GOVERNANCE AND LEGAL AFFAIRS
Section 202 Appearances Before Board of Trustees

Effective: 6/10/71
Last Revised: 7/22/91, 4/8/24. 11/17/2025
Responsible Office: Clerk of the Board

Policy Statement:

The Board of Trustees allows public comment at all meetings of the Board of Trustees as noticed here: https://www.maine.edu/board-of-trustees/meeting-agendas-materials/board-of-trustees/. The Board of Trustees recognizes a responsibility and duty to hear the views of interested persons on issues directly related to University System policy and ongoing efforts of the University of Maine System.  Each regular meeting of the Board will include an opportunity, prior to the business agenda, for public input at which time individuals will be permitted to address the Board for a period of time established by the Chair.

Personnel decisions, collective bargaining issues, grievances, litigation, and other areas excludable from public discussion under the Maine Freedom of Access Law shall not constitute appropriate matters for such input.  The Chair of the Board will determine any questions of appropriateness and relevancy.

Procedures:

The following procedures pertain to any in person or remote Board of Trustees meeting. The Chair will determine the order of speakers. Each person will be given a specific amount of time to speak as determined by the Chair. Public comments may be made in person at in person Board meetings or remotely though zoom. The chair will assure equal access to both those present and online.

Individuals wanting to speak during a virtual Public Comment must notify the Board Office via the website prior to the meeting date by an established deadline with their name and topic. An online registration link to sign up for Public Comment for virtual meetings will be placed on the Trustee website. This link will allow the individual to fill out an online form that will be submitted directly to the Board Office.  The Board Office will ensure appropriate follow-up and communications to all who sign up prior to the start of the meeting. The Board Office will supply those registered individuals with the appropriate zoom link and they will be admitted to the public meeting when they are called on by the Chair to speak.  Each individual is given a specific amount of time as determined by the Chair to provide their comments, and upon completion of their time will be asked to leave the zoom meeting and will be invited to view the remainder of the Board Meeting through the live stream made available to the general public.

For regularly scheduled Board meetings, individuals wanting to speak during Public Comment may also attend the meeting in person and shall indicate their name and topic on the sign-up sheet at the Board Office table prior to the start of the meeting.  The sign-up sheet will be available prior to the start of the meeting.

Individuals who are not available to attend the meeting or participate remotely can provide a statement in writing to the Board Office prior to the meeting date.  The written statements will be provided to the members of the Board with appropriate follow up by the Board Office if needed.