FARMINGTON – During a formal welcome by faculty on Tuesday morning, the University of Maine at Farmington’s 518 new students enrolled this fall were encouraged to build accomplishment, experience and memories by getting involved and staying engaged as they seek their degrees during their tenure here.
In his speech to students at the annual academic convocation held at the Fitness and Recreation Center, James Melcher, professor of political science, urged civic and political participation in an age group shown statistically to be uninvolved. Low voter turnout and a general lack of willingness to join groups “that take action and do things,” he said, needs to be turned around.
“We need your input, your energy, your ideas,” Melcher told students. “Join a group and you’ll get to be with other people who aren’t just like you.” He noted community service clubs, granges and churches provide for and support the greater community and it is what Americans do best.
“The U.S. always counted on volunteerism,” Melcher said. “If people don’t step up then bad things will happen.” He noted Facebook “isolates us. We find people just like us on Facebook and don’t engage with people not like you.”
By not connecting with different kinds of people anymore, we lose our ability to empathize, he said. But that can be easily remedied by getting involved. “It takes commitment and results may not be instantaneous. Good things take time to build,” Melcher said.
He also encouraged students to “be critical; we want you to think critically, think for yourself.” And, when one criticizes something, be ready to offer an alternative solution, he added.
“I want you to be builders; come up with something,” Melcher said. “Do align with what you believe in with what you do. Get off the couch and get engaged.”
UMF president, Kathryn Foster reminded the new students, of which 430 are first year students and 88 are transfer students from two- and other four-year colleges, the importance of the general education classes required before the specialized classes of the major course of study can begin.
“Gen Ed is what will serve as the building blocks for a strong foundation,” she said of the first years of study towards earning their degrees. “Embrace Gen Ed at UMF.”
According to Jamie Marcus, UMF’s director of admission after the assembly, most, 81 percent, of the new students starting at UMF this fall are Mainers who hail from 15 of the state’s 16 counties. Out-of-state students, which total 19 percent, come from 11 other states and one student is from Africa.
Half of the transfer students come from a four-year college, with the greatest number from University of Maine at Orono. The other half are from the community college system, with most coming from Southern Maine Community College.
Of the new students, half participated in athletics, 43 percent were employed, 40 percent had volunteered, 31 percent participated in art, theater and/or music, and 8 percent were involved in school publications while attending high school.
About 30 fewer students enrolled this fall as new students than last fall. Marcus said that number accounts for fewer transfer students coming to UMF this fall. And, while the University Maine System reported the number of new out-of-state students had jumped this fall, the UMF campus number remained level with last year.
For college students looking for a place to volunteer, we would love your help at Western Maine Homeless Outreach’s homeless shelter in Farmington. Please call 207-779-7609 and leave a message. We’ll give you a call back to discuss volunteer opportunities. Thank you in advance!