University of Maine - Prism Yearbook (Orono, ME)

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CREDIT UNION The UMO Student Credit Union first opened on September 4, 1978. It is one of only three credit unions in the U.S. that arc completely run by students. The two others arc located at the University of Florida and the University of Mass. The credit union began with a group of seven students who organized a committee to develop the possibilities of a student banking service on campus. With much dedication, research, and hard work, the credit union opened it's doors for business. It has come a long way since then, now operat- ing as a full service credit union offering savings and checking accounts, low interest loans, travelers checks, money orders, financial counseling, check cashing, and direct payroll deposit. A board of directors, responsible for policy making and hiring management for day to day operations is chosen each spring at the annual shareholder's meeting, with each shareholder casting one vote. Ihe new board then votes for the offices of president, vice-president. secretary, treasurer and general manager. Also on the board are a personnel director and a director in charge of marketing. The general manager and treasurer, liable to the board, are responsible for the daily operations of the credit union. They arc aided in this by student tellers. Together, ihp board of directors, officers and tellers operate the credit union as professionally and efficiently as any bank. In doing so. they offer an imponant and necessary function to the UMO community.

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PROJECT COURAGE February 14 was quite a day for Bob McPhee. On that day he was presented with a special valentine from students, faculty, staff, and other members of the UMO community — a valentine which took the form of a check for more than $9000 to help him get an operation which could improve his ability to move and to speak. ‘’Project Courage.” the name given to the fund raising effort which sought to collect $7000 for Bob's surgery, was a way for all those whom Bob had inspired and touched during his career at UMO to show his gratitude and admiration for the courageous young man The campaign was coordinated among the students. Tom Hanson of East Brunswick. N.J.. a senior and close friend of Bob. and among faculty and staff by a team of five UMO staff members. The operation, scheduled for March 11 in Augusta, calls for implanting two battery- powered electrodes in McPhee's neck in an effort to slow down nerve transmissions which currently keep his muscles contracted and result in a very rigid posture. It can possibly improve his mobility and his speech — almost non- existent at present — by 20%. Like many of the heart transplant operations w hich have been in the news recently, this opera- tion is considered experimental, and therefore cannot be covered by routine medical insurance. A minimum estimate of probable expenses surrounding the operation is $7000. and that's what Bob's friends hoped to raise. The response to the two-week campaign, however, was overwhelming. As of the first of March, contributions were still being received, and the total figure had grown to nearly $12.000. On Valentine's Day. when he was presented with the first check. McPhee expressed his grati- tude. “I never thought it (the operation) was possible.” he said, “but now. it's just un- believable what came in today. He added. I can't possibly thank everyone enough, but I will try my best to go on in life. . . to higher levels.” McPhee was an outstanding football player and wrestler at Rumford High School, until he suffered a brain stem injury while playing football. The accident left him practically w ithout speech and with movement only in two fingers of his right hand. He has been confined to a wheel chair ever since. But his disability was far less than his ability to succeed. McPhee went on to earn a bachelor $ degree in journalism from UMO. and is current ly a sportswriter and columnist for the Maine Sunday Telegram. Those who knew him as a student and those who only knew of him turned out in force to give him their support and to thar.' him for his courageous example. Student support in particular was remarkable Each of UMO’s dormitories contributed at least $100. and Delta Upsilon fraternity contributed $2000. raised through contributions and a raffle I had no idea the students were so organized and so productive.” said Cheryl Chcssa. a development officer at UMO and a member of the staff organizing committee. “They did so much work and did it beautifully, yet kept ii quiet and didn’t want to take credit for then efforts. Chessa commented.

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PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 160