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June 24, 2009

UMS report: Align agenda with state economic goals

A task force charged with revamping the state's university system released a draft report yesterday that calls for increasing the system's financial viability and economic impact.

The draft report by the "New Challenges, New Directions" task force includes a number of recommendations, which include aligning the state's economic goals with the system's public agenda and "prioritizing the half billion dollars in university spending annually to match the System's policy priorities." The report also suggests reducing competition and duplication among campuses by "differentiating campus missions," developing more integrated and distance learning programs, and streamlining the credit transfer process. To boost the system's financial stability, the task force also recommends revising its financial model for more strategic use of funds, and increasing its efforts to recruit Maine high school graduates, community college students looking for a four-year degree and adult students. Read the entire report here.

The task force is one of three groups appointed by UMS Chancellor Richard Pattenaude in February to address a potential $50 million budget shortfall in the next four years. The task force is seeking public comment on the report before presenting it to Pattenaude and the board of trustees on July 13, according to the Portland Press Herald.

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