Diversity and Inclusion
UMaine’s Commitment
The University of Maine is committed to creating and sustaining a welcoming environment for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. That environment, critical to the vigorous discovery/learning processes that define a university, also depends on diversity–diversity of ideas, cultures, experiences, and backgrounds. The challenge, for all of us, is to seek out diversity, which is the lifeblood of a healthy intellectual environment, and to recruit and retain people who are traditionally underrepresented on our campus. An inclusive environment is essential. Click here for details.
Inclusive Facilities at Campus Recreation and Maine Bound
- ADA accessible lockers
- ADA Accessible stalls in restrooms
- ADA accessible showers
- Single stall bathroom locations (To the right of the front desk past the conference room, as well as down the hallway to the left of the elevator)
- Gain entry into our pool with a waterproof wheelchair and inclined entry provided by Campus Recreation
Equitable Action Committee
- The Equitable Action committee is comprised of professional and student staff of Campus Recreation and Maine Bound Adventure Center was formed in June, 2020. Meeting monthly, the committee takes action steps towards creating inclusive spaces and programs through purposeful staff trainings, educational outreach, and departmental recommendations. Do you have suggestions for the Equitable Action Committee? Email beth.jackson@maine.edu
- Strategies and Initiatives of the Equitable Action Committee
- Strategies discussed by the Equitable action committee to date
- Group was formed consisting of professional staff and student staff from the New Balance Student Recreation Center and Maine Bound Adventure Center
- Purchase and display flags in the Rec Center and Maine bound that correspond to the dates in which the flags are raised on the mall. These flags include the Penobscot Nation Flag, the inclusive pride flag, and the Black Lives Matter flag
- Created a library of books and electronic resources for student employees to borrow on the topics of equity, diversity and inclusion
- Professional staff received the Racial Identity Training and Safe Zone Training offered by the Multicultural Center
- Student staff are in the process of receiving the Racial Identity Training and will also be offered the Safe Zone training as a paid opportunity
- Racial Identity training survey created and sent to all student employees
- Recreation and Sports Diversity and Inclusion Fund was created and received its first donations
- Created a new statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- A webpage dedicated to these efforts (this page)
The Recreation and Sports Diversity and Inclusion Fund
The Recreation and Sports Diversity and Inclusion Fund was established at the University of Maine, Orono, Maine in 2021 with gifts from alumni, friends, and members of the UMaine Campus Recreation community. The fund shall be used to provide support for students and/or children from the local community enrolled in UMaine Campus Recreation and Maine Bound programming whose socioeconomic background, prior academic or work experience, and/or educational interests would bring a unique perspective to the University of Maine community. Preference for this support shall also be given to individuals from groups that have been traditionally underrepresented at the University of Maine.
The university recognizes the donors’ strong and abiding commitment to increasing the racial and ethnic diversity of the students at the University of Maine and their view that increased and improved interaction across the social lines of gender, race, generation, geography and class is a key issue for the University. Accordingly, in choosing the recipients of this support, the following factors may be considered: demonstrated commitment to making a meaningful contribution to a pluralistic community and the continuation of a diverse student body; sensitivity to and understanding of racial and ethnic issues in society; commitment to learning to better communicate across the social lines of gender, race, generation, geography and class; ability to overcome educational, social or family disadvantages; academic merit and leadership potential. When funds are used to support UMaine students, the Director of Campus Recreation shall provide the Office of Student Financial Aid with the recipient(s)’s names, student support provided, and student expenses covered by the fund. Should it ever become impossible or impractical to carry out the purposes of this fund as described above, an alternative purpose that best fits the donors’ intent and wishes shall be designated by the President of the University of Maine in his/her sole discretion.
Selection of the recipients shall be made by the Campus Recreation Diversity and Inclusion Committee. The fund shall be administered by the Director of Campus Recreation in consultation with the Vice President for Student Life, Diversity and Inclusive Excellence & Dean of Students.