UMaine Machias to become regional campus in July

File Photo / Amber Waterman The University of Maine System Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a partnership between the flagship campus in Orono and UMaine Machias, advancing an initiative launched last year by Chancellor James H. Page to strengthen the Downeast campus.

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By Staff

The University of Maine System Board of Trustees has unanimously approved a partnership between its flagship campus at Orono and UMaine Machias.

James H. Page, chancellor of the University of Maine System, launched the initiative last year to overcome fiscal and demographic challenges that threatened the sustainability of public higher education at the Downeast campus.

As of July 1, UMaine Machias will become a regional campus of UMaine, while keeping its name, tuition rate structure, mission, location and power to grant degrees.

“UMaine students and faculty will see more scholarship, research, and service opportunities through the partnership,” UMaine's trustees stated in a press release issued after a two-day meeting in Augusta.

Dan Demeritt, executive director of public relations for UMS, told Mainebiz that the next step would be for representatives of both campuses to work out practical matters like who reports to whom and opportunities that can be developed through the new partnership.

UMS trustees also got an update on campus budgets in the works for the 2018 fiscal year. Plans for the first in-state tuition increase in six years will be put to a final board vote in May.