by Marah Russell, UTIMES Staff Writer
Presque Isle, Maine—On March 10th, Kadence Dow, a sophomore at the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI), was officially sworn in as the university’s new student representative to the University of Maine System (UMS) Board of Trustees (BOT). Dow, an accounting major with a minor in criminal justice, will serve a two-year term.
The role provides a chance to advocate for student interests, attend BOT meetings, and serve as a bridge between students and the board, ensuring they stay updated on significant developments and decisions.
Dow was nominated anonymously for the post, seeing it as a chance to advocate for her fellow students. Determined to pursue the opportunity, she recalled her excitement upon learning of her nomination.
“I was super excited! Being nominated means somebody believes you are worthy and capable of looking out for the community’s well-being. I am so glad my peers see me in such a way that I could be considered for such an important role,” she shared.
Superseding Alec Brooks, Dow aims to bring a fresh perspective to the position by amplifying student voices and addressing their concerns. A key focus of her term will be advocating for enhanced campus safety measures, including implementing a “blue light system.”
The “blue light system” is an emergency communication network already in place at several UMS institutions. It consists of strategically placed towers that provide a direct line to emergency services with the press of a button during a crisis. The distinctive blue hue and tall design make them easily visible and are quickly located, especially in the dark.
Dow discovered the blue light system while touring the University of Maine. She felt inspired to push for its implementation after learning that former Student Representative Samantha Morton tried unsuccessfully to bring it to the Presque Isle campus.
Morton, now a UMPI graduate, explained that UMaine Chancellor Dannel Malloy and multiple board members considered installing the blue light system impractical due to the campus’s size, the crime statistics reflected by the annual Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, and the high cost of the units. Colleges and universities that receive federal funding are obligated to disclose information regarding campus crime, security policies, and safety measures under the Clery Act.
“I agree that UMPI should have more care for on-campus security, especially since I have lived on campus myself. I was always curious as to why having an around-the-clock security personnel was overlooked,” she said.
While UMPI is a small campus, Dow said safety should remain paramount.
“I’m hoping people will see this as an opportunity to grow from where we currently are instead of being content with what we already have,” she said. “We have security and resident assistants (RAs), and while they contribute a lot to safety and security on campus, it’s still important to have another outlet.”
She added that campus safety goes beyond just infrastructure. It involves ensuring students feel comfortable voicing their concerns. “My role is to represent them and what they need,” she said. “They need to be able to bring things to me so that I can help them.”
Maintaining an open mind and separating her personal life from her role is crucial to fostering a safe environment. She plans to install anonymous suggestion boxes across campus to support reticent students.
“People voice their concerns all of the time. I’m sure you hear them talking in the hallways,” she acknowledged. “Students constantly talk about the things they need, and just listening is huge,” Dow added, noting that no concern is too minor to address.
Although juggling her academic responsibilities with her new position can be challenging, Dow insisted it’s “worth it.”
“Being on campus for so long and getting to know so many students, you start to understand that it’s imperative for every student to get every need met. And it’s so hard for everyone to do that for themselves, so someone needs to do it,” she said. “Honestly, it’s hard. I’m gonna be super honest, it’s hard. But it’s something that once you get into the groove of things, it gets a lot easier.”
