FARMINGTON — University of Maine at Farmington President Joe McDonnell provided updates Tuesday evening, July 23, during the Select Board meeting held at the Farmington Municipal Building.

“We feel as if we are a central part of this town and want to be good neighbors to the community,” McDonnell said. “The university, Farmington has had challenges over the years, the decline in demographics, the decline of high school graduates in Maine has had an effect on this university and the entire University [Maine] System.”

There were twice as many undergraduates about 15 years ago compared to now, McDonnell noted. Adjustments are being made to counter that, he said.

Graduate programs have been added to draw those students, although graduate students don’t tend to take as many courses as undergrads do, McDonnell noted. The university is also seeking to attract non-traditional [adult] students who have some college credits, make it hospitable for them to finish their degree, he stated.

“The other challenge that we have had is that the community colleges over the last few years have offered free tuition,” McDonnell said. About 25% of UMF students are eligible for federal and/or state grants to pay tuition but UMF can’t do that for all students, he noted.

Another strategy is to get more students to transfer to UMF after completing community college work, McDonnell stated. “It is a combination of being as aggressive as we can with high school graduates, getting grad students, getting transfer students and getting these adult completers,” he noted. “We are moving forward and hopefully we will be in a position where we will be able to balance our budget this year. Over the last many years we have not been able to balance the budget and that has been a problem.”

McDonnell is optimistic heading into the fall semester. “Our numbers are up compared to last year,” he noted. Students can apply until classes start, he replied when asked about deadlines.

UMF also offers early college credits to high school students, often funded by the state, McDonnell said. Students who do well with those courses don’t need to apply, are admitted directly, he stated.

High school students can take courses online or teachers work in partnership with university staff to teach classes, McDonnell indicated.

Selectman Richard Morton asked about purchase of two buildings and construction seen near the Fitness and Recreation Center. An outdoor gym is being built there where people can exercise outside, McDonnell answered.

McDonnell indicated UMF has 36 majors in five areas:

1. Education [40% of undergraduates, almost 100% of grad students]
2. Creative professions [creative writing, art and music programs]
3. Health [biology, rehabilitation, health wellness and promotion, nursing]
4. Environment [geology, environmental science, environmental planning, anthropology]
5. Business and public policy [outdoor recreation and business, general business, public policy]

“From my perspective, UMF has always been an incredibly important part of Farmington,” Morton stated. “In fact, it’s probably why our downtown is as vital and active as it is, been able to maintain that throughout all of the economic flows back and forth.”

Morton expressed concern that the University Maine System would find UMF to be a low priority, asked if there was a mechanism for community advocacy for UMF.

McDonnell said having seven community colleges and seven public colleges was too many for Maine. “UMF is very important for western Maine,” he stated. “We would appreciate the Board of Visitors and the selectmen and the local community to support, advocate for the university, to recognize this is important for western Maine.”

UMF has strong ties with all western Maine school districts and beyond through its education programs, is trying to become stronger in the area of health, McDonnell said. UMF has secured an almost $0.5 million grant to strengthen some of its programs, he noted.

“We are committed as a public university to serve the community,” McDonnell noted. “This university is not in danger of somebody thinking about closing it.”

John Moore, owner of Narrow Gauge Cinemas serves on the Board of Trustees for the University Maine System. Chair Joshua Bell sits on the Board of Visitors.

When asked about numbers, McDonnell said a decline of about 15% is expected in high school graduates between 2013 and 2027. About 45% of graduates do not go to any college, all colleges and universities are competing against each other to get those students, he stressed.

“It is not just a UMF problem, it’s a University Maine System problem,” Bell said. “One thing I have taken away from the Board of Visitors is our fundraising side could probably help offset [that decline], raise more revenues in donations.”

Town Manager Erica LaCroix spoke of the intern program that is a cooperation between Maine Department of Environmental Protection, UMF and the town. The intern program will be a great collaboration, another thing to market to students, she noted.

LaCroix thought it would be a beneficial relationship for UMF and the town, it would be a real shame for UMF to go anywhere. In her mind, Farmington has always been one of the anchors in the University Maine System.

Students today are much more conscious about where a major will lead, are constantly thinking of career pathways, McDonnell said. UMF programs are being changed, commitments tweaked to have better career opportunities for graduates, he added.