A public university’s tough choices: who really gets a say?

Last spring, a group of professors at a Maine university made a bold and unprecedented move—they publicly declared they had lost faith in their institution’s top leader. Such a public rebuke is rare, but in this case, it sent a clear warning: something is deeply wrong.

This wasn’t a decision made lightly. The faculty pointed to a pattern of decisions that ignored the voices of those who know the university best—faculty, staff, and students. At the heart of their frustration? A cherished building that housed the only nationally accredited architecture program in Maine.

The Heart of the Matter: Handley Hall

Handley Hall wasn’t just any building. Donated over 15 years ago and fully renovated to meet the program’s exacting standards, it was a symbol of the university’s commitment to its architecture students. In 2022, an external review praised the program in glowing terms. Yet last year, without warning or consultation, university leaders announced plans to sell the building.

It turned out the president had quietly arranged a deal: swap Handley Hall for another property already leased for a decade. When faculty and students discovered this, they fought back. They sent letters. They held discussions. They spoke at public meetings. Their pleas were met with silence.

Beyond Profit: The Real Cost of the Decision

Public universities aren’t corporations. They exist to serve the community—not just balance budgets. The architecture program at UMA does more than train future designers; its graduates help address Maine’s housing crisis. Selling Handley Hall wasn’t just a financial misstep—it was a statement. A statement that leadership valued buildings over people. Short-term gains over long-term purpose.

The Faculty Senate’s vote was a desperate cry for attention: leadership had failed to listen.

But the cry went unheard.

Days after faculty spoke out, the same leaders remained in place, untouched. The message was clear: Who truly holds power in public education? The students, teachers, and staff who dedicate themselves to it? Or a closed circle making decisions in the dark?

The Fight Isn’t Over

The faculty refuse to back down. They’re wielding every tool at their disposal to demand leadership that respects the university’s mission. Programs like architecture aren’t just valuable—they’re essential. And if current leaders can’t see that, the question remains: Who will?

One thing is certain—the battle for Handley Hall is about more than a building. It’s about the soul of public education.