Dean Dana, Smith Talk with Press Herald About Beneficial Student Life Programs
Robert Dana, the University of Maine’s vice president for student life and dean of students, and Barbara Smith, who runs UMaine’s commuter and nontraditional student program, spoke with the Portland Press Herald about beneficial student services for an article about increased tuition on college campuses. Smith said although services such as the commuter lounge, costs the university money, it pays off in student satisfaction and retention. “I think students of whatever age need to really connect to an institution or they’re not going to stay,” she said. Dana also spoke about the veterans services program, which helps answer questions and provides a staffed veterans lounge on campus. He said there are about 7,000 commuter or nontraditional students, and about 400 veterans and dependents on campus. “It’s money well spent,” Dana said of the programs. “You can’t just not attend to that part of the population.” Connor Scott, a UMaine junior studying business administration and international security, was featured in a related Press Herald article about how three Maine students are dealing with debt.