Important update re: USDA funding for UMaine and UMaine Machias — March 13, 2025

Dear members of the UMaine and UMaine Machias communities:

Last night, University of Maine System Chancellor Malloy and I received word from U.S. Senator Susan Collins that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had agreed to end the temporary pause of its scheduled payments for research and extension awards to the University of Maine System.

The news is most welcome. Since Monday evening, when we first learned that the USDA was imposing the funding pause, the prospect of losing approximately $35 million in previously committed funds was an unexpected and unnecessary distraction throughout our university and its many stakeholders. The consequences were huge, as the System explained in this initial response.

During the 48 hours following Monday’s news, my leadership team and others on our campuses and at the System office had been fully engaged in assessing the impact of the lost funding on our employees and students; our academic, research and public service outreach mission; and the countless people throughout Maine who depend on those USDA-funded university programs and services.

To be clear, the USDA has not alleged that UMaine, UMaine Machias or the University of Maine System have violated Title VI, Title IX, or any other federal law.

I am extremely grateful to Senator Collins for her intervention and eager to learn more from the USDA about the next steps in closing its compliance review. As the Chancellor and I said in response to last night’s good news, we are anxious to put behind us the whiplash and worry of recent weeks related to this and other federal directives. Individually and collectively, our UMaine and UMaine Machias communities deserve the stability they need to teach, learn, discover, and serve.

Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Sincerely,

Joan Ferrini-Mundy
President
University of Maine and the University of Maine at Machias