Updates for Faculty
Fall 2025
Faculty Senate Updates
University Catalog
The revised 2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog is available online. The Catalog Review for Student Success Task Force met in fall 2024 to review the Undergraduate Catalog, proposing numerous revisions from minor grammatical edits to significant content changes. The group focused on ensuring sections aligned with relevant APLs. The task force delegated reviews of some sections to other campus groups or external experts, such as Admissions. The task force recommended ongoing stewardship of the catalog and updating of academic policies. A summary of changes to each section can be found in Motion SM25008, approved by the Faculty Senate.
General Education
The main pillars of the General Education reform were approved by the Faculty Senate and the President. Implementation is underway. For more information see Motion SM25007.
Credit for Prior Learning
The Credit for Prior Learning Task Force reviewed and proposed changes to existing CPL policies and procedures. The list of recommendations that were approved can be found here: CPL Task Force Final Recommendations. Additionally, a new CPL website was launched this week that outlines the various CPL types and the CPL Policy in the catalog has been updated.
Student Success and Wellness Resources
Student Wellness Resource Center
Black Bear Cares Recognition and Response Strategies: Blue Folder
Counseling Center and SWell Training Menu
National Institute for Student Success (NISS)
UMaine has partnered with the National Institute for Student Success (NISS) to create the UMaine Student Success Playbook, an evidence-based roadmap designed to strengthen retention, graduation, and equity outcomes. The Playbook identifies four priority areas for our work: first-year academic pathways, advising reform, using data to address academic barriers, and coordinated student communications. On August 19, the NISS implementation team from Georgia State University visited campus to help us begin planning these initiatives. This collaboration is an important step in ensuring all UMaine students receive the timely, structured support they need to thrive. More information will be forthcoming. For an executive summary, please click here.
Navigate UMaine
Navigate UMaine is a platform for faculty and staff that serves as a comprehensive resource supporting advising, streamlining communication with students, simplifying scheduling of student and advisee meetings, and facilitating the identification of student concerns through Black Bear Early Alerts. These early alerts allow faculty and staff to raise concerns and connect students with the appropriate support, empowering them to succeed. For Fall 2025, early alert campaigns will be sent to courses associated with all first-year students at two critical checkpoints: a 2-week alert (September 9–16) focused on participation, attendance, and well-being, and a 6-week alert (October 7–14) with a focus on academic performance and engagement. We encourage faculty to respond promptly to these Navigate reports, as your feedback plays a vital role in helping students get back on track.
The Black Bear Early Alert Campaign has demonstrated measurable impact, contributing to a 3% increase in GPA for all first-year students and a 6% increase for first-year students with multiple barriers in Fall 2023 compared to Fall 2022. Notably, 75% of all outreach generated through early alerts goes to our most vulnerable students, ensuring that those with the greatest needs receive timely support. These results highlight the importance of timely faculty engagement with early alerts to connect students to resources that can help them succeed. Click here to view the full summary.
University of Maine System (UMS)
UMS developed a website to track federal actions pertaining to UMS institutions, including actions impacting faculty. Media inquiries regarding federal actions received by faculty and staff should be referred to Director of Community and Government Relations, Samantha (Sam) Warren.
Faculty Development Opportunities
Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Faculty Development Site
Faculty Discussion Series
Navigating the shifting landscape of higher education: The academy is a rapidly-evolving teaching, research, and work environment. Sponsored by the Office of the Provost, this discussion series aims to provide faculty and instructors with a space to discuss informally areas of concern, identify resources, work collaboratively toward solutions, and learn from topical experts. The next discussion is “Navigating Constructive Dialogue in the Classroom” on September 12, from 1-2PM. Please contact Dr. Judith E. Rosenbaum, Chair and Professor, Department of Communication and Journalism, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Administration, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, for more information.
Other Updates
Early College: High school students may be enrolled in your course (mostly applies to 100 levels) through UMaine’s Early College Program. EC students can be identified by the student group of NDEC- non-degree early college. All policies and expectations apply to these students. The EC team requests that faculty consult with them regarding student concerns/questions @UMaine Early College.
DLL: Important information from the Division of Lifelong Learning.
MBS: The Business School recently received approval to launch a new Low-Residency track in the MaineMBA program beginning in Fall 2026. Students in the Low-Residency cohorts will study in a hybrid format in which three of their MBA courses will have immersive in-person residencies at the Maine Center in Portland, where they will collaborate with peers, faculty and industry partners on problem-solving and consulting projects.
If you have any questions about the Low-Residency program or our graduate business programs, please contact Andrew King, Director of the MaineMBA, at andrew.king@maine.edu or 207-780-4486.
General Helpful Information
Technology in Classrooms. If the technology in the classroom is not working, please let IT know by emailing help@maine.edu.
Travel Study Reminder:Faculty interested in offering a travel course need to start planning 12-18 months in advance @ https://umaine.edu/travelstudy/faculty-resources/
Here is a link to the Provost’s guidance on syllabi.