Muskie School of Public Service

Getting Started at the Muskie School

Welcome. We are delighted you have chosen to become part of the Muskie School's graduate programs. We are sure you will find the experience both personally and professionally rewarding.

Following is some information to get you started. Review the other pages on student information and resources for additional topics. The academic calendar may also be useful. Please don't hesitate to call or e-mail Susan Moore, Director of Student Affairs, if you have any questions. Phone: (207) 780-4864.

Advisors/Registration

Each matriculated student is assigned a faculty advisor when they are admitted into the School. Your advisor is an important part of your graduate school years and can give you guidance and support in planning your academic program. Your advisor must be seen before registration. If you cannot reach you advisor over the summer, please contact the program chair. Once you speak with an adviser or the chair of your program, all new students register through the Student Affairs Office. To register, please email Ruth Conly at rconly@usm.maine.edu.

The advisor assignment can be changed at any time. If you feel that a different faculty member can better serve your needs, first contact the new advisor, then contact Susan Moore, Director of Student Affairs with the requested change. The Student Affairs Office will notify your former adviser and the Registrar's Office.

Professor Dahlia Lynn
Chair, Master's program in Public Policy and Management
(207) 780-4524

Professor Charlie Colgan
Chair, Master's program in Community Planning and Development
(207) 780-4008

Professor Gino Nalli
Chair, Master's program in Health Policy and Management
(207) 780-4237

Professor Barbara Fraumeni
Chair, Doctoral program in Public Policy
(207) 228-8245

Immunization

If you were born after 1956 and are enrolling in a degree program at USM, you must comply with the Maine School Immunization Law before registering for classes. We cannot overemphasize the importance of meeting these requirements, as you will not be allowed to register until you are in compliance. If you have questions about the requirement or how to meet compliance, please call the USM Immunization Hotline at (207) 780-4504.

Student Contact Information

It is very important that we can reach you once you are a student. Please contact Dan Roach in the Muskie School Student Affairs office. You can phone him at (207) 780-4188 or e-mail him at danr@usm.maine.edu

  • to give the School updated information on your address or phone number;
  • to join the Muskie student list-serve;
  • for help setting up a USM e-mail account.

The USM ID Card

The USM Card is the official University of Southern Maine identification card. All students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to obtain a USM Card. All students living on campus are required to have a USM Card. You may need it for identification, security and access to certain University buildings and services. While on campus, you should carry it with you at all times.

New and replacement IDs are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM at the Telecommunications Office, 4 Payson Smith, Portland Campus, (207) 780-4054

For inquiries or additional information, please contact:

USM Campus Card Services
37 College Avenue - Upton Hall
Gorham, ME 04038
(207) 780-5600 or 1-800-800-4USM Ext. 5600 or TTY (207) 780-5646
e-mail: usmcard@usm.maine.edu

Blackboard and Other Computing Resources

Blackboard is used in many classes. The following will answer some of your questions.

For additional information on Blackboard and other computing resources please go to USM's Computing Resources page: www.usm.maine.edu/computing/resources.

What is Blackboard?

Blackboard is a course development tool which allows your instructor to teach all or part of your course on the Web. You can do some or all of the following in your course, depending on how your instructor sets it up:

  • See announcements about the course
  • See your instructor's biographical and contact information
  • Check the syllabus, including assignments and due dates, readings, etc.
  • Participate in on-line "chats" (synchronous) with other students and your instructor
  • Participate in a Discussion Board (asynchronous), posting and reading messages from your instructor and other students
  • Access course materials and resources on the Web
  • Participate in small group discussions and projects
  • Send assignments to instructors in a "drop box" and receive their feedback
  • Take on-line quizzes and check your grade
  • Create your own Web page to introduce yourself to the class

What software do I need on my home computer?

You can use either Firefox or Internet Explorer. Your browser must accommodate both Javascript and Java. These browsers are provided at University of Maine System campuses and centers and at ITV receive sites. You can download free copies of for use on your home computer from the USM Computing site.

How do I get to my course site?

You can access your course in one of two ways. Both options below bring you to a login screen. Upon logging in you'll see your personal "portal", which might include announcements, calendar events, and a list of today's tasks. Click on the link to the course you wish to enter in the My Courses box in the upper right of the My Institution tab. The next section outlines specific login instructions.

Go to the Blackboard Login page www.courses.maine.edu.

If your course is being offered as a distance education course and is listed in the UMS course guide distributed by UNET, go to the UNET web site (www.unet.maine.edu ), click on Internet Course Conferences, and click on your course in the list.

How do I log in?

When you see the login screen, click Login. On the login screen, enter your Username and Password. Your UserName is the same as your University (maine.edu) e-mail name (the part of your e-mail address before the "@"). (For example: if your e-mail address is John.Jones@maine.edu, your e-mail name is John.Jones)

If you don't have a University e-mail account, one will be set up for you within 24 hours after you register for a course that uses Blackboard and automatically entered into Blackboard. New e-mail accounts/UserNames are set up with this convention: Firstname.Lastname, eliminating any hyphens, apostrophes, and periods in your last name.

Pay-Per-Page Print Charge Policy

The University of Southern Maine implemented a pay-per-page printing charge in September 2002. A four cents-per-page cost is assessed to University of Southern Maine students using the UCT computer and print services. All Muskie students wishing to use the equipment in the Student Resource Room will need to obtain a University of Southern Maine ID card with their student ID number affixed.