‘Resolve, Directing the University of Maine System To Study the Opportunities To Increase Engineering Capacity in Southern Maine’

‘Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  engineers are essential to Maine's economy, providing an estimated $4,000,000,000 of direct and indirect impact on the State's gross domestic product annually; and

Whereas,  27% of Maine's engineering and scientific workforce is 55 years of age or older and the State is currently producing less than half of the engineering graduates needed to meet the needs of businesses and industry in the coming decade; and

Whereas,  this resolve directs the University of Maine System to study the opportunities to strengthen the capacity of the engineering programs in southern Maine to meet the workforce, applied research and technical assistance needs of southern Maine's businesses and industry; and

Whereas,  the study must be initiated before the 90-day period expires in order that the study may be completed and a report submitted in time for submission to the next legislative session; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Study established. Resolved: That the University of Maine System, referred to in this resolve as "the system," shall develop recommendations for strengthening educational programs to better meet the current and projected engineering workforce, applied research and technical assistance needs of southern Maine businesses and industry; and be it further

Sec. 2. Duties. Resolved: That the system, with input from and in consultation with faculty, staff, students and industry, community and secondary and postsecondary education partners, shall:

1. Identify the current and projected engineering workforce, applied research and technical assistance needs of southern Maine businesses and industry;

2. Review enrollment trends and existing capacity including but not limited to faculty and facilities of the engineering department and related nonacademic programs and partnerships at the University of Southern Maine;

3. Identify future growth opportunities for the University of Southern Maine to better meet the region's engineering needs through program improvements and new and expanded institutional and industrial partnerships including strengthened synergy with the University of Maine's engineering program;

4. Identify opportunities to strengthen Maine's engineering workforce by increasing engineering program enrollment and access among traditional and nontraditional students at the University of Southern Maine;

5. Review best practices from other institutions of higher education that would inform how the University of Southern Maine could best respond to the engineering needs of southern Maine businesses and industry; and

6. Prepare recommendations for strengthening engineering capacity to meet current and projected workforce, applied research and technical assistance needs of southern Maine businesses and industry, including program improvements and new initiatives at the University of Southern Maine to increase student recruitment and retention and strengthen opportunities for students and industry including through internships and cooperative education experiences; and be it further

Sec. 3. Report. Resolved: That the system shall report its findings and recommendations to its board of trustees by November 20, 2017. The system shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including recommended legislation, to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs and the Joint Standing Committee on Labor, Commerce, Research and Economic Development by December 31, 2017. After reviewing the report, the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs may report out a bill to implement recommendations contained in the report to the Second Regular Session of the 128th Legislature.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.’