The UNECOM associate dean of students, in conjunction with the staff of the Office of Recruitment, Student and Alumni Services (RSAS), is responsible for the management and development of the following areas: Student support services (e.g. student orientation, professional development, student personnel records, student government, clubs and organizations, special events, and counseling). Matters and concerns which do not fall within either the curricular or clinical areas may be directed to the associate dean of students located in the Office of Recruitment, Student and Alumni Services.
The Office of Recruitment, Student and Alumni Services serves as a one-stop shop for addressing the needs of medical students on the university campus. They are aided in meeting the needs of medical students by other offices in the Division of Students Affairs. A description of those offices and services follows.
COM Student Government Association (SGA)
The Student Government Association (SGA) is the official voice of the COM student body. Senate members are elected by a general ballot, with the exception of the vice-presidents of each class who serve as ex-officio senate members.
The goals of this SGA are to represent the student body in all matters affecting students, determine appropriation of monies to other student organizations, and communicate and maintain a working relationship with faculty, administration, board of trustees, alumni, and national associations.
COM Clubs and Organizations
Currently, the COM SGA supports in excess of 30 active students organizations. Some of the club activities which are supported by the SGA include the Sports Medicine Club, the Undergraduate American Academy of Osteopathy, local chapters of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) and the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Synapse (COM yearbook), and various other clubs and organizations. Sigma Sigma Phi, a national osteopathic honor society, has chartered a chapter as has Psi Sigma Alpha, the national osteopathic academic honor society. In addition, partners are involved with the school by participation in the Student Associate Auxiliary (SAA).
University Health Care
The University Health Care - Sanford Petts Health Center provides high quality health care services to the public and to the entire UNE community, students, faculty, staff, and their dependents. This facility is located across from Marcil Hall, between Hills Beach Road and Pool Road (Route 9). A second facility available to students is the University Health Care - Saco Health Center, located on Main Street in Saco. Additional specialty facilities are located in Portland, South Portland, Falmouth, and the student clinic at the University's Westbrook College Campus in Portland.
Under the direction of osteopathic physicians, the health centers provide care in a model ambulatory care setting and provide an integrated approach to the following services: family practice, prenatal care, workers’ compensation injuries, osteopathic manipulative medicine, eating disorders program, acute emergency care, X-ray/EKGs, geriatrics, gynecology, pediatrics, internal medicine/gastroenterology, physical therapy, counseling, sports medicine, orthopedics, minor surgery, and industrial medicine. Many UNE students have the opportunity to broaden their training in health care delivery through preceptorships in the health centers and through a month-long rotation during their third and fourth years. The Health Center staffs are committed to playing an active role in the maintenance of individual and community health. They have established these goals:
| a. | To promote health through campus-wide programs. | |
| b. | To encourage individual participation in health care decisions. | |
| c. | To provide prompt and effective attention to all health care needs. Physicians are on call 24 hours per day and office hours are available Monday through Wednesday (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.), Thursday and Friday (8 am to 5 pm), and Saturday (8 a.m. to noon). The direct telephone number for the Health Center is 207-282-1516, or through the University at 207-283-0171, ext. 2358. Appointments are preferred for routine office visits and non-emergency procedures. Urgent problems are evaluated and treated based on their severity. University Health Care Physicians provide in-hospital care at Southern Maine Medical Center in Biddeford, at Mercy Hospital in Portland, or Maine Medical Center in Portland. |
Career Services
The Career Services Office is designed to help students with career and life planning. Career Advising and assessment are available for those who need assistance in identifying skills and interests, defining career goals, changing careers and developing job search strategies, with includes creating and revising a curriculum vita. The resource library contains information about careers, doctoral programs, job seeking and potential employers, as well as access to a variety of computerized resources.
Counseling Services
Counseling Services provide a variety of services which address the psychological and emotional health of the graduate and undergraduate student population. Individual, group, or couples counseling is available. In keeping with UNE's focus on health promotion and maintenance, services such as workshops, special issues groups, informational sessions, developmental programming and consultation are designed to address the on-going needs of UNE's population.
The counseling relationship is completely confidential within the legal and professional guidelines of the State of Maine and the American Counseling Association. No information shared with Counseling Services can be released to anyone without written consent. Homicide, suicide, child abuse, elder abuse, or abuse of any incapacitated person are exceptions to confidentiality and will be reported to the appropriate persons. There is no fee for students to use counseling services.
Disability Services
Disability Services exist to provide the qualified student with a documented disability, equivalent access to, and equal opportunity in, the educational environment. A major goal of Disability Services is to assist the student to achieve maximum independence. The University will make a good faith effort to provide an effective accommodation to the student with a documented disability.
Federal laws, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, state law, and the Maine Human Rights Act prohibit postsecondary institutions from discriminating against individuals with a disability. These laws require that postsecondary institutions provide reasonable academic accommodations to qualified individuals in order to ensure equal educational opportunity and access. Dependent on individual need, reasonable accommodations may include a modification to or a waiver of an institutional policy, procedure or service. This includes rules and procedures associated with clearance and course registration.
All accommodations to registration and clearance will be granted on a case-by-case basis after the student has been registered with and granted such accommodations by the Office for Students with Disabilities. The University will make a concerted effort to accommodate the student's request within reasonable means upon timely notice by the student to the Registrar's Office. The University cannot guarantee that the courses, times and locations will be equal to the student's request.
Learning Assistance Services
Learning Assistance Services (LAS) provide a comprehensive array of academic support services, including courses, workshops, individual and group tutoring, and advising. The goal of Learning Assistance Services is to assist students to become more independent and efficient learners, so that they are able to meet the University's academic standards and attain their personal educational goals.
Dining Services
Medical students may choose to participate in the University of New England dining service meal program. The University dining service provides three meals per day, Monday through Friday, with brunch and dinner on weekends at the cafeteria in Decary Hall. A variety of entrees are offered with a deli bar at lunch and a complete salad bar at both lunch and dinner. There is also a cash price for purchasing one meal at a time.
In addition to the full-service cafeteria there are two other dining options on campus. The Hang is a traditional campus grill and located in the Campus Center. Cafe a la Carte offers coffee, breakfast bakery, sandwiches and wraps, soup and salads, and a variety of beverages. It is located in the Alfond Cafe, Alfond Center for Health Sciences. Refrigerator storage, microwave ovens, toasters and purified water dispenser are also available in the Alfond Cafe.
Campus Center
The Campus Center serves as a fitness center, sports complex and student union. Exercise facilities include a comprehensive fitness center, pool, hydrospa, saunas, raquetball courts, indoor track and gymnasium. There is no additional fee for students to use the facilities, and reduced rates are available to spouses and partners. There are a number of intramural sports leagues and tournaments throughout the year, and medical students field competitive teams in competing against other medical school teams as well as undergraduate teams.
Housing and Residence Life
At this time there is no on-campus housing available for medical students. Listings of off-campus housing are available through the Office of Housing and Residence Life website. Students are encouraged to begin their search for housing in the spring, prior to their August enrollment.
Student Activities
All students are invited to participate in the various lecture series, movies, concerts, intramurals, and other events sponsored by the University.
Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog
This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the University of New England for the 2006-2007 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication August 1, 2006.
The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.