VP of Student Affairs

The VP of Student Affairs Office oversees our Student Affairs offices and staff as they provide a wide variety of services, programs, and activities designed to help students make the most of their college experience both in and out of the classroom. Services provided include: Counseling Services, Dining Services, Disability Services, Housing and Residence Life, International Student Services, On-campus Activities and Events, Campus Engagement, Conference Services, Student Governance, Health Services, Student Organizations and Clubs, Title IX, Student Conduct, Tutoring services, CARE Team, and TRIO College Access Services (Upward Bound/Educational Talent Search).

Mission of the VP of Students Office

We enable all students to discover, pursue, and realize their personal and educational goals. Built into the foundation are four guiding CARE principles:

Community Building
Advocacy
Resource Accessibility
Engagement

UMPI CARE Team

The VP of Students office oversees the UMPI CARE Team, composed of faculty and staff from across campus serving in student-facing supportive roles. The CARE Team meets bi-weekly throughout the academic year

The goals of the UMPI CARE Team include, but are not limited to:

Proactively identify concerns pertaining to individual students related to academic performance, behavioral issues, and personal circumstances that may be impacting their ability to succeed.
Providing timely interventions that prevent any disruption to a student’s personal success, or to the success of other community members.
Coordinate efforts between various campus departments to serve students to the best of our ability.
Discuss campus trends and current events that may be impacting the lives of students and implementing strategies or educational opportunities to overcome barriers.

To refer a student to the UMPI CARE Team please contact the VP of Students office.

Food Insecurity Resources

UMPI Offers a variety of resources for students experiencing food insecurity issues. The UMPI campus hosts 5 food pantry locations available to our students:

Folsom-Pullen – Lower level near the main stairwell
Emerson Hall – TV Lounge/Kitchen
Park Hall – First Floor Lobby
Merriman Hall – First Floor Lounge/Kitchenette
Campus Center – Owl’s Nest (managed by Sodexo)

Through our partnership with Sodexo we also offer the Swipe Out Hunger program. This program provides meals to students that can be redeemed at Kelley Commons (our campus dining hall). This program is open to students during the fall and spring semesters when the dining hall is open for business. To request meals from the Swipe Out Hunger program please visit the site below to complete a request form.

Swipe out Hunger

UMPI Cares Fund

The UMPI Cares Fund was established to support currently enrolled students experiencing unforeseen financial hardships that may affect their ability to continue their education at UMPI. Reflecting the university’s commitment to student well-being, success, and retention, the program offers limited one-time, short-term financial assistance, and helps connect students with available campus and community resources during times of need. Support is provided on a case-by-case basis to address urgent essential needs and is subject to eligibility requirements, available funding, and university policies and procedures. While the fund is not intended to serve as a long-term source of financial support, UMPI believes that unexpected circumstances should not unnecessarily interrupt a student’s academic journey.

The UMPI Cares Fund provides limited emergency financial assistance to currently enrolled students who are experiencing unexpected financial hardships that may jeopardize their ability to continue their education. The fund is intended to help students address urgent, short-term needs resulting from unforeseen circumstances and to connect them with additional campus and community resources when appropriate.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle recognizes that unexpected challenges can arise at any time and may create barriers to academic success. Through the UMPI Cares Fund, the university seeks to support student well-being, persistence, and degree completion by providing one-time assistance for essential needs that cannot be met through other available resources.

Funding is limited, and awards are made on a case-by-case basis, subject to eligibility requirements, available resources, and university policies and procedures. The UMPI Cares Fund is not intended to serve as a long-term source of financial support; rather, it is designed to help students navigate temporary emergencies and remain focused on their educational goals.

To be eligible for assistance through the UMPI Cares Fund, a student must:

Be a currently enrolled full-time student at UMPI and reside in the State of Maine at the time of application and receipt of assistance.
Provide documentation demonstrating a financial need arising from an unexpected emergency or crisis
Have no other available source of funds to address the need, including but not limited to: personal savings, family support, insurance, community resources, or other institutional aid
Have accepted all available federal, state, and institutional financial aid for which they are eligible.
Preference is given to students in good academic standing

The UMPI Cares Fund may provide assistance for the following categories of need:

Temporary housing assistance, due to displacement by fire, natural disaster, or unexpected events
Essential travel (e.g., family emergency, medical appointment)
Required course materials (e.g., textbooks, supplies)
Essential clothing and personal necessities.
Medical, dental, or mental health expenses not covered by insurance
Safety-related needs
Replacement of essential personal belongings lost or damaged due to an emergency.
Other emergency circumstances for which the student has no other source of funds

The following situations would not typically be eligible:

Standard living expenses (ex: rent, utilities, insurance payments, etc)
Prior or outstanding debt (ex: credit card debt)
Routine or preventative medical or dental procedures
Expenses incurred by others (assistance can only be provided to the enrolled student)
Relocation expenses
Personal automotive repairs
Tuition or fees incurred as a student
Campus housing costs
Health insurance
Parking tickets or other fines

Requests that do not fall into a defined category may still be considered at the discretion of the review committee if the circumstances warrant.

Individual awards are limited to a maximum of $500 per request; students are generally limited to one award during their enrollment at UMPI. *The Financial Aid office will be consulted prior to award decisions. In the event that the Cares Fund award would negatively impact the student’s financial aid status, adjustments will be made accordingly.

Funds will be distributed only as a direct payment to a vendor or service provider; no cash or gift cards may be awarded to the student.

When a student’s financial need exceeds the maximum award amount or falls outside the scope of assistance available through the UMPI Cares Fund, university staff will work with the student to identify and connect them with other available resources. These may include community-based assistance programs, state and federal support services, charitable organizations, campus resources, or other funding opportunities that may help address the student’s circumstances. While the UMPI Cares Fund has defined award limits, UMPI remains committed to helping students explore all available options to support their well-being and continued academic success.