New policy to cover academic accommodations, rebates, re-admission, and a family university housing guarantee for spouse and dependents of mobilized or activated students
Augusta, Maine: The University of Maine System announced today that it is finalizing a new Student Military and Mobilization and Activation Policy to support students called to duty in response to local, regional, national or international emergency situations. The policy will cover academic accommodations available to students, tuition and housing rebates, re-admission, and provides a guarantee that a spouse and dependents residing in family university housing can continue renting or leasing their quarters through a mobilization or activation period.
The expected effective date of the policy will coincide with Veterans Day week and more than 20 Veterans observances occurring across the campuses this year to honor the service and sacrifice of Veterans.
“We work hard to meet the unique needs of students who are veterans or members of the armed forces and national guard,” said Dannel Malloy, Chancellor of the University of Maine System. “Our new policy highlights the many ways we will accommodate and support students when their service to our nation interrupts their education.”
“Next week we celebrate Veterans Day and the 244th birthday of the United States Marine Corp,” said Robert Placido, Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for the University of Maine System. “It is fitting that we finalize our new activation and mobilization policy as we honor the service of Veterans across our campuses.”
Students who are in the Maine National Guard receive a full tuition waiver from the Univeristy of Maine System. There are 1,481 Veteran or dependent students enrolled in the Univeristy of Maine System this semester who have benefited from VA Chapter Benefits at some point in their educational career. 892 of those students (491 Veterans and 401 dependents) are receiving VA Chapter Benefits this term.
The University of Maine System has received national recognition for the military friendly culture on its campuses and continues to serve more GI Bill recipients than any other Maine educational institution, public or private.
Deployed Student Success Story
Mike Adams of Harpswell, Maine, is a former member of the Maine Army National Guard who was deployed for nine months to Afghanistan in August of 2013 after completing just one semester at the University of Southern Maine. With the support of USM’s Veterans Services Office he was able to transition home and resume his education.
Mike is now in his final year at the University of Maine School of Law. He will graduate without student loan debt as a result of his GI Bill and VA Vocational Rehabilitation benefits, and a scholarship from the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
“My deployment to Afghanistan completely upended my college plans just as I was getting started,” said former Maine Army National Guard Member Mike Adams. “The support that I received from Veterans Services at USM helped me get back on track. I am glad to know there will be a new policy in place at our public universities to provide every activated service member with the certainty and support I received.”
Link to Photo of Mike Adamswith recommended caption: Mike Adams and his grandfather, Retired Command Sergeant Major, Anthony Cincotta of Berwick, Maine.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
Mike Adams can be contacted at seth.adams@maine.edu or (207) 751-3842.
USM Veteran Services: Lorraine.Spaulding@maine.edu, (207) 780-5232 / (207) 831-6008
Distributed 11/8/19