Division of Lifelong Learning

The Division of Lifelong Learning provides educational experiences that enhance quality of life, empower individuals and organizations, improve professional practice, and provide access to world-class art and cultural events. The Division promotes learning as a continuous and lifelong process and provides a broad spectrum of innovative and alternative educational programs and services primarily for the ongoing needs of adult learners and organizations. Enabling educational access and equality of opportunity, the Division extends University resources to non-traditional and non-matriculating constituencies, and serves as an important linkage between the University of Maine, the people of Maine, and Maine’s work force. By offering tailor made, instructional delivery systems for external constituencies (e.g., off-campus, on-site instruction; Web-based courses; interactive television; video conferencing; computer conferencing and other forms of electronic instruction) the Division provides lifelong learning opportunities that reflect the University’s outreach mission and land-grant heritage. Established in 1996, the Division of Lifelong Learning is composed of the Bureau of Labor Education, the Conferences Services Division, the Continuing and Distance Education and Summer University, the Hutchinson Center, the Peace and Reconciliation Studies Program, and the Women’s Resource Center. dll.umaine.edu/

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS:

Bachelor of University Studies
Minor in Peace and Reconciliation Studies
Minor in Maine Studies

Bureau of Labor Education
The Bureau of Labor Education (BLE), established in 1966 by the 102nd Maine Legislature and the Trustees of the University of Maine, is guided by the principle that education is a necessary and vital component of a democratic society, as well as a lifelong process. The BLE conducts educational programs, presentations, and research on labor and labor-related issues of interest to workers, students, educators, leaders and staff of union organizations, and public policy makers. General topics include employment law, occupational health and safety, labor relations, leadership development, labor economics and history. Through the publication of briefing papers, the Bureau also analyzes important public policy issues such as the occupational outlook for Maine’s women workers, restoring the right to organize, 21st century tax reform for Maine, prevailing wage laws, privatization pitfalls, the minimum wage, and the misclassification of employees as independent contractors.

Essentially, through teaching, research and public service, the Bureau helps Maine workers and others assess their own situation in relation to the global, economic, political and social environment. Also, for the Fall 2010 semester, the Bureau will be offering a three credit asynchronous online undergraduate course entitled: LST 101 - Introduction to Labor Studies. For more information about this course, the Bureau, or to request a program, contact the BLE at dll.umaine.edu/ble or call (207) 581-4124. Fees, charges, and program costs are determined by arrangement.

Conference Services Division
The Conference Services Division furthers the academic mission of the University of Maine by bringing together groups of participants and qualified resource people to share information and ideas, to develop new skills and insights, and to find solutions to current problems. It accomplishes this by professionally coordinating a varied and rich selection of conferences, meetings, seminars and symposia annually, thereby showcasing the University’s facilities and resources through its research and educational endeavors. The Conference Services Division is also responsible for the administration of CEUs for all externally initiated non-credit programs. www.umaine.edu/conferences.

University of Maine Hutchinson Center

The Hutchinson Center provides University of Maine degree programs plus a variety of community education and outreach programs. Located one hour south of the University of Maine’s Orono campus in Belfast, the Hutchinson Center offers undergraduate and graduate courses. Educational opportunities include UMaine Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, and University Studies, general education requirements for Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees, and Master’s degrees in Special Education, Early Literacy, and Social Work. Credit and non-credit courses are delivered live, online or via video conference technology. An individually customized Bachelor of University Studies degree may be completed on site and/or online. A state-of-the art telecommunications facility, with high tech biology and chemistry labs, art studio, and air-conditioned classrooms, the Hutchinson Center also hosts many community conferences and meetings. For further information contact: The Hutchinson Center, 80 Belmont Avenue, Belfast, ME 04915, (207) 338-8000/ 1-800-753-9044, Fax: (207) 338-8013 or on the web at www.hutchinsoncenter.umaine.edu.

Women’s Resource Center
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) promotes and maintains a close relationship between the women on the University of Maine campus and women in the larger Maine community. Located at 102 Fernald Hall, the WRC works with women of all ages and offers mentoring opportunities with women activists, support for women in under represented career fields, gender equity programs for pre-college girls and educators, and campus initiatives addressing sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Leadership, skill development and research opportunities are available to University of Maine undergraduate and graduate students who are work-study and work-merit eligible. The WRC assists women who have specific needs and special concerns and brings together women with similar values and goals. Each year, the WRC embarks on new initiatives that reflect the interest and needs of the campus community. The Center serves as a resource for individuals and organizations, offering information and referrals for women’s programs and services, on and off campus in order to create a broader understanding of the diverse experiences of all women. In addition to an extensive collection of books, periodicals and videos of interest to women, the Center provides an accessible meeting space for small groups, collaboration with the Student Women’s Association, and information about events of interest to women. To find out more about the WRC, go to our web site: www.wrc.umaine.edu/ or call (207) 581-1508.