physician practices. The order must be from an Eastern Maine Medical Center provider. Orders must provide the diagnosis and specify the phone number and office address of the physician ordering the tests.

Women’s Health Services: Women’s Health Services include annual exams, emergency contraception counseling, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases and infections, pregnancy testing, pregnancy options counseling and referral, breast exams and self-breast exam education, birth control provisions, as well as assessment and treatment of urinary tract infections. For consultation, follow-up, and referral for a variety of women’s concerns including PMS, menopause, colposcopy, biopsy for abnormal pap evaluation call 207-581-4000.

Emergency Services: In an EMERGENCY please dial 911 from any phone. The University of Maine operates a state licensed volunteer ambulance service U.V.A.C. (University Volunteer Ambulance Corps). This ambulance service responds to all campus locations and operates mutually with surrounding community emergency services.

Non- Emergency Transportation Support: If it is determined you need to go to a hospital or local clinic but it is not an emergency, Cutler Health Center provides “free” taxi transport to and from the hospital, urgent care center, specialist referrals and pharmacies; 7 days a week/24 hours a day (see After Hours Services). Contact 581-4000 for more information.

After Hours Service: A health care provider is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Coverage varies for each break so please check the website for details. The medical answering service is available to coordinate taxi transportation to and from the hospital, urgent care center, specialist referrals and pharmacies 7 days a week/24 hours a day. Calling 207-581-4000 when the Health Center is closed activates the service. There is no charge for the taxi service. The costs of all hospital, emergency room, medication, radiology, laboratory, non-health-center physician, and/or other services are the responsibility of the student.

Counseling Center. The Counseling Center has licensed Psychologists, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Doctoral level Psychology Interns that provide short term, free and confidential group and individual counseling for graduate students enrolled in 1 or more credits. The Counseling Center is open M-F, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and is located on the Northeast side of Cutler Health Building (across from Gannett Hall).To request counseling services, please call 207 581-1392, or visit the office to schedule a Brief Phone Interview so we can learn about your situation and recommend appropriate services. For needs that are beyond our scope of practice we will assist with referrals to appropriate resources.

The Counseling Center also provides outreach, educational and prevention programs in the Mind Spa located in the Counseling Center Office of Outreach, Education and Prevention. The Mind Spa at 120 Memorial Union (adjacent to the ATM machines) is open M-F, 11am to 4:30 pm, and students may attend daily programs or simply walk in during those hours. To learn more about Counseling Center services and programs and to access on- The Counseling Center is open M-F, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and is located on the Northeast side of Cutler Health Center Building (across from Gannett Hall). The Counseling Center is open M-F, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and is located on the Northeast side of Cutler Health Center Building (across from Gannett Hall).line resources please visit our website at: www.umaine.edu/counseling.

Career Center. The Career Center assists graduate students in planning for professional careers. Services available include individual career counseling, career information for exploring options, assistance in identifying potential employers, resume/vita critiques, job search strategy sessions, mock interviews using video equipment, job listings, employer information, and information packets on preparing for an academic job search. Students may access job listings via CareerLink on the Career Center website which gives students immediate access to career services and job listings nationwide. The Health and Legal Professions Program is also part of the Career Center, and students considering law school or professional school in the health professions are encouraged to make an appointment with a career counselor. (with our Health and Legal Professions Career Specialist - take out). There is no charge to students for these services. The Career Center is located on the third floor of the Memorial Union and is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For further information, call 581-1359 or access our website: www.umaine.edu/career

Peace Corps Recruiting. The University hosts a Peace Corps recruiter on a regular basis who conducts interviews, provides informational sessions, and is available for class presentations. Contact information for the New England Peace Corps recruiter may be obtained by calling the Career Center in the Memorial Union at 581-1359. The Peace Corps offers graduating students the opportunity to make a difference in another part of the world while gaining valuable personal and professional experience. Volunteers are needed for a wide variety of fields, including ESL, education, forestry, environmental education, parks & wildlife, and small business development.

Office of International Programs. The Office of International Programs (OIP) has primary responsibility for coordinating and promoting UMaine international initiatives, exchanges, and programs. The OIP fosters and supports international education on campus and strives to advance international understanding and global awareness.

The Office of International Programs is responsible for admission of undergraduate international students; establishing and coordinating successful university linkages, exchanges, and study abroad programs for students and faculty; immigration processing and advising; the University’s exchange visitor program; and, international student orientation and support services. With academic departments, the OIP promotes internationalization of the curriculum and sponsors activities, seminars, and programs to promote international awareness both on campus and in the community. Services to foreign nationals include immigration, cultural and academic advising, and various social activities including a weekly coffee hour. There is an active International Student Association. Every fall OIP offers Culturefest, a celebration of cultures through exihibits, arts and food, and an International Dance Festival in the spring. The office also provides support to faculty and researchers.

The University of Maine’s Study Abroad Program is located in the Office of International Programs and there are opportunities for graduate students to participate in an international experience. For more information call 581-1509 or visit OIP in 240 Estabrooke Hall.

For additional information call 581-3437, e-mail international@maine.edu, or visit www.umaine.edu/international.

Student Accessibility Services. The Student Accessibility Services (SAS) office provides accommodations for students with documented physical, mental health, and learning disabilities. Students must contact SAS and provide documentation of their disability before being approved for accommodations. SAS provides testing accommodations, alternative format textbooks, note takers, classroom relocation, other auxiliary aids, as well as housing accommodations. The SAS staff promotes personal responsibility for students with disabilities and educates them about their rights and responsibilities, providing equal access to meet or exceed the standards expected of all UMaine students. For further information please contact Student Accessibility Services via phone at 207.581.2319 or visit our website at www.umaine.edu/studentaccessibility.

Graduate Student Government. The Graduate Student Government (GSG) continues to nurture a long tradition of graduate students who join together in research, mutual academic concerns, and educational and social activities. The GSG is the delegated governing unit for the graduate student body as pronounced by the University of Maine and the Board of Trustees (BOT). It is administered by an Executive Committee of Officers elected each year. The GSG maintains a healthy, professional and working relationship with the University Administration in order to best serve the graduate student community and the University as a whole. The Graduate Student Government is composed of Senators from various graduate departments and programs within the colleges of the University of Maine. Dependent upon the particular department, program, and the number of graduate students enrolled, each graduate department or program is encouraged to send at least one (1) graduate student to be a voting member of the GSG. It is the mission of the GSG to support both the academic and non-academic activities of the graduate student body. Keeping with its mission, GSG will continue to perform the following duties: act as a liaison between the University of Maine’s Administration, faculty, staff and graduate students; encourage graduate students’ involvement in GSG activities and University functions; facilitate and encourage educational, professional and research activities of graduate students; disseminate information regarding graduate activities to graduate students, Administration, faculty, staff and the campus community as a whole; represent graduate student interests to the University community, the state of Maine, and national organizations. The GSG meets every other week to discuss and vote on matters of policy, procedure and budget. These meetings are open to all graduate students. They are invited to not only attend these meetings, but also become more involved on campus and in the community! There are several committees within the GSG that bring together Senators to focus on a specific topic, including, but not limited to health insurance, services, and finance. The GSG has the ability to make a difference in all aspects and levels of the University of Maine, such as influencing University policy decisions, serving on University committees and sponsoring special services to graduate students.

Funding for Graduate Students: The primary responsibility of the Graduate Student Government is directed toward the academic concerns of graduate students. This includes grants reviews and awards processes each semester. This year, approximately $74,000 was awarded to graduate students for research, travel, conferences and other degree-related expenses. Since its inception, the GSG has awarded over $1,000,000 in grants. The GSG is able to provide funding for numerous graduate students and plan various social and educational events in most part due to the Graduate Student Activity Fee.
Graduate Student Recognition (Hooding) Ceremony: The Graduate Student Government was instrumental in initiating the Graduate Student Recognition (Hooding) Ceremony, which has become an annual event and an integral part of graduate education at the University of Maine.
Student Symposium: Research & Creative Activity: Each spring, the Graduate Student Government co-sponsors the Student Symposium to showcase the best of graduate and undergraduate students’ research efforts and innovation.
Clubs and Organizations: The Graduate Student Government also sponsors over 25 clubs and organizations that benefit the graduate student body. If there’s a club or an organization not listed, but that you would like sponsored by the GSG, then think about starting up your own! It’s fun and easy!
Health Insurance: We advocate for better health insurance options and coverage for all graduate students, including graduate assistants (GAs), research assistants (RAs), teaching assistants (TAs), and graduate students who are not on assistantships.
How to Contact Us: For more information, please email us at umainegsgpresident@gmail.com and visit the GSG website at https://umaine.edu/gsg/. Become a fan of the GSG on Facebook, follow the GSG on Twitter, or stop by Stodder Hall to say hello! We would love to hear from you! We hope to see you soon!

Campus Recreation is a central student service in the Division of Student Life, and offers a wide variety of recreational programming. Maine Bound, which is part of Campus Recreation, offers a wealth of indoor and outdoor recreation and education opportunities. Available to students through their recreation fee, and to faculty/staff and community members under the paid membership plans, Campus Recreation and Maine Bound offer a wonderful variety of recreation and fitness choices. Open Recreation is available in the state-of-the-art New Balance Student Recreation Center (NBSRC), as well as the Bridge Tennis Courts, Wallace Pool, and Mahaney Dome. Amenities at these facilities include over 140 pieces of weight/cardio equipment, 3 basketball/volleyball courts, 2 racquetball/squash courts, 1 multi-activity court, 2 multi-purpose group exercise studios, competitive lap pool, leisure pool with spa, sauna, and vortex, indoor turf field, indoor track, and eight outdoor lighted tennis courts. The NBSRC offers a wide range of group fitness classes, and many other fitness programs including personal training. Numerous intramural sports are available for men, women and coed. Campus Recreation maintains more than 15 miles of trails in the University’s DeMeritt Forest for hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, and skiing. Outdoor gear such as tents, canoes, kayaks, cross country skis and snowshoes are available for rent at Maine Bound. Sports equipment such as racquets, weight belts, and balls for various sports are available for checkout in the Rec Center. Lockers are available for rental or for complimentary day use. The Maine Bound Adventure Center, located near the Collins Center for the Arts, houses an indoor rock climbing tower and bouldering wall. Trips, clinics and courses (credit and noncredit) are available in kayaking, canoeing, climbing, backpacking, hiking, camping, snowshoeing, skiing and more. For more information, visit the Campus Recreation website http://www.umaine.edu/campusrecreation.

Memorial Union. The Memorial Union is one of the two major student hubs on campus (the New Balance Student Recreation Center being the other one). Many student support services are located in the Memorial Union. These include the following: University Bookstore; the Multicultural Center; Title IX Student Services; the Career Center; the Commuter Lounge, the Student Wellness Resource Center; the Hackerspace; the Veterans Center; the First Year and Transfer Student Center; the Package and Postal Center; the Student Service Center (parking pass, MaineCard, etc.); the University Credit Union and ATMs; the Rainbow Resource Center (LGBTQ support/services); the Bodwell Center for Service and Volunteerism; and the Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students Office. In addition to all of these services, the Bear’s Den (food court) is on the main (2nd floor) of the Union and includes the campus pub. The Union is a great place to meet and hang out with friends and colleagues. It is also the site of a wonderful variety of events and activities such as the International Student Coffee hour, comedians and musicians, films, lectures and a great many other things. The Maine Campus (student newspaper), WMEB (student radio station), and the Spirit Room (Bananas the Bear Display) are also found in the Memorial Union. The Union is host to many conferences and meetings, and rooms can be reserved by calling (207) 581-1406.

The Package and Postal Center: The Package and Postal Center is located on the lower level of the Union and is home to the post office. You can buy stamps, send/receive packages, etc. In fact, all packages deliverable to residence halls come to the Center for easy, secure, and convenient student pick up. The Center is also the quick copy center on campus. They do color and black/white copying, binding, and transparencies.

Student Service Center: The Student Service Center is located next to the University Credit Union on the first floor of the Union. Students can get their Maine Cards, replacement Maine Cards, and their parking passes at the Student Service Center. Many other services are also available including notary public, meal plan purchases/changes, and Black Bear Bucks. Contact them at 207-581-2273.

The University Bookstore is centrally located in the heart of campus on the lower level of the Memorial Union. The Bookstore offers many competitively priced options for course material such as rentals, digital delivery as well as used and new textbooks. As the official bookstore of the University of Maine the Bookstore can guarantee you will get the correct material to meet your academic needs while still being competitive with such online sellers as Amazon. The Bookstore not only features course materials but carries one of the largest selections of official UMaine clothing and gifts, official class rings and electronics. As an Authorized Apple Campus Store, the Bookstore offers educational discount pricing for students on Apple computer products as well as an assortment of PC’s with a professional computer service & repair center available on site. Contact the Bookstore at 207-581-1700 or go to umaine.edu/bookstore.

The Division of Student Life. The Division of Student Life provides a network of student-oriented programs and services, which address a variety of student needs. Our services are unique; they are dynamic collaborations of multiple efforts, from leadership programs and ethnic cultural celebrations to volunteer activities, health education opportunities, and outdoor adventure programs. In addition, we provide an appointed liaison from our office committed to serving graduate students’ specific needs. We are here for personal advice, for small and large problems, and for educational life concerns. For more information or to schedule an appointment with a graduate student advocate, please call 581-1406 or visit us on the website at http://umaine.edu/studentlife/

Collins Center for the Arts. Opened in 1986, the Collins Center for the Arts is a cultural and artistic centerpiece for eastern and northern Maine. The CCA presents world-class performances appealing to diverse interests and age groups. Each season brings a wide variety of performances, including Broadway tours, nationally-known comedians, legendary musicians and singers, renowned dancers, family shows, live theatre, and much more. The 1,435 Hutchins Concert Hall provides the perfect venue to see your favorite events. The John I. and Elizabeth E. Patches Chamber Music Series brings some of the finest instrumental and vocal chamber musicians in the world to Orono, Maine. The Collins Center is home to one of the largest broadcast screens in Maine, where they present two exciting broadcast series: The Metropolitan Opera’s award-winning “The Met: Live in HD” and “National Theatre Live,” broadcasting the best of British theatre recorded live from the London stage. The Collins Center for the Arts is proud to be the home of the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, one of the oldest, continually-operating community orchestras in the nation. Each year, the Symphony performs the Nutcracker, and other orchestral masterworks for thousands of fans. The Collins Center is also the perfect place to see arts education in action with performances presented by UMaine’s School of Performing Arts ensembles. Additionally, the Collins Center plays hosts to a number of campus and community events, including performances, lectures, rallies and public forums. For more information about the CCA’s performances and events, visit www.collinscenterforthearts.com.

The Hudson Museum. The Hudson Museum, is the gateway for The University of Maine’s students, faculty and staff for exploring and understanding the cultural diversity of our global family. The Museum’s collections features an extraordinary collection of Pre-Columbian artifacts ranging from Olmec to Aztec - The William P. Palmer III Collection, Native American holdings from Maine, the Southwest, Northwest Coast, Arctic, and Plains, as well as collections from Africa, Oceania and Asia. The Museum hosts temporary and permanent exhibit, offers guided tours and gallery programs, lectures, workshops and an annual Maine Indian Basketmakers Market. It also offers staff assistance for directed research projects and internships. For further information, please call 581-1904 or visit us on the web at www.umaine.edu/hudsonmuseum.

Emera Astronomy Center. Emera Astronomy Center on Rangeley Road opened in 2014 as Maine’s largest and most advanced astronomy facilities of its kind, financed by the generous contributions of private donors. The facility houses the Maynard F. Jordan Planetarium featuring a 10 meter dome, digital 4K projection system, and digital 5.1 audio. The Jordan Observatory with a 20 inch PlaneWave research telescope, and the Clark Observatory which has been relocated to this facility host the 8 inch Alvin Clark refractor for visual astronomy viewing. Intended for the use of students, researchers, and the public, the facility offers a variety of astronomy and other science programs throughout the year and serves as a resource of the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Even on cloudy days, audiences in the planetarium can enjoy a view of the stars and journeys of adventure through space and to the limits of the imagination. Public showings are offered on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons, along with other selected times. Private programs can be arranged for school classes, private groups, birthday parties, families and more.

For more information visit the Emera Astronomy Center web site: Astro.UMaine.edu.

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program. Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies can enhance any graduate program by increasing students’ understanding of the roles that gender and sexual identity play in social organization, culture, and individual experience. The WGS Program began in 1981 as a project designed to improve education for all students through the inclusion of the experience and ideas of women in courses throughout the University. It developed into a freestanding academic program offering undergraduate degrees as well as the formal interdisciplinary specialization in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, available for both masters and doctoral students. Graduate students may take courses with the WGS designator at the 400, 500, and 600 levels and appropriate courses from other departments. The WGS faculty can advise graduate students about appropriate courses for their degree programs and suggest faculty members for their committees. WGS maintains a lending library of DVDs in its Fernald Hall offices, available for use by the University community and the wider community as well. Graduate students are encouraged to attend and participate in other WGS Program activities. For more information about WGS activities and to receive mailings, please stop by the office in 201 Fernald Hall or call 581-1228. Visit our Web page at http://umaine.edu/womensgenderandsexualitystudies/