True UMS consortium

UMS should work together as a “system,” whereby all seven campuses operate as a consortium. Why should only UMM, UMPI and UMFK have to work together on a common budget and general education requirements? The same goes for UMA being forced into a merger with USM. UMF should also be required to have to work with the other smaller campuses.

All seven campuses should work together to ease a student in transferring from one campus to the other regarding general education requirements. As an economics and accounting instructor, the numbers used on savings in the proposed plan do not add up. Seems like UMS is using this effort to show that they are saving money when they are not, in an effort to receive more money from the governor and Legislature.

I do not agree with this process.

UM does not want the name “University of Maine” associated or included in the name of any of the smaller campuses. If the “system” is working, graduate education should be able to be provided at UMM, UMFK and UMPI without the need for a consortium.

Richard C. Larson

University of Maine at Machias