Welcome back to Orono! It’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through the academic year. As campus begins to buzz with new energy after the winter break, we’re excited to see familiar faces and welcome new opportunities for connection, learning, and involvement.
This semester promises to be exciting, filled with significant events, opportunities to get involved, and important updates from your Student Government. From the highly anticipated return of the Maine Event Concert to upcoming executive elections and ongoing initiatives to support student organizations, there’s much to look forward to. Here’s what’s big this semester:

Here’s an update on what is going on currently with your Student Government and a peak into what is coming this Spring:

Executive Elections
Nomination papers for the next President and Vice President of UMSG open on the first day of the semester. Students can pick them up anytime during regular business hours at the Student Government offices in the Wade Center of the Memorial Union. To appear on the ballot, papers must be returned by February 7th. Voting will take place from March 3rd to March 7th, with in-person and online options for voting.

Activity Fee Raise Consideration
Your Student Government is actively discussing the possibility of increasing the Student Activity Fee (SAF) to ensure continued support for student organizations, events, and initiatives. This conversation stems from the increasing demand for funding across campus and the need to better align resources with student needs.
We encourage all students to stay informed and participate in this important decision. To learn more about the proposal, its potential impact, and the various options being considered, please review the Student Activity Fee Report. This discussion will be a priority during General Student Senate meetings, so we encourage you to attend or watch our live streams to stay engaged. Any proposed raise to the SAF will appear on the Executive Election ballot, allowing you to vote on this critical issue.

The Maine Event Concert
We are thrilled to announce the return of the Maine Event Concert this semester! This administration has worked hard to revive the tradition of hosting a spring concert, and we are excited to offer undergraduate students free tickets. Follow us on Instagram at @UMSGinc to stay tuned for the artist announcement. If you have any questions or want to get involved in the planning process, please contact Dillon Leeman, our Vice President of Student Entertainment, at Dillon.Leeman@maine.edu

Anticipating Annual Budget Season
As we move into the spring semester, it’s time to prepare for the Annual Budget Season! This is an important time for student organizations as they plan their funding needs for the upcoming academic year. Your Student Government will soon release announcements about the timeline and process for submitting budget requests, so stay tuned for updates.
If you have any questions about the budgeting process or need guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Vice President for Financial Affairs, Oliver Bois, at Oliver.Bois@maine.edu. We’re here to help ensure your organization has the resources it needs to succeed!

Stay Connected and Get Involved
Your Student Government supports you and ensures your voice is heard. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, ideas, or concerns. You can email our President, Keegan Tripp, at Keegan.Tripp@maine.edu or our Vice President, Memphis Peterson, at Memphis.Peterson@maine.edu. You can also stay up to date by following us on Instagram at @UMSGinc or stopping by our offices in the Wade Center during regular business hours.

We’re looking forward to a fantastic semester together and seeing what we can accomplish as a campus community!