Employee Announcements – Âé¶ąAPP Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:45:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 /wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Shield-NoUMA.SB_.SQUARE-150x150.png Employee Announcements – Âé¶ąAPP 32 32 Submit Songs for “Sounds of Culture” Playlist /news/submit-songs-for-sounds-of-culture-playlist/ Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:45:16 +0000 /?p=281734 Read More]]> Help us curate a playlist for this year’s Cultural Day: Stories We Carry.

Use the form linked below to submit your songs to the Sounds of Culture playlist and join us to hear them play during the event on April 21 from 11:30 am – 1 pm in the Fireside Lounge or on Zoom.

Cultural Day calendar event details.

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Changes are coming to how you sign in /news/changes-are-coming-to-how-you-sign-in/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:02:08 +0000 /?p=281680 Read More]]> A message from UMS IT

This summer, the University of Maine System (UMS) is updating how you sign in to UMS services. The good news: for most people, your day-to-day experience will feel very similar to what you do today.

Do I need to do anything right now?

No. There is nothing you need to do at this time. We will send you clear instructions well before any action is needed.

Why is this change happening?

Cybersecurity threats continue to grow, and protecting user accounts is a top priority. These updates will improve security while also making the sign-in process more consistent and easier to use.

What’s changing?

We’re improving the behind-the-scenes technology that supports sign-in and account protection. This includes , which allows you to log in once and access many services, and , which adds a confirmation step to verify that it is really you.

Screenshot of new login screen with full email address and next button
Preview of new SSO login page.

Starting in May, a new SSO login page will appear when you access UMS services such as myCampus, Gmail, Brightspace, and MaineStreet. A preview is provided (pictured), but it is subject to slight changes.

Later this summer, we will begin updating MFA. If you do not currently use MFA, you will be required to set it up. If you already use it, you will continue with your current method for the foreseeable future. We will let you know before anything changes for you.

What’s Next

You may begin to see changes to the login process as we move forward. We will continue to share updates, frequently asked questions (FAQs), and step-by-step guides in the coming months.

For more information:

If you have questions, please .

Thank you for helping us keep UMS systems secure and easy to use.

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Call for UMA Archive Items /news/call-for-uma-archive-items/ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:13:00 +0000 /?p=281489 Read More]]> As Âé¶ąAPP 60th anniversary year comes to a close, we are making an end-of-year call for materials that help capture and preserve the university’s history.

Before you spring clean your offices and storage closets, please keep an eye out for photographs, event programs, publications, memorabilia, and other items that reflect Âé¶ąAPP past.

Even small pieces of our shared story can have lasting value, and we welcome the chance to review materials that may be a good fit for the archives.

For more information, contact Veronica Nargi, Learning Experience Design Librarian, veronica.nargi@maine.edu.

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Free help sessions on Education Savings for UMS Employees and their families /news/free-help-sessions-on-education-savings-for-ums-employees-and-their-families/ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:03:36 +0000 /?p=281479 Read More]]> Get FREE one-on-one help from trusted experts.

The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) and the Alfond Scholarship Foundation are bringing a special NextGen 529® information day to University of Maine System employees on April 29th & 30th, and you won’t want to miss it!

Book a FREE, virtual one‑on‑one help session with a FAME expert and receive information on how  and the  can help you reach your education or family savings goals. You can also get your choice of a $50 Walmart gift card or a $50 Gift of College1 gift card after completing your virtual help session.

Many Maine families use NextGen 529 accounts to pay for many kinds of education, from two- to four- year degree programs to trade schools, apprenticeships, and even qualified online courses.2 You can use your session to learn more about:

  • Matching grants for Maine residents and the $500 Alfond Grant.3
  • Details on the flexibility of NextGen 529 funds.

Spaces are limited, so be sure to .

1Gift of College Inc. and its website, , are not associated with FAME or NextGen 529, its program manager or other service providers. FAME and its program manager or other service providers each expressly disclaim any responsibility for or liability associated with Gift of College Inc.’s products and services, including but not limited to, any transaction effected through . The service is mentioned for your information only. Users should carefully review the Gift of College Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, contribution methods, and fees before using , and users assume all risks of site registration and membership, and making purchases and contributions on , as applicable. If a contribution is effected through , proper credit or investment to a NextGen 529 account cannot be guaranteed or confirmed by FAME, its program manager or other service providers.

2To be eligible for favorable tax treatment afforded to any earnings portion of withdrawals from Section 529 accounts, such withdrawals must be used for qualified higher education expenses, as defined in Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. Any earnings withdrawn that are not used for qualified higher education expenses are subject to federal income tax and may be subject to a 10% additional federal tax as well as state and local income taxes. State tax treatment of distributions for certain qualified higher education expenses may differ. Please consult your tax advisor for specific advice regarding such distributions.

Grants for Maine residents are linked to eligible Maine accounts. Upon withdrawal, grants are paid only to institutions of higher education. See  at NextGenforME.com for other conditions and restrictions that apply. Grants may lose value.

Investing is an important decision. The investments in your account may vary with market conditions and could lose value. Carefully read the Program Description in its entirety for more information and consider all investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. For a copy of the Program Description, visit  or call 1-833-336-4529.

Investments in NextGen 529 are not guaranteed or insured by the State of Maine, the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), NextGen 529 service providers, any other state or federal agency, or any other party. Non-qualified withdrawals are subject to federal taxes and penalties and Maine state income tax. NextGen 529 does not provide legal, investment, financial aid, tax or other advice, and the information provided does not contain advice and cannot be construed as such or relied upon for those purposes. You should consult your own advisors.

If you or your beneficiary are not Maine residents, your home state or that of your beneficiary may offer a 529 plan that provides state tax or other benefits, such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors, not available to you by investing in NextGen 529. You should consider such benefits, if any, before investing in NextGen 529.

NextGen 529 is a Section 529 plan administered by FAME. Vestwell State Savings, LLC is the program manager, The Bank of New York Mellon is the program custodian, BlackRock Advisors, LLC is the program investment manager. BlackRock Investments, LLC, Member FINRA, is the program distributor and underwriter for the Client Select Series only. Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, Member FINRA, is the program distributor and underwriter for the Client Connect and Client Direct Series. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (Merrill), a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC, is the NextGen 529 Direct Series recordkeeping agent. BlackRock Advisors, LLC is an affiliate of BlackRock Investments, LLC; the other service providers to NextGen 529 are not affiliated with each other.

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Weekly Photo Contest Theme #10: Indoors /news/weekly-photo-contest-theme-10-indoors/ Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 /?p=272108 Read More]]> Find beauty inside. Explore cozy corners, dramatic window light, everyday routines, or hidden details. Show us the magic that lives inside walls.

Your HAND photos from last week deserve a high five! Go vote for your favorite images.

a window pane and plants
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Kahoot Trivia – Finish the Lyric /news/kahoot-trivia-finish-the-lyric/ Sun, 12 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 /?p=272525 Read More]]> Think you know the words? We’ll start the song, and you Finish the Lyrics! From classic anthems to modern hits, sing it in your head (or out loud) and see how many you can nail.

Please use PIN 006773358 on or click the “Play now!” button below to start playing.

If you’re new to our Weekly Kahoots: Each week we share a link to 20-25 trivia questions in the Moosenger and on social media. The theme varies but for each week that you play (either by using your student ID#, or “registering” a nickname with the Office of Student Life) you will earn one entry into an end-of-semester raffle with lots of amazing prizes!

a person playing piano holding a piece of paper with lyrics
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Schedule time with a TIAA financial consultant – Bangor Dates Added! /news/schedule-time-with-a-tiaa-financial-consultant-augusta-campus/ Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:26:21 +0000 /?p=44967 Read More]]> Our TIAA representative, Connor Baldwin, will be available to meet with members on the Augusta campus. Below are the dates and times that he will be available.

No matter where you are in life—just getting started or planning for retirement—a session with Joe can help you create a plan for your goals. And, it’s at no additional cost as a part of your retirement plan. You’ll get answers to these questions and more:

  • Am I invested in the right mix of investments to help meet my goals?
  • Am I saving enough to create the retirement income I need?
  • How do I take income from my retirement account once I stop working?

TIAA will be available these dates and times for one-on-one sessions.

DateTimeLocation
Thursday, May 7, 20269:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Lewiston Hall, Room 217
UMA Bangor Campus
Monday, May 11, 20269:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Farmhouse, Room 103
UMA Augusta Campus
Tuesday, July 7, 20269:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Farmhouse, Room 103
UMA Augusta Campus
Wednesday, August 12, 20269:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.Lewiston Hall, Room 217
UMA Bangor Campus

Visit to set up a meeting or call 800-842-2252 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (ET).

Space is limited; schedule your meeting now! We look forward to working with you.

Be sure to have investment, retirement, and savings statements on hand for your meeting.


Please feel free to contact the UMS Benefits Center for all of your benefits-related questions. Visit the for information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Employee Benefits Center is staffed Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

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Call for Participation in Cultural Day: Stories We Carry /news/call-for-participation-in-cultural-day-stories-we-carry/ Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:52:43 +0000 /?p=280931 Read More]]>
Students and staff pose together behind a table with international flags at a campus cultural celebration.

Hello UMA Community,

You’re invited to join us for Culture in Motion: Stories We Carry, a university-wide celebration of the experiences, traditions, and stories that shape who we are. You can join us in person on the Augusta campus in the Fireside Lounge or via Zoom!

This year, we are expanding Cultural Day into something more interactive, personal, and fun. Students, faculty, and staff are all encouraged to participate, whether you bring something to share or simply come to explore and connect.


What to expect:

  • A map to share your roots and connections
  • Cultural food and traditions from across our community
  • Music and sounds from around the world
  • Language wall with phrases and expressions to learn and share
  • Story prompts reflecting the experiences we carry
  • Hands-on activities and creative stations

Want to participate?

You can engage at any level:

  • Bring a dish, object, music, or story (or multiple things!) connected to your culture
  • Or simply show up and join the experience

No need for anything elaborate. This is about sharing what feels meaningful to you.

Student Incentives:

  • Students who share something at the event can receive a $20 gift card
  • Students can get up to a $20 reimbursement for supplies or ingredients
  • We can get your grocery items for you! Give us the list by April 15th, and we’ll do the shopping (up to $20 worth of food).

This event is about connection, curiosity, and community. You do not need to represent an entire culture. Just bring a piece of your story.

We hope you’ll join us.

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Share your favorite stress-relief songs for UMA Radio /news/share-your-favorite-stress-relief-songs-for-uma-radio/ Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:40:53 +0000 /?p=280878 Read More]]> April is Stress Awareness Month

We all relieve stress in different ways. Music can help us to decompress and unwind or give us the energy to power through.

Help us build the most amazing stress-reliever playlist ever! Submit your go-to stress-relief songs below for a chance to hear them on UMA Radio.

Be sure to the last weekend in April and let the music melt your stress away.

Your entries make you eligible for UMA radio swag!

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RSVP by 4/14 for Second Chance Month Lunch with the PEP /news/rsvp-by-4-14-for-second-chance-month-lunch-with-the-pep/ Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:59:29 +0000 /?p=280596 Read More]]> Please join Âé¶ąAPP Prison Education Partnership staff and students for lunch and a discussion on supporting justice-impacted learners through higher education starting at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, April 22, in the Randall Student Center’s Fireside Lounge.

Grounded in Âé¶ąAPP commitment to access and student success, this conversation will explore how PEP creates pathways to opportunity for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students. Attendees will hear about the program’s impact, the challenges students navigate, and the strategies that support their success—from community partnerships and mentorship networks to ongoing collaboration with the Maine Department of Corrections.

This event offers an opportunity to connect with students and staff, ask questions, and better understand the role education plays in supporting reentry, strengthening Maine’s workforce, and building more resilient communities.

All are welcome to attend and participate in the conversation.

Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees.

If you plan to attend in person, please RSVP by Tuesday, April 14, so we can finalize our catering order.

A remote option to participate via Zoom will also be available. The Zoom link is posted on the UMA calendar: 

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