UMaine classes will resume, online, next week

Courtesy / University of Maine System University of Maine System Chancellor Dannel Malloy had his contract renewed for one year after no-confidence votes in his leadership.

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By Staff

While the global pandemic has played havoc with schedules at many colleges and universities, the University of Maine System is getting back to class.

With the help of distance learning technologies, coursework will resume Wednesday, March 25, at the state’s seven public universities, according to a news release.

The start date represents a two-day extension of spring recess, originally scheduled for March 16-23 at the UMaine System. The extra time off is intended to help students and faculty prepare for the new, online instruction and to attend to personal needs in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The UMaine System currently does not plan to make further changes to the spring semester calendar, the release said. Decisions about the timing and logistics of commencement ceremonies are expected to be made by April 15.

In addition, UMS said it will adjust room and board charges for students who have vacated residence halls as part of its effort to limit campus residency.

Roughly 90% of the system’s 5,800 residential students will have moved out of their dormitories by the end of spring break, according to the release. UMS said it expects to issue rebates and make billing adjustments for unused room and board by March 31.

“The University of Maine System is not stopping operations,” said Chancellor Dannel Malloy. “We will meet our teaching, research and public service missions to the state of Maine which now include coordination with the Maine CDC and our health care systems to protect public health.

“Never in the history of the system have we seen a challenge such as that before us now. I am immensely proud of how we are rising to meet it together.”