UMaine Nepalese Community Holds Vigil, Works to Raise Funds, BDN Reports

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a University of Maine graduate student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono. The student reports that they are at a local hospital with minor injuries.

Emergency services, including the Orono Fire Department, University Volunteer Ambulance Corps, University of Maine Police Department, Orono Police Department and Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

The university vehicle involved in the incident was a Chevrolet Express van. It was being operated by a university employee.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 and the Dean of Students Office can be reached at 207-581-1406.

The scene has been cleared and Long Road is now accessible. An investigation is being conducted by the University of Maine Police Department with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office Crash Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lt. Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

May 1, 2015 Outreach, Student Life, UMaine in the News

The Bangor Daily News reported members of the University of Maine Nepalese community are working to generate awareness and raise money to help victims of the recent earthquake. Riju Shrestha, a senior biochemistry major from Kathmandu, said the group is raising money to send to Grande International Hospital, which is currently providing free medical service to earthquake victims. UMaine student Sujita Pandey’s father works at that hospital so the students have a reliable contact, according to the article. “The [Nepalese] government is trying, but because the destruction is so huge, it’s difficult to reach people,” Shrestha said. “There’s millions out there without food, water. The numbers of people injured goes up daily. We need short-term and long-term help.” A candlelight vigil was held April 30 on the steps of Fogler Library. On Friday, May 1, the group will be accepting donations from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. in the Memorial Union, and again during a coffee hour organized by the International Student Association at 4 p.m. in the Union. From 10 p.m.–1 a.m. Saturday, May 2, there will be a fundraiser at the Bear Brew in Orono.