A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Academic Advisor
An individual who helps students map out their academic plans, select courses, and adhere to academic regulations. Students are assigned an academic advisor for each major they have declared. Many academic advisors are faculty members, however the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Education and Human Development both have general advising centers with non-faculty advisors. Students typically meet with their academic advisors at least once per semester, and are required to meet with them to obtain their Enrollment PIN, which is necessary to register for classes on MaineStreet.
Check the right side of your Mainestreet Student Center page to find out who your academic advisor is. Note that students with multiple majors or minors may have multiple advisors.
Academic Affairs
The division of UMaine that includes all academic support services for students, such as the Tutor
Program, Admissions, Explorations, Foundations, & Academic Recovery Program. All of UMaine’s colleges and schools- such as the Honors College and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences- fall under Academic Affairs.
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is based upon honesty. All students are expected to be honest in their academic endeavors. All academic work should be performed in a manner that will provide an honest reflection of the knowledge and abilities of each student. Any breach of academic honesty is regarded as a serious offense by all members of the academic community. As per the University of Maine System’s Student Code of Conduct, cheating and plagiarism can result in failing an assignment, failing a class, or dismissal from the University of Maine.
Academic Department
An academic subsection of a college or school. Most of the colleges at the University of Maine have several departments, each hosting their own majors and minors.
Academic Probation
Students are placed on academic probation following a semester in which his or her accumulative GPA falls below 2.0. A student on probation who does not raise his or her accumulative GPA to at least a 2.0 after one semester of probationary status may face academic suspension. A student on academic probation will be required to meet certain conditions defined by his or her college Dean.
Academic Recovery Program (ARP)
The Academic Recovery Program is a pass/fail course for first-year students on academic probation during the spring semester that will enhance their ability to successfully develop critical academic skills, utilize available supportive resources, and balance academic demands. Students will identify and understand the tools that will facilitate a succesful college experience, and in so doing, share the traditions, mission, and academic expectations of the University of Maine.
Click here for more information on the Academic Recovery Program.
Click here for the UMaine Foundations, Explorations, and Academic Recovery Facebook page.
Academic Suspension
Academic suspension indicates that a student is separated from the University of Maine for a minimum of one semester. A student must file an application for readmission. Suspension is the usual action when a student fails to make normal progress toward graduation, and can be a result of not improving the cumulative GPA to above 2.0 while on academic probation.
ACC- Assistant Community Coordinator
Assistant Community Coordinators are part-time graduate-level students who live in the residence halls and assist the Community Coordinators in the management of one residential complex of up to three residence halls, including the supervision of the RA staff.
Click here to find out how who the ACCs of your complex are and how to contact them.
Add a Class
The University of Maine allows students to add courses at any time from the first day of a student’s eligible Enrollment Period through the fifth day of classes each semester. This can be done through the class registration feature in MaineStreet.
Adjunct Professor/Adjunct Instructor
A professor or instructor who typically works part-time or does not hold a long-term contract.
Alfond Arena
5,124-seat multi-purpose arena. The Alfond Arena opened in 1977 and is home to many athletic groups such as the ice hockey team.
Click here for more information about Athletic events.
Androscoggin Hall
Housing for first year students. Androscoggin Hall is located in the Stewart Quad and is partnered with Knox Hall to make the Knox-Androscoggin Complex.
Click here for more information about Androscoggin Hall.
Androscoggin Hall Facebook page.
Aroostook Hall
Housing for upperclass students. Aroostook Hall is combined with York Hall and Kennebec Hall to create the YAK Complex.
Click here for more information about Aroostook Hall.
Aroostook Hall Facebook page.
Attendance Policy
Most courses have a maximum number of class sessions allowed to be missed. If you miss more than this, you could automatically fail the course. Check the syllabus for each of your courses to see details about the attendance policy, as it may be different for each course.
B.A.
Bachelor of Arts. Most humanities and some sciences fall under this category, depending on the curriculum.
B.S.
Bachelor of Science. Most hard sciences, such as physics, biology, and geology fall under this category, depending on curriculum.
B.F.A.
Bachelor of Fine Arts.The Fine Arts consist of creative and/or visual arts in areas such as music, theater, painting, sculpting, drawing, etc.
Bachelor’s Degree
A degree typically achieved with the equivalent of four years of full-time study.
Balentine Hall
Housing for first year and honors students located on the South end of campus. Balentine Hall is partnered with Penobscot Hall and Colvin Hall
to create the BCeP complex.
Click here for more information about housing at UMaine.
Click here for the Honors Housing Facebook page.
Bananas
The black bear has been the mascot of the University of Maine since 1914.
Click here for more information about Bananas.
BAT Bus
Bangor Area Transportation. This public bus picks up in the traffic circle outside of the Memorial Union and stops in places such as Old Town, Veazie, the Bangor Mall, and Downtown Bangor. Students ride free with their MaineCard!
Click here for more information about the BAT Bus.
Bear Bucks
University of Maine currency that is tied to your MaineCard. You can add money using cash or a credit/debit card at kiosks in places such as the Memorial Union, Wells Commons, and Hilltop Commons. You can also add funds using BlackBoard. Bear Bucks can be used for things such as printing, copying, and making purchases at various campus venues.
Do not confuse Bear Bucks with Dining Funds, as Dining Funds can ONLY be used at Black Bear Dining locations (Markets, Commons, Oakes Room, Bear’s Den, etc.). When you are adding funds to your card make sure you add them to the correct account.
Click here for more information about Bear Bucks.
BlackBoard
A web-based tool that provides a means of communication between class members and faculty. This tool provides discussion boards, on-line examinations, assignments, and other information. You can also use BlackBoard to add Bear Bucks or Dining Funds to your MaineCard. The username and password for BlackBoard is the same as your “@maine.edu” username and password (without the “@maine.edu”).
Click here for access to BlackBoard.
Bodwell Center for Service and Volunteerism
The Bodwell Center for Service and Volunteerism coordinates and promotes community service projects including the First Year Day of Service, which occurs during the first weekend of the school year, and Maine Day, which occurs on the last Wednesday of April. The Bodwell Center is located on the upper floor of the Memorial Union.
Click here for more information about the Bodwell Center.
Bookstore
A one-stop-shop for all your academic needs. The UMaine Bookstore is located on the lower floor of the Memorial Union and sells textbooks, school supplies, clothing and novelty items with UMaine logos, toiletries, and more. The Campus Connection is located inside the UMaine Bookstore.
Click here for more information about the UMaine Bookstore.
Break
A period of time during which classes are not in session. Short breaks include October Break and Thanksgiving Break where residence halls remain open, but dining services are limited. Longer breaks include Winter Break and Spring Break, where residence halls (except Knox Hall, York Hall, and DTAV/Patch) are closed and all dining Commons are closed. The Marketplace is open with limited hours and services.
Click here for the 2012-2013 Academic Calendar.
Bursar’s Office
The Bursar’s Office is where you go to pay your bill or make inquiries about your bill, and is located on the first floor of Alumni Hall, which is on the Mall.
Click here for more information about the Bursar’s Office.
Career Center
The Career Center’s mission is to empower UMaine students to identify and reach their goals. This mission is a collaborative effort between our staff, students, faculty, employers, and alumni. The Career Center manages CareerLink, career counseling, helps with finding internships, resume workshops, interview help, and offers personality inventories such as Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
Click here for CareerLink.
Click here for more information about the Career Center.
CC- Community Coordinator
Community Coordinators are full-time professional staff members who live in the residence halls and manage one residential complex of up to three residence halls, including the supervision of the RA staff. Many CCs also have ACCs.
Click here to find out how who the CC of your complex is and how to contact him or her.
Chair/Department Chair
The chair is the leader of an academic department and usually reports to the Dean of their particular college. Some academic requests require permission from the department chair. For example, if you wish to change your major or minor you will need the signature of the department chair.
To find out who the chair is for a particular department, you will have to use the A-Z Directory to find the department and look through the “Staff” page or contact the department’s administrator. The phone number for a department is always located at the very bottom of the page in the blue bar.
Class Registration
This is the process of selecting classes in November and March for the following semester. This is done through MaineStreet and requires an enrollment PIN that you can only get through your academic advisor.
Class registration can be a confusing and stressful time. Please stop by the First Year Center if you need help.
Clicker
An interactive tool used in some classes to mark attendance and participate in surveys.
College/School
An academic sub-section of the university. The University of Maine has 7 colleges: College of Education and Human Development, College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture, Honors College, College of Business, and the Graduate School.
Click here for information about each of the colleges at UMaine.
Colvin Hall
Housing for honors students located on the South end of campus. Colvin Hall is partnered with Balentine Hall and Penobscot Hall to create the BCeP Complex.
Click here for more information about housing at UMaine.
Click here for the Honors Housing Facebook page.
Commons
A public area on campus that usually refers to the Hilltop, Wells, and York
dining locations.
Community Standards, Rights & Responsibilities
An office within the Division of Student Affairs that promotes personal responsibility through educational outreach to the University community and the enforcement of the Student Conduct Code through educational interventions.
Complex
A group of 2-3 residence halls managed by one CC and up to two ACCs.
Complex Office
The central office for each complex where the CC and up to two ACCs work.
Concentration
The focus of a student’s academic program or advanced study in a specific subject or field.
Courtesy Hours
Courtesy hours are in effect 24-hours a day. Our Courtesy hours policy is such that all members of the residence hall community are expected to refrain from noise which is a disturbance to another member of the community at all times of the day. If asked by any community member to lower his or her noise level, a student should respond in a respectful manner by lowering his or her noise level immediately, regardless of the time of day or day of week.
Credit
A unit that gives weighting to the value, level or time requirements of an academic course. A typical undergraduate course is worth 3 credits. Lab-based course are typically worth 4 credits.
Credit Hour
A 3-credit class meets for roughly 3 hours per week. A 4-credit class meets for 4 hours per week.
Cubby
The Cubby is the on-campus student mailing services. All packages that are too big to fit into residence hall mailboxes are sent to the Cubby, which is located in the Memorial Union. Other services include outgoing USPS mail and stamp sales.
Click here for more information about the Cubby.
Cumberland Hall
Housing for first year students, located in the Stewart Quad next to Gannett Hall and Androscoggin Hall. Cumberland Hall is coupled with Gannett Hall
to form the Gannett Cumberland Complex (or GC2).
Click here for more information about Cumberland Hall.
Cumberland Hall Facebook page.
Curriculum
The subjects and classes comprising a particular field of study.
Cutler Health Center
Cutler Health Center is our on-campus medical facility. Run by Eastern Maine Medical Center, Cutler offers non-emergency services such as immunizations, labs, physical exams, and women’s exams.
Regular walk-in hours are Monday-Friday 10am-3pm.
Summer walk-in hours are Monday-Thursday 11am-3pm and Friday 10am-1pm.
Click here for more information about the Cutler Health Center.
Dean
The head of an academic college, such as the College of Education and Human Development. The Division of Student Affairs, which oversees all non-academic student support services, also has a Dean.
College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Dean
Natural Sciences Forestry & Agriculture Dean
College of Education & Human Development Dean
Dining Funds
A declining balance of funds that come with some meal plans. Dining funds can be used at any Black Bear Dining facility, such as the Marketplace, the Oakes Room in Fogler Library, the Bear’s Den, and any of the mini-markets inside the York, Hilltop, and Wells dining commons. By using Dining Funds instead of cash or a credit card, you can save up to 12% off of food and drink items.
To add dining dollars to your MaineCard, you can visit one of the MaineCard kiosks located in Hilltop Commons, Wells Commons, or the main floor of the Memorial Union using cash or a credit/debit card. You can also add funds on the MaineCard tab of BlackBoard once you have logged into your account. Make sure you understand the difference between Dining Funds and Bear Bucks.
Disability Support Services
The primary goal of the University of Maine Disability Support Services (DSS) is to create educational access for students with disabilities at UMaine by providing a point of coordination, information, and education.
Click here for more information about Disability Support Services.
Doris Twitchell Allen Village & Patch Residence Halls (DTAV/Patch)
DTAV and Patch are buildings with on-campus apartments for upperclass students. Students must have acquired 40 credits by the December prior to occupying the apartments.
Click here for more information about DTAV and Patch.
Drop a Class
Classes can be dropped with a refund up until the 10th day of classes each semester. Before dropping a class, make sure you do not drop below 12 credits for Financial Aid purposes, or 9 credits for the purpose of keeping on-campus housing.
You can drop a class using MaineStreet.
Elective
A class of a student’s choice that does not count toward his or her major, minor, or general education requirements.
Emergency Alert System
The system used at UMaine to send out informational messages about emergencies on or near campus.
FirstClass: A message will pop up on FirstClass when there is an emergency on or near campus. There is no need to sign up for this, as it is automatic.
UMaine Text Alert: An automated message sent out via text message. Message and data rates may apply. Click here to sign up for this service. *A test alert message is sent out the 15th day of each month.
Siren: The siren is tested for about 5 seconds every Monday at Noon. If you hear this siren at any other time or for longer than 5 seconds, please check your FirstClass or your cell phone if you have signed up for the text alerts for more information.
Click here to sign up for emergency text alerts.
Enrollment Period
The time period in which students are able to enroll in classes. To find your enrollment period, log into the Student Center on MaineStreet. Your Enrollment period should be listed just below your To-Do list on the right side of the interface.
Explorations
Students who are unsure of which major they would like to pursue when they start at the University of Maine can elect to be part of this introductory program. In this program each student takes a weekly seminar where they learn about campus resources, learning strategies, time management, and personal responsibility.
Click here for more information about the Explorations program.
Click here for the UMaine Explorations, Foundations, and Academic Recovery
Facebook page.
Faculty Member
An umbrella term used to refer to a professor or class Instructor.
Finals Week
The last week of each semester, when most final exams are held. The day, time, and location for finals may be different from your regular schedule. To see your final exam schedule, go to your Student Center in MaineStreet and select the “other academic…” drop-down box. Then click “Exam Schedule”.
Financial Aid
Any form of funds given to a student for educational purposes is called financial aid. Financial aid can come in the form of loans (federal or private), scholarships, grants, and Federal Work Study.
Financial Aid Office
The office that serves as the contact point for all student financial aid. The Financial Aid Office is located in Wingate Hall.
Click here for more information on the Financial Aid Office.
FYC- First Year Center
The First Year Center is located on the ground floor of Androscoggin Hall and is a go-to place for first-year students in need. We provide assistance with many things, such as class registration, changing majors or minors, and connecting students with campus resources. The FYC also hosts the Rumble on the Hill
and other large-scale events throughout the academic year.
FYE- First Year Experience
The First Year Experience is the overarching program that works to connect first-year students to the University of Maine campus and to their peers, while also helping first-year students to be academically successful. The FYE program is based out of the First Year Center.
First Year Residence Requirement
The University of Maine believes that residence hall living is an educational opportunity that all new students should experience. On-campus residence is required for all admitted first-year students who are: aged 20 or younger; do not live with a parent or legal guardian within easy commuting distance (35 miles); are not student veterans; and do not have exceptional circumstances that prevent them from meeting this requirement. All resident students have an academic-year Room & Board license.
FirstClass
UMaine’s communications system which provides all students with the ability to communicate and share information via email, conferencing, directories, individual and shared calendars and online chats. Many online classes are taught through FirstClass. This account is different from your “@maine.edu” email address, and thus requires a different login and password.
If you have not yet set up your FirstClass account, click here to do so.
If you are having issues with FirstClass, click here for assistance.
Fogler Library
Maine’s largest Library, Fogler is located on the Mall, next to the Memorial Union. Printing and copying services are available here with your MaineCard. The first floor is home to the computer lab, the Oakes Room, and the reading resource room, which is great for group work. The second floor is home to the Presidents Room and is great for quiet study. The third floor has more strict noise policies and is only good for students who need to study in complete silence.
Fogler Library hours are Monday-Thursday 7:30am-Midnight, Friday 7:30am-10:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm, and Sunday 10:00am-Midnight. Summer and break hours may be different.
Click here for more information about Fogler Library.
Foundations
The Foundations program provides students who do not meet the academic standards for their chosen major an opportunity to begin taking classes at the University of Maine on an academic contract with a restricted class schedule. Students cannot apply to this program but are referred by admissions staff.
Click here for more information on the Foundations program.
Click here for the UMaine Foundations, Explorations, and Academic Recovery
Facebook page.
Gannett Hall
Housing for first year students, located in the Stewart Quad next to Cutler Health Center. Gannett is coupled with Cumberland Hall to form the Gannett Cumberland Complex (or GC2).
Click here for more information about Gannett Hall.
Gannett Hall Facebook page
General Education Requirement (Gen. Ed./GER)
Courses required by the University that all students must take regardless of major.
To see which GenEd requirements you still need to fulfill, go to your Student Center in MaineStreet and click on “View Degree Progress Report”.
Click here for a GenEd Requirement worksheet.
GPA- Grade Point Average
A number-based grading system, typically used in colleges and universities. A semester GPA is composed of all grades from a particular semester. A cumulative GPA is the combined average of all semester GPAs.
Grant
A form of Financial Aid . Unlike loans, educational grants do not need to be repaid.
Guest Policy
The University of Maine Guest Policy is as follows:
“Students should feel as if they can welcome a guest to their room for a visit. Prior to any guest visiting a resident’s room, the resident should discuss the time frame of the visit and expectations of such a guest with their roommate(s). Out of fairness, no student may refuse to allow their roommate to have guests and then expect to have guests over themselves. No guest can remain in the student room for longer than 2 consecutive nights in any given week. A guest may also not be here here for two nights every week. Guests should be escorted through the halls by their hosting resident and are expected to follow all university/residence hall policies. All guests are required to use the appropriate restrooms, based on their sex, while in the residence halls. Hosting residents are responsible for their guest’s behavior, particularly when their guest is a non-student of the University of Maine. Students are responsible for anyone whom they let into the hall. Residents should not let unknown persons into the halls. Anyone not assigned by Housing to a particular residence hall room is considered to be a guest in that room. Entrance into residential rooms is permitted only at the invitation of the occupants of the room. Any guest (including family members) will need to be provided access by the occupying resident. ”
Housing for upperclass students. Hancock Hall is located near Wells and is part of the H2O Complex.
Click here for more information about Hancock Hall.
Hart Hall
Housing for upperclass students. Hart Hall is located right on the Mall, next to Wells. Hart Hall is part of the H2O Complex.
Click here for more information about Hart Hall.
Health & Safety Inspections
Inspections to ensure that all residential rooms on campus are within policy and fire regulation. These are performed at least four times per year, and are typically scheduled right before or during breaks
.
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Hilltop Commons
A dining hall located on the upper floor of the Hilltop building. Hilltop is located adjacent to Knox Hall, Oxford Hall, and Somerset Hall.
Hold
Holds are applied to accounts for various reasons and prevent students from registering for classes, official transcripts, or even graduating. Holds can be placed on an account due to an overdue bill, missing immunization records, or suspension or dismissal from UMaine.
To have a hold removed, students should contact:
Housing Contract/Room and Board License
A housing contract is an academic year-long agreement between a student and the University of Maine. This contract needs to be signed to be eligible for on-campus housing. Canceling a housing contract after moving into a residence hall, but before the end of the academic year, can result in large penalty fees. Due to the First Year Residence Requirement, first year students are not allowed to break this contract to move off-campus.
Click here to view the 2012-2013 Room and Board License.
Immunizations
Proof of some types of vaccinations (shots) are required for enrollment at UMaine. Immunization records must be mailed or faxed to:
Immunization Records Shared Processing Center, PO Box 412, Bangor, ME 04402-0412.
Fax: (207)561- 3430
Click here for more information about immunization records.
Instructor
A college-level teacher who is not a professor.
Kennebec Hall
Housing for upperclass students located on the South end of campus. Kennebec is combined with York Hall and Aroostook Hall to make up the YAK Complex.
Click here for more information about Kennebec Hall.
Kennebec Hall Facebook page.
Knox Hall
Housing for first year students. Knox is located in the Hilltop Quad and is partnered with Androscoggin Hall to create the Knox-Androscoggin Complex.
Click here for more information about Androscoggin and Knox.
Knox Hall Facebook page.
Lab
Most labs are worth one credit and include practical application of information learned in a lecture, usually in a science or math setting. Lab classes usually meet once per week in smaller groups than lectures
.
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Leave of Absence
Undergraduate students in good academic standing and who have no financial indebtedness to the University may request a leave of absence from the University for up to two semesters. Students returning from leave normally are required to return to the college in which they were enrolled when the leave began. Students must obtain approval for a leave of absence the semester prior to the desired leave. Students desiring a leave of absence should contact the Dean of their college.
Lecture
A class where the professor or instructor teaches and the students take notes. Unlike a seminar
class, lecture classes have little class or group discussion.
Loan
One piece of Financial Aid, loans are money that can be borrowed from a bank or lender and need to be repaid.
Subsidized Loan
Loans that accrue little-to-no interest while the student is enrolled full-time in school.
Unsubsidized Loan
Loans that do accrue interest even while the student is enrolled full-time in school.
Maine Bound
The Maine Bound Adventure Center is a converted barn next to the Memorial Union that features a 32′ climbing tower, 45′ long x 12′ high bouldering wall, classroom space, and an outdoor recreation area for volleyball, barbeques, and picnics. It is the primary outdoor program on campus offering adventure trips, gear rentals, indoor rock climbing, and a full low and high ropes challenge course.
Click here for more information about Maine Bound.
MaineCard
This is your student ID. You need to have your MaineCard to do laundry, borrow library books, use printing and photocopying services, enter your residence hall and room, and make purchases with Dining Funds
or Bear Bucks.
MaineStreet
Online software that allows students and staff to access and manage their academic and financial records, all in one easy-to-use site. In MaineStreet, you can add and drop courses, view account balances, check your course schedule, make an account payment, browse your student records, and enter work hours for your on-campus job. The username and for MaineStreet is the same as your “@maine.edu” username and password (without the “@maine.edu”).
Click here to access MaineStreet.
If you are having trouble logging in or using MaineStreet, click here for assistance.
Major
A specific area of study. Students take most of their courses within their major during their college career that leads to a degree. Students must declare a major before the end of their fourth semester.
Click here for a full list of majors at UMaine.
Mall
The large grassy area in front of the Fogler Library. Many events such as the Annual President’s Dinner are hosted here.
May Term
Short, intensive courses taught during the last three weeks of May, after the official academic year ends.
Medical Single
Medical singles are single rooms in residence halls that are reserved only for residents with extreme medical conditions that require them to live without a roommate. All requests for medical singles must go through Disability Support Services.
Medical Withdrawal
A student with an illness or medical condition that significantly interferes with his or her ability to attend classes may be eligible for a medical withdrawal.
Memorial Union
The central hub for campus. Here you can find the Division of Student Affairs, the Marketplace, Bear’s Den, the Bookstore, the Cubby, and more. The Memorial Union is located adjacent to the Fogler Library and is where the BAT Bus pickup is.
Minor
An area of study that usually only requires 15-21 credits. Minors can be pursued in most academic areas and usually complement the major, but not always.
Morse Field
10,000-seat multi-purpose stadium. Home to the University of Maine Black Bears football team.
Click here for the Athletics web site.
Housing for upperclass students. Oak Hall is located next to Wells and is part of the H2O Complex.
Click here for more information about Oak Hall.
Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA)
A space where people of all races, ethnicities, and colors can feel welcomed and appreciated. Through a sense of community, OMSA encourages and educates others about the significance and contributions of everyone, regardless of heritage. OMSA can be found on the third floor of the Memorial Union.
Click here for the OMSA Facebook page.
Click here for more information about OMSA.
Online Class
Some courses are taught entirely online, through web tools such as BlackBoard or FirstClass. Online classes are good for students who live a long distance from campus and cannot easily commute every day.
Because of the nature of online classes, it is not recommended that first year students take any their first semester.
Click here for more information about online classes.
Oxford Hall
Housing for first year students, located in the Hilltop Quad at the corner of Rangeley Road and Long Road. Oxford Hall is coupled with Somerset Hall to create the SOX Complex.
Click here for more information about Oxford Hall.
Oxford Hall Facebook page.
Penobscot Hall
Housing for first year and honors students located on the South end of campus. Penobscot Hall is partnered with Balentine Hall and Colvin Hall to create the BCeP Complex.
Click here for more information about housing at UMaine.
Click here for the Honors Housing Facebook page.
PIN
Personal Identification Number. An Enrollment PIN is required to register for classes using MaineStreet. You can only obtain your PIN from your academic advisor, and without it, you cannot register for classes.
Professor
A teacher of the highest academic rank at a college or university who has been awarded the title Professor in a particular branch of learning. Professors typically have to complete the highest degree in their field- usually a doctorate (PhD).
Quad
The outside space between a group of residence halls is referred to as a quad. Quad space is available for residential programs, recreation, and leisure.
Quiet Hours
Typically, Quiet Hours are as follows: Sunday-Thursday 10:00pm-7:00am the following morning, Friday and Saturday nights 12:00 Midnight-7:00am the following morning. During quiet hours, noise level is restricted to an acceptable atmosphere for study and sleep. During quiet hours, noise should not be heard outside of a student’s door or in adjacent rooms where others may be disturbed. Stereos, video games, and televisions should be at a lower volume so not to be heard outside of the student room or from open windows.
Courtesy Hours are in effect at all times, regardless of time or day.
Quiet hours may be different during the few weeks before Finals Week.
Rainbow Resource Center (RRC)
This drop-in resource center for LGBT students and allies features a lending library of books and films available to the campus community. Those interested in learning more about LGBT issues can utilize the Rainbow Resource Center. You can find the RRC on the main floor of the Memorial Union near the Information Center.
Click here for more information on the RRC and LGBT Services.
Rec Center
The New Balance Student Recreation Center is located on Hilltop Road and is home to a recreational pool and hot tub, an indoor track, a large open basketball floor, an indoor arena, racquetball courts, weights and cardio exercise equipment, and rooms for group fitness classes.
Click here for more information about the Rec Center, including hours.
Recitation
Recitations supplement lectures; the leader will often review the lecture, expand upon the concepts covered, and carry on a discussion with the students. Teacher’s Assistants typically teach recitations.
RA- Resident Assistant
RAs are upperclass student leaders who live on floors with other students. Their primary purposes are to build a community within a particular floor and residence hall, ensure the health and safety of the students in their community, and connect students to campus resources as needed.
Click here to find out how you can be an RA.
Room & Board
This refers to the cost for a residence hall room and a meal plan through Black Bear Dining. With the exception of those who live in DTAV/Patch with full kitchens, all students are required to have on campus meal plans.
Rumble on the Hill
A competition between all FYE residence halls in the form of a series of large-scale events over the course of the first six weeks of fall semester. Students can earn points for their residence hall by attending and participating in events. Past events have included Club Quad, Roommate Roulette, Pizapalooza, and Trivia Night.
Click here for more information about the Rumble on the Hill.
Scholarship
Financial Aid given to students. Scholarships can be merit-based (for students who demonstrate academic excellence) or need-based (for students who demonstrate sufficient financial need).
Second Year Experience (SYE)
Second Year Experience is the overarching program that works to support second-year students as they continue to develop their academics and career interests.
Click here more information about SYE.
Semester
Half of an academic year, usually about 15 weeks of classes. Fall semester usually goes from September-December and Spring semester goes from January -May. Most classes last one semester.
Seminar
A seminar is a type of class that is usually much smaller than a lecture and can include group discussions and projects.
Snow Day
A day when classes, activities, and events are canceled due to inclement weather. If you are signed up for the UMaine Emergency Alert, you will receive a text message to let you know when it is a snow day.
Somerset Hall
Housing for first year students, located in the Hilltop Quad at the corner of Rangeley Road and Long Road. Somerset Hall is coupled with Oxford Hall to create the SOX Complex.
Click here for more information about Somerset Hall.
Somerset Hall Facebook page
Student Affairs
A large division within the university that deals with all non-academic student support services.
Click here for more information about the Division of Student Affairs.
Click here for the Division of Student Affairs Facebook page.
Student Code of Conduct
It is the purpose of the University of Maine System Student Code of Conduct to promote the pursuit of activities that contribute to the intellectual, ethical, and physical development of the individuals under the auspices of the University of Maine System and the individual campuses. It is also the purpose of this code to ensure the safety of persons engaging in those pursuits; to protect the free and peaceful expression of ideas; and to assure the integrity of various academic processes.
In short, it is a contract all students must abide by for the entire duration of their time at UMaine.
Student Wellness Resource Center (SWRC)
The SWRC offers students opportunities to look at personal behaviors and options to choose healthy lifestyles, grounded in moderation and the acceptance of personal responsibility for action. The SWRC sponsors many events such as the Healthy High 5k/10k race, wellness fairs, and more. You can find the SWRC on the main floor of the Memorial Union.
Click here for more information about the SWRC.
Summer Classes
Courses taken during the summer.
Syllabus
An outline and summary of topics to be covered in a course. faculty members, are required to give students a course syllabus in the beginning of the semester. Information that can typically be found on a syllabus includes a tentative schedule for the semester, books and other materials that are required for the course, the faculty member’s contact information and office hours, the Attendance Policy, and how coursework will be graded. This is an implied contract between yourself and the faculty member teaching the class, so be sure to read this for every class you have!
Tempest
The name of the Internet server the University of Maine system uses. You will need to log in using your MaineStreet ID and password. Any guests need to use the “UMS-Guest” server.
Transcript
A document that shows a student’s degree progress, including all grades for all courses taken as well as the cumulative GPA and GPA for each semester. You can view an unofficial transcript on MaineStreet or request an official transcript from the Office of Student Records.
Tuition
The cost for your courses. Do not get tuition confused with room & board.
Tutoring
Tutors are available to help students in need of academic assistance in certain subjects. Some do not cost money, while others do.
Click here for more information about tutoring.
UMPD- University of Maine Police Department
Full-service on-campus police department staffed by state-certified police officers and support personnel 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
The telephone number for UMPD is 207-581-4040. Program it into your cell phone right now! Calling 911 from your cell phone will cause delays in emergency response if you are on UMaine property.
Click here for more information about UMPD.
Click here for the UMPD Facebook page.
UVAC- University Volunteer Ambulance Corps
UMaine’s on-campus emergency service. To reach UVAC, call UMPD at 207-581-4040. Do not call 911 from your cell phone while on campus, as it will go to an off-campus dispatcher and delay the emergency response.
Waitlist
When a class you want to register for is full, you can sometimes be put on an automatic waitlist. Each time a seat in the class opens, the next person from the waitlist will be automatically added to the class.
Wishlist
Once classes for the following semester are posted on MaineStreet, students can create a tentative schedule for themselves.
Creating a wishlist does not automatically enroll you in courses. You must return to your wishlist, select the courses, and add them manually once you have reached your Enrollment Period.
Wells Commons
The dining facility located in Wells, which is between Hart Hall, Oak Hall, Dunn Hall, and Corbett Hall.
Withdraw/Withdrawal
During the first third of the semester, a student may drop
courses without academic penalty. All such dropped courses are deleted from the student’s academic record.
During the second third of the semester, a student may withdraw from a course if the student’s academic advisor and Dean approve. Courses dropped will show on the student’s academic record, with a grade of “W”. The grade will not be computed into the semester average.
During the final third of the semester, any courses dropped will normally carry a grade of “WF”, unless extenuating circumstances prevail. This grade will show on the student’s academic record and will be computed into the semester average as a failing grade.
If you withdraw from the university, you will need to contact your Dean’s office to let them know your intentions. After you speak with your Dean’s office, please contact the Financial Aid Office for specific information on how your withdrawal will affect your Financial Aid.
Work Study
Work study is a type of Financial Aid. Students with work study can seek on-campus job opportunities and be paid from their work study funds. Visit the Career Center website to find work study opportunities.
York Hall
Housing for upperclass students, located on the South end of campus. York Hall is combined with Kennebec Hall and Aroostook Hall to create the YAK Complex.
Click here for more information about York Hall.
York Hall Facebook page.
York Commons
A dining facility located in York Hall.