BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The University of Southern Maine will maintain all three campus, said the University of Maine System board Wednesday. USM operates campuses in Portland, Gorham and Lewiston-Auburn.
In early October, USM announced major cuts to address its $16-million budget shortfall. THe university plans to cut 50 faculty positions and eliminate an undergraduate degree in French and a graduate degree in Applied Medical Sciences.
Last week, the UMaine system said the USM Faculty Senate proposed an alternative plan that included shutting down one of the three campuses. The proposal did not specify which campus to close or offer supporting data.
"The suggestion that USM should close one of its campuses to close its budget gap is short sighted and is inconsistent with current law," offered Board of Trustee Chair Sam Collins. "Our Lewiston-Auburn campus serves Maine's second largest population center and state statute mandates that USM include campuses in Gorham and Portland."
Title 20-A MRSA (section 10901-A) states that the University of Maine System consists of seven universities and defines the locations. USM is defined as being located in Portland and Gorham.
UMaine said that USM's Lewiston-Auburn campus serves the second most populated area in Maine. The Gorham campus includes residential buildings, athletic fields, space for performances and engineering and technology facilities. The Portland campus has the Muskie School and the School of Law.
USM President David Flanagan said the university will continue to find reasonable efficiencies to best serve students in all campuses.
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