From our colleagues at the Associated Faculties of the University of Maine System (AFUM):
We, the faculty, staff, graduate workers, and students across the University of Maine, and their supporters, call on the University of Maine System (UMS) administration and the Board of Trustees to immediately halt all planned faculty retrenchments and staff layoffs at the Universities of Maine in Orono and Machias. UMS leadership must respect and prioritize the workers who make our flagship institution function. Eliminating essential faculty and staff positions will cause lasting and damaging repercussions for student learning, research output, and student retention.
- We demand the University of Maine System and Board of Trustees center a comprehensive learning experience
- We demand the University of Maine System and Board of Trustees request increased state appropriations across the University of Maine System
- We demand the University of Maine System and Board of Trustees reduce salary and benefits expenses of senior administration
- We demand budget transparency from the University of Maine System and Board of Trustees
The University of Maine System administration and Board of Trustees MUST STOP the planned cuts to faculty and staff at the Universities of Maine in Orono and Machias. It is time for this administration to prioritize the students and workers who are crucial to the function and success of the University of Maine System!