GOVERNANCE AND LEGAL AFFAIRS
Section 202 Appearances Before Board of Trustees

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

Policy Statement:

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:

For in person regularly scheduled Board meetings, individuals wanting to speak during Public Comment must be physically present at the meeting 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 can provide a statement in writing to the Board Office prior to the scheduled meeting date.  The written statements will be provided to the members of the Board.

For remote meetings, the Board Office will enable multiple resources to allow individuals  to indicate their desire to participate in Public  Comment. Individuals wanting to speak during a virtual Public  Comment must notify the Board Office in writing (email to ums.trustees@maine.edu)  prior to the meeting date 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 occurs prior to the start of the meeting. The Board Office will supply those registered individuals with the appropriate zoom link and will be admitted to the public meeting when they are called on by the Chair to speak.  Each individual is given three minutes 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. Individuals who are not available to attend the meeting 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.