New residence hall, synthetic turf field covered by Press Herald, regional media

The Portland Press Herald on Aug. 9 and the Journal Tribune (Biddeford) on Aug. 24, 2010 ran  front-page stories on UNE's new 300-bed suite-style residence hall  set to open for fall semester and new blue synthetic turf field. Sophomores will live in the four-story building, which has both single- and double-occupancy rooms and other amenities such as a fitness center and high tech laundry facilities. The two projects, with a cost of $24 million, supported about 250 construction jobs, and UNE's overall impact on the Maine economy will be $560 million this year, according to a recent study by Market Decisions, a marketing and strategic planning firm in Portland. As part of the expansion, UNE set aside 170 acres of land in a conservation easement, and the facility is aiming for LEED Silver certification, the third-highest level of the four categories of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. The $2 million synthetic turf field will become the new home for the university's stick sport teams - lacrosse and field hockey. Alan Thibeault, director of campus planning, and Cynthia Forrest, dean of students and vice president for student affairs, women's lacrosse Coach Sue Frost, men's lacrosse Coach Jon Hunt and Athletic Director Kim Allen were interviewed in the stories. The stories were also picked up by WBZ TV (Boston), the Boston Globe online Foster's Daily Democrat, and WMTW 8 TV. More information on the residence hall and turf field.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.