Promoting student success, growth, and satisfaction is a priority for the University of Maine at Augusta. To this end, UMA delivers a comprehensive array of support services and opportunities for personal and professional development. While some services are centralized on the main campus in Augusta, most information and services noted below are accessible to students through contacts at their local campus or center or via UMA’s virtual resources. Students with questions or comments pertaining to the quality of the student experience should communicate with the Director of the program specific to their experience. The Dean of Students is another resource available to students, and staff are also available at the UMA Centers.
Counseling Services
UMA recognizes the pressure that can make attending college difficult. UMA Counseling Services offers free, confidential support to all UMA students to navigate whatever they are facing, whether feeling overwhelmed, dealing with personal issues, or just need someone to talk to. Services include individual counseling, group counseling, crisis support, and referrals to community resources. We can meet in person (at the Augusta and Bangor Campuses) or online via telehealth.
Need support now? Our 24/7 Support Line is always available. You can also connect with a counselor during business hours in person or via telehealth.
Drop-in hours (telehealth and in person) are available Monday through Friday for students without an appointment-just call or email us ahead of time to let us know you’re coming.
Phone - (207)621-3344
Email - umacounseling@maine.edu
Website - www.uma.edu/counseling
Dean of Students Office
Located on the Augusta campus, this office oversees the campus climate, student engagement efforts and the overall student co-curricular experience. The Dean of Students Office also manages the functions listed immediately below.
- New Student Orientation
- Student Handbook
- Student Conduct
- Academic Integrity
- Student Complaint Resolution
Mediation: Differences in interpretation, values, and points of view are commonplace on a college campus. While these differences enrich the college experience, occasionally disagreements may call for mediation. In such a case this office can offer advice and assistance.
Student Handbook: This handbook details UMA services, resources, and important policies. It can be accessed online or a print version is available upon request.
Student Conduct: The Dean of Students staff oversees compliance with the University policies and procedures designed to encourage respectful student behavior and academic honesty and to create an environment supportive of the educational mission of the University. The full text of the University of Maine System Student Conduct Code and the UMA Student Academic Integrity Code are included in the Student Handbook.
New Student Orientation
Orientations are offered on-site at both of UMA’s campuses (Augusta and Bangor), and at most UMA Centers, and in an online format (ONSO) in Brightspace. All students new to UMA are invited to experience all orientation options; however, they are expected to complete the online orientation format prior to or during their first semester. In addition, specialized orientation programs for students in the architecture, dental, vet tech, or nursing programs are offered. Students should contact the College of Arts and Sciences for information on the architecture orientation and the College of Professional Studies for information on the dental, vet tech, and nursing orientation.
Student Life
The Office of Student Life provides opportunities for students to engage in experiences and opportunities outside the traditional classroom setting. These include social, recreational, educational activities, which focus on personal and leadership development, as well as establishing and strengthening connections between UMA students.
Community Service: Annually, the Student Life Department coordinates an Alternative Spring Break trip, which provides UMA students the opportunity to participate in service to local communities in need. Past trips/activities have included wetland restoration in New Orleans, LA, and working with Habitat for Humanity in Southern Appalachian Labor School, WV. In addition, the Student Life Department supports and collaborates with local partners on volunteer opportunities in the community (homeless/animal shelters, etc.).
Student Government: The Augusta and Bangor Student Government Association(s) (SGA) are the elected governing bodies of their respective campuses and are charged with representing the interests of their students. Additionally, the SGA is responsible for overseeing the expenditure of student funds and facilitating leadership and learning opportunities outside of the classroom through academic, social and cultural events. Registered students are encouraged to get involved with their SGA to shape co-curricular and service opportunities, as well as University policies and priorities through election to office, attendance at meetings, participation on committees, or through volunteer service.
Members from each SGA, as well as student representatives from the UMA Centers, meet collectively as a General Assembly (GA), which is the recognized governing body of all UMA students. It is the GA’s purpose to represent student interests and serve as the primary source of communication and policy formulation for all UMA students. Any UMA student is encouraged to attend and participate in GA meetings, or sit on the Parliamentary Committee which is responsible for drafting policies related to campus activities, amendments to SGA/GA Constitution and Bylaws, as well as the phrasing and timelines for student initiatives and referendums.
Student Clubs/Organizations: Student clubs and organizations provide leadership, skill and intellectual development, cultural enrichment, and service and social opportunities to UMA students. They provide opportunities for students to connect and engage with peers who have similar characteristics or common interests. Campus SGAs* formally recognize, and may provide financial support to, a variety of student clubs and organizations which include but are not limited to; French Club, Mental Health and Human Services Club, eSports Club, and the American Institute of Architecture Students. Students interested in forming a new club or organization (or revitalize an inactive one) should consult the Coordinator of Student Life on their campus regarding the appropriate process.
*the General Assembly formally recognizes multicampus organizations
Housing at Stevens Commons
UMA offers a variety of inclusive, safe, and supportive communities that contributes to students’ academic pursuits in suite-style and traditional hotel housing to full-time undergraduate students in Augusta and Bangor. Cleveland, Erskine, and Stevens Halls are renovated historic buildings located in Hallowell. Best Western double occupancy rooms in Augusta and Holiday Inn, Olin Road in Bangor.
*On-campus housing is not currently available at the Bangor campus or any of our statewide UMA Centers.
Athletics
UMA’s varsity athletics program offers students the opportunity to compete at both the regional and national levels as members of both the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC), and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). The YSCC includes 12 schools located throughout New England and into New York. The USCAA is composed of 80 schools in the United States and focuses on smaller institutions of higher learning providing all athletes and programs with the same national opportunities as larger institutions. The USCAA sponsors national championships, names All-Americans, recognizes scholar athletes, and promotes USCAA member schools.
UMA supports the following intercollegiate teams: Men’s and women’s cross country, co-ed esports, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s track and field, baseball, softball, and volleyball. All of these teams have the ability to compete in their respective USCAA national tournaments.
Fitness Centers: On the Bangor campus, the Fitness Center is equipped with a basketball court and a fitness area. The basketball court can be set up for pickleball, floorball, volleyball, indoor soccer, and fitness classes in addition to basketball. The fitness area is equipped with a Hammer Strength Half Rack, Smith Machine, Life Fitness Dual Cable Machine, Life Fitness Multi-Chest Machine, several ProMaxima selectorized strength machines, free weights, dumbbells, and kettlebells, various functional movement equipment, and a variety of cardio equipment (treadmills, ellipticals, spinning bike, recumbent bikes, rowing machine and stair master) from Life Fitness and SportsArt. Both campuses have locker rooms with day use lockers, showers, and restrooms. Use of the fitness centers on both campuses and participation in fitness programs are free to registered students, as well as faculty and staff.
Academic Success
The Division of Academic Success provides a variety of programs and resources designed to help students strengthen their learning skills, and deal with the inevitable challenges of academic life. The intent is to help students become more effective, self-confident and independent learners who can successfully achieve their college goals. Specific services include:
Academic Coaching: Success in college is closely tied to having and using effective learning and study skills. Individualized peer or professional success coaching helps students improve areas such as: organizational skills, time-management, motivation, balancing life/school/work, accountability, study skills, and more. Coaching focuses on the big picture of academic success, unlike content-specific tutoring. The coaching request form can be found on the Academic Success Coaching Website.
Accessibility Services: UMA complies with all laws and University policies which define the rights of individuals with disabilities. Professional staff work with students to determine reasonable accommodations that ensure equal access to courses, housing, and university programming. Students can begin the accommodations request process through the UMA portal (look for the Accomodate symbol:  or by contacting umasuccess@maine.edu). To ensure the timely availability of accommodations, students should request services before the start of each semester.
Tutoring: UMA offers free tutoring support for most developmental and introductory courses. Students can meet with a qualified peer or community tutors in-person or via Zoom. For more information and/or to request a tutor click here. Please contact umatutoring@maine.edu if you have any additional questions.
Writing Labs: Support for writing in any subject is also available in person or online. The UMA Writing Centers are geographically located on the Augusta and Bangor campuses. Reading and writing support is also available online through the Academic Success Division’s LEAP (Learning English for Academic Purposes) hub. Students can Zoom, chat, and email LEAP, as well as submit drafts for feedback within two business days. Writing Centers can be accessed using the following websites: Augusta Writing Center, Bangor Writing Center, and LEAP.
NetTutor: NetTutor is UMA’s free online tutoring service. You can access NetTutor via UMA’s Launchpad by clicking on the NetTutor tile or by clicking here. Please contact umatutoring@maine.edu if you have any questions.
Military and Veterans’ Services
The University of Maine at Augusta is committed to working side by side with veterans (including active duty military personnel, reservists, National Guardsmen and women) and their family members who seek to further their education. In addition to a Veterans’ Academic Center, UMA has developed a series of initiatives designed to make us even more veteran-friendly. Those initiatives include:
- In-state tuition for all out-of-state veterans world wide
- Maximum credit hours for military experience
- Dedicated space on both the Augusta and Bangor campuses
- VA Work Study positions available on the Augusta campus
- Exchange Library
- Veterans on-line orientation course
- Veteran-helpful withdrawal and readmission policy
To access your VA educational benefits you will need to provide a copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to the school. The VA will send your COE after you have applied for your educational benefits. If you are unable to locate a copy of your COE, you can print off a copy from your eBenefits page. Once you have your COE, submit it along with the required UMA request for certification form to the School Certifying Official’s (SCO) office. Students will not be certified at UMA without the request form being submitted each and every semester.
Title 38 United States Code Section 3679(e) School Statement of Compliance
Any individual who is entitled to educational assistance under chapter 31, Veteran Readiness and Employment, or chapter 33, Post-9/11 GI Bill® (GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.) benefits will be permitted to attend or participate in the course of education during the period beginning on the date on which the individual provides to the educational institution a certificate of eligibility for entitlement to educational assistance. A certificate of eligibility can also include a “Statement of Benefits” obtained from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ eBenefits website, or a VA form 28-1905 form for chapter 31 authorization purposes.
UMA will not impose any penalty, including the assessment of late fees, the denial of access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities, or the requirement that a covered individual borrow additional funds, on any covered individual because of the individual’s inability to meet his or her financial obligations to the institution due to the delayed disbursement funding from the VA under chapter 31 or 33.
This agreement will terminate on the date on which payment from the VA is made to the institution or 90 days after the date the institution certified tuition and fees following the receipt of the certificate of eligibility, whichever date is most beneficial to the covered individual.
For assistance with veteran benefits and certification, call the UMA School Certifying Official at (207) 621-3458. To contact UMA’s Director of Military & Veterans’ Services, call (207) 621-3215, or visit the web page, http://www.uma.edu/admission/veterans/.
TRIO Scholars Program
This is a federally-funded Student Support Services program for eligible students. TRIO’s goal is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants. The Program fosters a sense of community, provides opportunities for academic development, and empowers students to achieve their educational goals. Successful students are eligible to apply for grant aid. To be eligible for the TRIO Scholars Program a student must:
- be a United States citizen or permanent resident, and
- be enrolled in a UMA baccalaureate degree program, and
- require academic support, and
- meet ONE of the following, additional criteria:
- First Generation (neither parent has a baccalaureate degree), or
- be of low income (usually Pell grant eligible), or
- have a self-disclosed, documented disability which impacts the learning process.
While most student services are available to all UMA students, an enrolled TRIO student may receive amplified student services, amplified tutoring, and amplified success coaching. Math Brush-up programs to increase math skills, mentoring, peer coaching, tuition waivers for TRIO’s COL 123 and/or SSC 317 course, and more proactive support from the TRIO staff.
Peer Coaches: Peer coaches are trained undergraduates who are available to help TRIO students succeed at UMA through student-to-student activities.
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