Question 6: The Higher Education Bond

On November 8, Maine citizens will have the opportunity to support higher education and lifelong learning by voting on Question #6, the Higher Education Bond. If passed, this $9 million bond proposal will provide $5 million toward Maine’s seven Community Colleges for essential repairs and improvements to campus facilities. See our brochure on question 6 (pdf file) and fact sheet on how the bond funds would be used.

The Higher Education Bond comes at a crucial time for our Community Colleges. In just two years since our former Technical Colleges took on the community college name and mission, enrollment has jumped 44 percent to more than 10,800 degree students statewide. That means that 3,300 new college students are using existing classrooms, labs, libraries, parking lots, residence halls, and other facilities. Behind this phenomenal growth is real progress toward raising Maine’s historically low college-going rates. We are seeing meaningful gains in high school graduates going on to college, as well as adult learners enrolling in college to prepare for a new career in a changing economy. In this time of record growth, $5 million will go far in making critical repairs and improvements to facilities at each of our seven Community Colleges.

Also included in the Higher Education Bond is $2 million to build a new center for the University of Southern Maine’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Portland. The Institute provides educational opportunities for thousands of Mainers, ages 50 and older. Passage of the bond will attract an additional $4 million in private funds, thereby broadening the reach of what is fast becoming a valuable resource for a growing segment of Maine's population.

A final $2 million of the $9 million bond would help fund improvements at the Universities in Fort Kent, Presque Isle, Machias, Farmington and Augusta.

Individuals and/or organizations wishing to support the Citizens for Higher Education bond campaign, may contact Citizens for Higher Education, P.O. Box 524, Augusta, ME 04332-0524.

If you would like to work with Question 6 campaign volunteers by distributing signs or flyers, please contact us at: info@mccs.me.edu.

Thank you for your support.