University System Drops Idea of Merging Augusta, Portland Campuses

By A.J. Higgins, Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

Jan. 10–AUGUSTA — A little more than two years ago, Richard J. Randall stood up for the institution he has dedicated his life to and stared the University of Maine System square in the eye.

The system blinked.

After nearly two years of wrangling, the University of Maine System Board of Trustees agreed to abandon its efforts to merge the University of Maine at Augusta with the Portland-based University of Southern Maine.

Proponents maintained the restructuring would save money and increase the Augusta university’s ability to offer more bachelor’s degree programs while the plan’s detractors feared it would be the beginning of the end for UMA as a college in the state capital with a standalone identity.

Randall, the current UMA president and interim president during the frequently contentious merger debate, opposed the USM initiative, along with most of the faculty and a large portion of the Augusta- area community.

Recognizing his efforts to resist the attempted reorganization of UMA and 40 years of service to the university, the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce will this year present Randall with its Special Service Award.

When the spotlight shines on Randall during the Chamber’s annual awards banquet Jan. 26, it will illuminate a consummate professional who has always known that no maestro is greater than the orchestra he leads.

“I’m extremely grateful for the award,” Randall, 63, said. “But I also need to point out that this is an award that should recognize the contributions of so many other people.” In selecting the veteran sociology professor for recognition, the Chamber characterized Randall as an individual who has provided local leadership, had a profound impact on the business environment and economy of the Greater Augusta region and contributed “significantly to the quality of life enjoyed in the Kennebec Valley.” It’s a quality of life Randall believes would have been diminished had UMA been swallowed up by a larger entity.

While he understood the potential for more UMA bachelor-degree programs envisioned under the plan, Randall also knew there was no new large influx of cash coming to USM from the state to fund them.

More importantly, he could envision the depth of the educational, cultural, economic and social crater that would be created in the region should UMA cease to be one of the system’s seven independent state universities.

“It was, to be sure, a contentious issue,” Randall recalled recently.

“There was a lot of negative campus reaction to it. The (Augusta) campus would have lost its identity. So there seemed to be a need for a general questioning of the direction of a proposal that would have essentially made us a campus of USM.” Two years after a lengthy discussion — including creation of a special task force by Gov. John Baldacci to study the merits of the proposed merger — UMA continues as one of seven independent campuses in the University of Maine System that also includes University College of Bangor as a UMA campus.

“Much of the credit goes to the board of trustees and Chancellor Joseph W. Westphal for their openness in looking at the alternative,” Randall said. “Without the board it wouldn’t have happened, and without legislative and community support it wouldn’t have happened.” Despite his efforts to properly assign credit to all those involved, Randall is still perceived in the Augusta community as the pivotal spokesman in the debate who emerged at the pivotal moment.

Like an academic foot soldier who rose to join the collegiate equivalent of a joint chiefs of staff, Randall’s professional evolution is one that seldom has been seen in the state’s university system.

He joined the UMA staff in 1967 as a sociology instructor and professor, and later served as dean of students and educational services.

After 13 years as provost and vice president of academic affairs, he retired briefly in 2001 only to return three years later to teach part time as professor emeritus of sociology and human services with an honorary doctorate of humane letters.

In 2005, he resumed administrative duties when Westphal named him interim president in July.

In recognition of his efforts to craft a new vision for UMA, Randall was promoted to his current post as UMA president last July.

His widely acclaimed success, however, has recently been tempered by a challenge far more serious. Randall, of Winthrop, is currently waging a quiet personal struggle against esophageal cancer.

Appearing tired and worn from his recent bout of treatments, Randall was pleased he has been able to rally to put on sufficient weight as he continues his treatment.

“I’ve been extremely healthy for most of my life, which has probably served me well in this current battle,” he said. “I knew something was wrong at the end of March and by early April, my medical diagnosis was basically a process of elimination.

“I am grateful for the care and concern of the people at Maine Medical Center as well as the support of my family, friends and colleagues across the state. It makes it easier — not easy, but easier.”

—–

To see more of the Kennebec Journal, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.kjonline.com.

Copyright (c) 2007, Kennebec Journal, Augusta, Maine

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.