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January 19, 2009

Education watch | A roundup of recent education-related news

As the recession deepens and the unemployment rate in Maine continues to edge up, more people are looking to strengthen their job skills with education. But schools are having problems of their own: Universities and colleges across the state are faced with cutting operating costs and laying off employees in order to slash budgets by the millions. Here’s a roundup of the state’s education sector:

  • The University of Maine System is in for some “transformational” changes in the next few years, according to its chancellor, Richard Pattenaude. The seven-university system must chop $42.8 million in spending over the next four years to balance its budget, according to a press release from UMS. Pattenaude attributed the need for cuts to the economic recession, rising health care and energy costs, and a need for technology improvements. A 12-member task force will be formed to study ways to lower operating costs, and Pattenaude will present a final report in July to the trustees using the task force’s recommendations.
  • The University of Southern Maine is looking for ways to cut costs to reduce the number of anticipated layoffs, according to the Portland Press Herald. USM President Selma Botman in November 2008 said she would eliminate about 65 jobs as part of a plan to reduce the school’s budget by $2.7 million. The school is now considering offering early retirement packages to some employees in lieu of layoffs. The school also plans to eliminate travel expenses and technology and library acquisitions. Affected employees will be informed by mid-February.
  • A 20% increase in applications to the Maine Community College System will force colleges to turn away some applicants in the face of ever-tightening budgets. System officials said state budget cuts will prevent the colleges from hiring additional faculty for the most popular programs and courses, according to the Portland Press Herald. The number of applications for the spring semester increased from 2,916 in December 2007 to 3,496 in December 2008.

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