The University of Maine System reported that classes resumed for 26,655 students on March 25 following a spring break that was extended by two days to allow for the transition to distance instruction and other venues for the completion of the spring semester.
Maine’s public universities remained operational but most faculty and staff were working remotely, and public access to university facilities was restricted in keeping with guidance from public health officials and directives from Gov. Janet Mills.
Campus occupancy has been reduced 95 percent from the residence hall population of 5,809 students prior to the March 13 start of spring break. Two days before the start of spring break the University of Maine announced plans to transition to distance instruction and significantly reduce residence hall occupancy in response to the emerging health crisis.
Pass/Fail Options Extended
Maine’s public universities extended the deadline for students to choose Pass/Fail options for their course work in recognition of the extraordinary transitions students, faculty, and staff are making in their personal lives and in their academic plans.
“For many students the learning modalities we’ll use to finish this semester will be different then how we started and all of us have had to make a fast adjustment to a new but necessary way of life.” said Chancellor Malloy. “We will need to be patient with each other, learn quickly from our mistakes, and adapt to flexible solutions that always put students first now and when we are eventually able to transition back to in-person instruction.”
46% Credit Adjustment on Room and Board Charges
Room and board adjustments for students who have checked out of residence halls on University of Maine System campuses were being posted to students’ accounts. The University of Maine System decided on a 46% credit adjustment on both room charges and board charges.
The percentage is based on 102 days of the full semester the student would have been in a residence hall; there were 47 days remaining in the term as of March 13. This percentage will be applied at all campuses. Once adjustments are posted campus staff will begin processing refunds for those eligible. The adjustments and issuing of refunds are expected to be complete by March 31, 2020.
Decisions on adjustments to meal plan charges for those who remained on campus will be determined soon, the System said. Once a decision has been reached at a campus, adjustments will be posted and any refunds for those eligible will be processed immediately.