The Unobskey School

1. The Unobskey School Why it should continue and grow April, 2004

2. Why is this even a question? • The University of Maine issued a draft strategic plan on March 26, 2004 • It calls for the elimination of 2-year degrees and of the “University College” program, of which the Unobskey School is now a part • Of the 11 outreach centers in the University College program, 8 are proposed to be maintained, and 3 to be closed – including the Unobskey School in Calais • Public comment is invited on the plan until June 30. • The final decision on the plan will be made by the Board next fall.

3. 5 reasons to keep the Unobskey School • 1. Calais needs higher education • 2. Graduates have gone on to good jobs • 3. The School makes money for the University • 4. The School benefits Main Street • 5. The School complements the Community College and the University at Machias

4. 1. Calais needs higher education • Education levels are directly tied to the ability to gain good jobs • Calais has about half the rate of college graduates of the state and nation • Calais has more than twice the unemployment rate of the state

5. From 1997 to 2004, the School awarded 42 Associate’s degrees and 85 Bachelor’s degrees This year 4 Master’s degrees have been awarded Graduates are now employed in the area in the fields to the right Nursing Teaching Law enforcement Social services School administration Homeland security Business 2. Graduates have gone on to good jobs

6. 3. The School makes money for the University • In 2003 the Unobskey School had 2,251 credit hours • At an average of $125/credit hour, and $40/class in fees, students paid $310,000 to the University • The cost of the Unobskey School is $167,000 • Without this School, many students would not attend the University – and the University would be a net loser financially

7. If each student spends, on average, about $10 per day in snacks and supplies and shopping, then downtown stores gain over $200,000 in sales from the Unobskey School Organizations that meet at the Unobskey School: Lioness Club Calais School Dept Women Work and Community Bangor Savings Bank Catholic Charities Washington County Leadership Institute Girl Scouts Arts and Humanities Alliance Library State and federal agencies 4. The School benefits Main Street

8. Adds to the Community College * Serves older students (average age 37, compared to 26 at Community College) * Serves women (80% women, compared to 40% at Community College) * Provides access to 4-year and graduate degrees Adds to the University of Maine at Machias * 14 students graduated this year with bachelor’s degrees from UMM through Calais * Most are older, with families, jobs, life responsibilities – and could not have commuted to Machias had the Unobskey School not been there * Heritage Center, Canadian border, arts programs, offer assets in Calais to UM Machias students 5. The School complements the Community College and the University at Machias

9. In summary – The Unobskey School makes ultimate sense • 1. Calais needs higher education • 2. Graduates get good jobs • 3. The School makes money for the University • 4. The School benefits Main Street • 5. The School complements the Community College and the University at Machias

10. But the future is not more of the past... • The world is changing – it is appropriate for the University to prepare strategic plans • The future of the Unobskey School will be different • But “different” can be much more – with more master’s degrees, business education, heritage and wildlife tourism, photography and arts • The University’s strategic plan should be creative – and not negative -- about the Unobskey School’s future

11. Make your voice heard • This is the public comment period – it the right time to give your views to the University • Send comments before June 30th to strategicplanning@maine.edu. • And call and write to newspapers, elected officials, Board members