Vol. 138, No. 17 - 03.27.22

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mainecampus.com

Monday, March 28, 2022

Vol. 138, No. 17

News

A1

George Mitchell Center hosts ‘Equity and Environmental Justice’

Opinion

A3

American’s reproductive rights are threatened as multiple states advance restrictive abortion bans

Culture

A6

‘Montgomery v. The People of the United States’ provides a modern twist on Socrates

Sports

A9

The Black Bears return to the diamond in Orono

George Mitchell Center hosts ‘Equity and Environmental Justice’

Samantha Sudol Contributor

On March 21, the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions continued their Sustainability Talks series by introducing guest speaker Jessica Scott. Scott is a senior climate advisor for the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and the Future (GOPIF) and led her talk, “Equity and Environmental Justice: Opportunities for the State of Maine.” Scott has been working to establish climate and environmental justice for all Maine people. Scott developed programs to help establish climate goals, like clean transportation, natural and working lands and inclusion of equity and justice. There is a lot of climate vulnerability in the state of Maine. Between discrimination, isolation and underrepresentation, residents of Maine have become more vulnerable to climate change than others. Maine has become one of

the many frontline communities who are faced with the “first and worst” impacts of climate change. These communities are usually composed of low-income populations, people of color, Indigenous communities and rural and geographically isolated communities and may be the least able to adapt to climate change overall. “I think it’s important to understand that different people experience different types of vulnerability throughout their lives,” said Scott. “Vulnerability is not constant. Nor are specific hazards experienced the same way by people experiencing intersecting challenges. We take this equitable and just approach to climate action which seeks to increase climate resources and resiliency, and those in other communities who are experiencing the first and worst impacts of climate change ... are [the] most vulnerable to climate change.” Scott then went

Graphic by David Jakacky. on to discuss equity and routes of action. Equitable climate action would provide increased resources to these communities that experience marginalization and need support when facing socio-economic disadvantages and bear disproportionate impact of climate change. These resources could increase the overall wellbeing of citizens by addressing the root causes of inequality by

ensuring that climate action benefits all. Climate equity in Maine is important to acknowledge, as equal distribution of resources is not enough. To have an equitable system means providing increased resources to the disadvantaged and marginalized communities, as the risks and effects of climate change disproportionately fall on people of color and low-income populations. Policies

should not exacerbate existing burdens and should overall increase the initial causes of inequality. What this means for the Maine community is that change is imminent. People should embrace the future of electric transport, modernize buildings, grow a clean energy economy, create new jobs, build healthy and resilient communities, protect the environment and working

lands and waters by increasing carbon sequestration, investing in climate-ready infrastructure, reducing carbon emissions and engaging people and communities into future opportunities.

Joan Ferrini-Mundy appointed to President’s Committee of National Medal of Science

Maddy Gernhard News Editor

On March 24, University of Maine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy was announced to have been appointed to U.S. President Joe Biden’s Committee on the National Medal of Science. The Committee on the National Medal of Science is composed of sixteen members who award the nation’s highest scientific achievement award. The award is given in recognition of outstanding achievements in the fields of engineering, mathematics, biology, chemistry, behavioral and social sci-

ences and physics. The National Medal of Science was established in 1961 during John F. Kennedy’s presidency, and was first awarded to Theodore Von Karman for his research with jet propulsion. The medal has since been awarded to 506 scientists and researchers. F e r r i n i - M u n d y ’s appointment to the committee has been applauded by Maine Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King. “During her time at the University of Maine, Dr. Ferrini-Mundy has worked to solidify the school as a global leader in education and research, and she

Police Beat The Maine Campus

has helped train a new generation of Maine scientists,” Collins and King announced in a joint press release. They went on to congratulate Ferrini-Mundy for the accomplishment. “We congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition, and we know that she will be an immense asset to the President’s Committee on the National Medal of Science.” Collins and King said in their release. UMaine has also recently received accreditation as an R1 research university under Ferrini-Mundy’s leadership, making

Maddy Gernhard News Editor 3/17-3/19 Over the course of three days, several instances of vandalism and burglaries occurred at fraternity houses

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UMaine the only institution in Maine to receive that level of recognition. UMaine received the accreditation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education earlier this year, a prestigious accreditation reserved for only the highest performing research universities in the nation. Only 146 universities out of approximately 4,000 postsecondary institutions share this accreditation. F e r r i n i - M u n d y ’s leadership and dedication to the importance of scientific research and STEM education have been recognized at a national level and

on College Ave. Multiple fraternities reported vandalism or theft of their signs, including Lambda Chi, Alpha Sig, Theta Chi, Pi Kapp and TKE. Other fraternities reported breakins and burglaries, including Delta and Phi

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her appointment to Biden’s Committee on the National Medal of Science is a testament to that dedication. “The appointment by President Biden to serve on the President’s Committee on the National Medal of Science is a distinct honor,” President Ferrini-Mundy said. “The recognition of the importance, value and contributions of the sciences, in all their forms, reminds us of the difference they make in our lives and in society. The same is true of the arts and humanities. Together, they are critical to who we are and what we can become, and it’s

Eta. There have been an estimated $10,000 in damages related to the break-ins and vandalism. Investigations are ongoing at this time. If you have any information about the incidents, please reach out to UMPD.

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important to recognize and appreciate people who advance them.” The President’s Committee on the National Medal of Science was disbanded following Barack Obama’s presidency, but is making its return this upcoming year. The committee will receive nominations, and deliberate on their selections for the award before seeking confirmation from President Biden on their selections. A candidate’s nomination is effective for three years and typically the award is given to up to twenty nominees per award season.

3/22 A theft was investigated at York Hall after its sign was stolen from the front of the building. The value of the sign is estimated at $1,000. Investigation is ongoing at this time.

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