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The University of New England (UNE) is an independent, coeducational university with two campuses in Maine: the main campus in Biddeford and another in Portland.
[edit] History
In 1939, a boys-only high school and junior college called the College Séraphique was founded in Biddeford by Father Decarry and the Franciscan monks of St. Andre's parish.[2] In 1952, the school changed its name to St. Francis College and began granting bachelor's degrees with state approval in 1953.[2] The high school program was phased out by 1961, and the college was first accredited in 1966.[2][3] The school became co-educational for the first time in 1967 and the monks finally withdrew from the administration of the college in 1974.[2] To survive dropping enrollment, St. Francis College entered into an agreement with the New England Foundation for Osteopathic Medicine to establish the New England College of Osteopathic Medicine on the same campus, and the two merged and renamed as the University of New England in 1978.[2] In 1996, Westbrook College closed and merged with the University of New England. In an odd twist, the merge took place under the terms of the original 1831 Westbrook charter, and the combined institutions became Westbrook College before changing its name back to the University of New England.[4] The campus of the former Westbrook College is now known as the UNE Portland Campus.
[edit] Campus
[edit] Biddeford Campus
The Biddeford Campus is 540 acres (2.2 km²), with 0.75 miles (1.2 km) of ocean frontage. The 26 buildings on the campus include the Harold Alfond Center for Health Sciences, a science education facility, and the Marine Science Education and Research Center, which houses the Marine Animal Rehabilitation Clinic. The Harold Alfond Center for Health Sciences houses Maine's only medical school, University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNECOM).[5]
A transit service called the Nor'easter Express provides transportation from University Campus to downtown Biddeford and Saco, as well as the Saco train station and the park & ride lot near the Biddeford turnpike exit.[6]
[edit] Portland Campus
The 41-acre (170,000-m²) Portland Campus (43°40′59″N 70°17′44″W / 43.68306°N 70.29556°W / 43.68306; -70.29556 (Westbrook College campus, UNE)) is designated a national historic district. It is the home of the College of Health Professions, the College of Pharmacy, the Art Gallery, the Maine Women Writers Collection, and the Dental Hygiene Clinic.
[edit] Academics
The university offers certificates, bachelor's degrees in various fields, master's degrees both on-site and online, and doctoral degrees in medical fields. The university includes Maine's only medical school, the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. Total enrollments is 2,364, including 496 medical students. UNE also has a satellite nursing program in Israel through the Israel College.[7]
[edit] Notes and references
[edit] External links
