Gov. Mills signs Sen. Tipping bill to allow student representation on the UMS Board of Trustees

AUGUSTA — Gov. Janet Mils has signed into law a bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Tipping, D-Orono. The bill, LD 1656, “An Act to Allow Student Representation within the Governance of the University of Maine System,” will allow students to elect student members to the University of Maine System Board of Trustees.

“Students pay the majority of the costs for the University of Maine System. I’m glad they’ll finally have elected representation in the governance of their universities,” said Sen. Tipping. “This bill was passed because of the hard work of a dedicated group of students from across Maine who advocated for and came to Augusta to testify in favor of elected representation. Now that the governor has signed this important bill, students in the University of Maine system will have a better chance to have their voice be heard and influence change on campus.”

LD 1656 will replace the current student member of the University of Maine System Board of Trustees, who is appointed by the governor, with two students from two different schools within the University of Maine System, elected by their student bodies. These students will serve as full voting members, with the same rights as appointed members but with two-year terms. One student will be a graduate student, and the other will be an undergraduate student.

The bill will go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die.