Statements of History, Philosophy, Mission, and Purpose
The Statements of History, Mission, Purpose and Philosophy of the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) express a dedication to the students who attend the University, to its regional and statewide communities, and to the state's public policy for higher education. These statements acknowledge the richness of UMA's students' interests, backgrounds, and skills; their commitment to personal and professional development; the unique challenges they face, often as the first generation in their families to attend college; and their responsibilities as members of families, workplaces, and communities.
Statement of History
The 102nd Maine Legislature in 1965 established the University of Maine at Augusta as a community-based institution offering associate degrees under the auspices of the University of Maine at Orono. In 1971, soon after moving to its present location in Augusta, UMA became an autonomous institution, the seventh campus of the University of Maine System. UMA, in that same year, assumed responsibility for providing degree programs and services in the Lewiston-Auburn area.
In 1975, UMA offered its first baccalaureate degree program and began building an integrated faculty community, with appropriate terminal degrees, to teach both baccalaureate and associate degree courses. During this time, UMA also developed a distinctive set of programs, services, and schedules tailored to the unique needs and strengths of its primarily non-traditional student body.
UMA was designated the "Community College of Maine" in 1986 with responsibility for leading the University of Maine System in the provision of associate degree programs and related services throughout the state. As part of this responsibility, UMA developed a statewide interactive television system as well as a network of over 100 off-campus centers and regional sites, and coordinated the delivery of university programs, courses, and services at these centers and sites. In 1994 this system, now called University College, became an independent administrative entity of the University of Maine System. UMA continues to collaborate with University College in the delivery and development of statewide programs.
In 1995, the University of Maine System Board of Trustees added University College of Bangor (UCB) to UMA. Founded in 1970 as the South Campus of the University of Maine (at Orono), it later became Bangor Community College, one of the colleges of the University of Maine (at Orono). In 1985, it was renamed University College. In 1995, the Board of Trustees affiliated the Bangor campus with Augusta and Lewiston-Auburn; at the same time the Board also reaffirmed UMA's role as a provider of selected baccalaureate programs in the Central Maine and Mid-Coast region.
Redirection of UMA's educational mission has occurred during the past decade. Prior to 1998 UMA offered only 3 baccalaureate programs; since then, however, it has added 14, for a total of 17 baccalaureate degrees. The following data demonstrate how the addition of these degrees has affected UMA enrollments and continues to shape its mission:
- At its 1996 commencement UMA awarded 239 associate and 59 baccalaureate degrees. Nine years later, in 2005, UMA awarded 337 associate degrees and 232 baccalaureate degrees, a 25% increase in baccalaureate degree graduates.
- Similarly, the ratio of credit hours between associate and baccalaureate students changed as well. In fall 2003 associate degree students accounted for 23,513 credit hours while baccalaureate degree students accounted for only 13,822. By contrast, in fall 2005 associate degree students accounted for 17,872 credit hours and baccalaureate students for 17,941, representing an increase in just two years from 37% to 51% of total credit hours generated by degree candidates enrolled in baccalaureate programs.
This increase in baccalaureate credit hours and degrees confirms UMA's current designation as a Carnegie Classification Associate/Baccalaureate institution.
Statement of Mission
The University of Maine at Augusta, a regional state university, provides baccalaureate and select associate degrees to meet the educational, economic and cultural needs of Central Maine. Based on a common liberal arts core for all degree programs, UMA delivers professional programs to non-traditional, traditional and place-bound students.
Statement of Purpose
To carry out its mission, UMA:
- Provides a broad range of undergraduate educational opportunities distinguished by excellence and accessibility.
- Offers baccalaureate and select associate degrees designed for career advancement, personal and professional growth, and preparation for graduate studies.
- Provides programs and seminars for career advancement, professional and personal development.
- Collaborates with other campuses of the University of Maine System and other constituencies such as private colleges, community colleges, libraries, businesses, industry, government and community organizations to attain mutual support of institutional and educational goals.
- Encourages faculty, staff and students to participate in public service that contributes to the growth and development of UMA's communities and constituents.
- Prepares students for current and future challenges and exposes them to knowledge, critical thinking skills, cultural enrichment, ethical, pluralistic and aesthetic awareness.
- Provides support services, designed for traditional and non-traditional place-bound students, to foster intellectual and personal growth, academic success, community participation and a commitment to lifelong learning.
- Provides faculty and staff with professional development activities that include scholarly research, scientific inquiry, literary and artistic expression consistent with their academic area of expertise.
- Provides an ongoing process of planning and assessment that focuses on institutional growth and development.
- Evaluates the emerging educational, economic and social needs of Central Maine citizens and offers new specialized programs to serve those needs.
These stated purposes provide a collegial and respectful environment in which faculty, staff and students share the ideals articulated above and benefit from these common purposes.
Statement of Philosophy
UMA develops and carries out its mission and purpose guided by a set of core beliefs:
- Intelligence, productivity, and excellence reside in individuals without regard to their background, economic, or social status. UMA provides access to higher education to a diverse population of students and provides the support services that ensure those students the best possible opportunity for success. The development and success of its
students are the primary endeavors of the University. - All members of the University should strive for the highest possible standards of quality. Review and assessment are necessary components of that striving.
- An educated person exhibits knowledge and wisdom; recognizes and respects the diversity of nature and society; demonstrates problem solving skills; engages in planning and managing practices; navigates the on-line world; writes and speaks well; acts with integrity; and appreciates the traditions of art, culture, and ideas. Developing these abilities is a life-long process.
- The institution will sustain an environment in which these beliefs are carried out with integrity and a true sense of purpose.