PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - The University of Southern Maine is ditching its effort to become the University of Maine at Portland, for the time being, at least.
The state lawmaker sponsoring a bill to change the name has withdrawn the proposal at the request of USM officials.
USM President Glenn Cummings tells the Bangor Daily News that he was concerned that the short legislative session may not allow enough time to fully discuss the proposal. He also said delaying the proposal will give USM time to complete a new career and student center and 550-bed residential hall on the Portland campus.
University of Maine System trustees already gave their support to the proposal. Officials said that changing the name carries a cost of about $1 million, but that name change would draw more out-of-state students.
Several lawmakers have questioned the need for the change, saying it’s costly and undermines the regional nature of the university.
Under the proposal, University of Southern Maine campuses in Portland, Gorham and Lewiston would all be branded as the University of Maine-Portland.
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