Unity Environmental University

Last updated
Unity Environmental University
Unity Environmental University logo.webp
MottoAmerica's Environmental University
Type Private liberal arts university
EstablishedSeptember 7, 1965;59 years ago (1965-09-07)
Accreditation NECHE
Endowment $18 million
President Dr. Melik Peter Khoury
Academic staff
200
Students9,100
Location
New Gloucester
,
Maine
,
U.S.
CampusRural, multiple sites
Colors Green and white
Website www.unity.edu

Unity Environmental University (formerly Unity College) is a private liberal arts university in New Gloucester, Maine, United States. It offers in-person and online associate, baccalaureate, and master's degree programs on sustainability and environmental science. Unity is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education and is classified among "M3: Master’s Colleges and Universities – Small programs".

Contents

Initially founded as a residential institute in Unity, Maine, the university expanded into online education in 2016 which grew both its enrollment and number of academic programs. [1] The university moved its online program to the Pineland Farms campus in New Gloucester in 2019 and later relocated their administrative headquarters there. [2] [3] It also operates a farm and indoor growing facility in Thorndike and an outdoor center in Moose River. [4] [3]

History

The college was founded in 1965 as the Unity Institute of Liberal Arts and Sciences with a faculty of 15 and a student body of 39. The founders, a group of local business people, were looking for ways to counter economic decline in the town of Unity. Two years later, it changed its name to Unity College and in 1969 awarded degrees to its first graduating class of 24. [5] The college's founders had previously considered opening a bowling alley and a sock factory before settling on the college, which didn't adopt an environmental-oriented focus until 1977. [6] It built the first Passivhaus college residence in the U.S. in 2011 and became the first college in the country to divest its endowment of fossil fuels in 2012. [7]

Unity underwent a tumultuous period in the 1980s, when it was placed on probation by its accreditor. President Wilson Hess, a professor who was selected to lead the college in the middle of the crisis, led fundraising efforts to put Unity on a firm financial footing. [8] The college received an unprecedented $10 million gift in 2011 and its endowment has since grown to $18 million. [9] Unity began offering online education in 2016 with its first master's degree, in Professional Science. [10] It began offering undergraduate online programs two years later. [11] In 2020, Unity College closed its Unity campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. During the pandemic-related closure, the college announced it would pivot away from a traditional residential model and would consider selling its campus. [12] The proposed sale of the Unity, Maine campus and pivot towards distance education frustrated alumni and some faculty, who accused the school of drifting from its environmental mission. [13] Also in 2020, Beth Bing, a former employee, plead guilty to making unauthorized purchases on her college credit card and using fraudulent email and phone communications. [14] In 2021, President Melik Peter Khoury told the Morning Sentinel that the campus was "never listed for sale" and that it would reopen for the fall term, though two years later it was offered for sale as the school continued its shift towards online education and in-person education in New Gloucester and other sites. [15] [16]

The institution moved its online offices from Unity to New Gloucester in 2019. [2] In 2021, when the fate of the Unity, Maine campus was still uncertain, the college announced a new online and commuter junior college, which is also located in New Gloucester called the Technical Institute for Environmental Professions. [17] The college also moved to New Gloucester. [3] Residential students complete their general education courses online under the college's in-person model and can live on the University of Southern Maine campus forty minutes away in Gorham, Maine, where they can utilize USM's libraries and other facilities. [18] [19]

On February 27, 2023, Unity College announced it would change its name to Unity Environmental University. [20] The new name will be introduced gradually over the next year. [21] [22] In 2023, the university announced it had more than 7,500 students full-time students across all of its educational units with its online programming being hailed as an "uncommon success story." [23]

Past presidents include Mitchell Thomashow, Wilson Hess, and Stephen Mulkey. [7] [24] [25]

Academics

Unity is divided into Sustainable Education Business Units rather than schools and colleges like a traditional university. These are: [26]

The Technical Institute for Environmental Professions offers associate degrees, while the Distance Education offers both Bachelor of Science degrees and the Professional Science Master's Degree. [27] Bachelor's degrees are also available from Unity Environmental University at Pineland.

Athletics

Unity had an athletics program and was a member of the Division II level of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA), primarily competing in the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) from 2008–09 until 2018–19. [28] Known as the Rams, the athletics program featured both USCAA-sanctioned sports and club sports, including a Woodsman team. [29]

Previously, Unity competed in up to nine intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports included basketball, cross country, soccer and track & field; while women's sports included basketball, cross country, soccer, track & field and volleyball. Additionally Unity had a number of club sports: woodsmen's team, ice hockey, indoor soccer, lacrosse, martial arts and ultimate frisbee; plus intramural sports. [30]

Accomplishments

The Unity College men's and women's cross-country teams both won the 1996 National Small College Athletic Association (NSCAA) National Championship. These were Unity College's first-ever men's and women's national championship teams. The team was coached by Mark Kibler. The NSCAA was the predecessor of today's United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). In 1992 the Unity College women's cross country team won the NAIA Division 5 New England Championship. [31]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of New England (United States)</span> Private research university in Portland and Biddeford, Maine, U.S.

The University of New England (UNE) is a private research university in Portland and Biddeford, Maine, United States. It traces it historical origins to 1831 when Westbrook Seminary opened on what is now the UNE Portland Campus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vermont Technical College</span> Public college in Vermont (1866–2023)

Vermont Technical College was a public technical college in Vermont. Its main residential campuses were located in Randolph Center and Williston. In addition, there were regional campuses distance sites, and nursing campuses in locations throughout the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry</span> Doctoral research institution in Syracuse, New York, US

The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is a public research university in Syracuse, New York, focused on the environment and natural resources. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. ESF is immediately adjacent to Syracuse University, within which it was founded, and with which it maintains a special relationship. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State University of New York at Delhi</span> Public college in Delhi, New York, U.S.

The State University of New York at Delhi is a public college in Delhi, New York, United States. It is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Over 3,000 students attend the institution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Southern Maine</span> Public university in Portland, Gorham and Lewiston, Maine, U.S.

The University of Southern Maine (USM) is a public university with campuses in Portland, Gorham and Lewiston, Maine, United States. It is the southernmost of the University of Maine System. It was founded as two separate state universities, Gorham Normal School and Portland University. The two universities, later known as Gorham State College and the University of Maine at Portland, were combined in 1970 to help streamline the public university system in Maine and eventually expanded by adding the Lewiston campus in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Joseph's University (New York)</span> Private college in Brooklyn and Long Island

St. Joseph's University, New York is a private Catholic university in New York State, with campuses in Brooklyn and Long Island. The university provides education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, offering degrees in more than 54 majors and other programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bluefield State University</span> Historically black university in Bluefield, West Virginia, US

Bluefield State University is a public historically black university (HBCU) in Bluefield, West Virginia. Despite being an HBCU, Bluefield's undergraduate student body is now over 80% white.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Virginia University Institute of Technology</span> Public college in Beckley, West Virginia, US

West Virginia University Institute of Technology is a public college in Beckley, West Virginia. It is a divisional campus of West Virginia University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Campbellsville University</span> Christian university in Campbellsville, Kentucky, US

Campbellsville University (CU) is a private Christian university in Campbellsville, Kentucky. It was founded as Russell Creek Academy and enrolls more than 12,000 students. The university offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">York County Community College</span> Public college in Wells, Maine, US

York County Community College (YCCC) is a public community college in Wells, Maine. YCCC is part of the Maine Community College System.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Maine at Presque Isle</span> Public university in Presque Isle, Maine, US

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is a public college in Presque Isle, Maine. It is part of the University of Maine System and one of two University of Maine System schools in Aroostook County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bay Path University</span> Private university in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, US

Bay Path University is a private university in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, United States. Bay Path offers both all-women bachelor's degree programs and co-educational graduate programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Maine at Fort Kent</span> Public college in Fort Kent, Maine, US

The University of Maine at Fort Kent is a public college in Fort Kent, Maine. It is the northernmost campus of the University of Maine System. It is an academic center for Acadian and French American culture and heritage, and French-speaking Mainers from throughout the state. It currently has an enrollment of 1,557 students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berkeley College</span> Private for-profit college in New York and New Jersey, US

Berkeley College is a private for-profit college with campuses in New York City, New Jersey, and online. It was founded in 1931 and offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate programs. Berkeley College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Its administrative headquarters are in Little Falls, New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Maine at Augusta</span> Public college in Augusta, ME

The University of Maine at Augusta is a public college in Augusta, Maine, United States. It is part of the University of Maine System. UMA provides baccalaureate and select associate degrees for residents of Central Maine. The university has campuses in Augusta and Bangor, and courses offered online and across the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern Maine Community College</span> Public community college in Maine, USA

Southern Maine Community College is a public community college in South Portland, Maine. It is part of the Maine Community College System.

Mitchell S. Thomashow is a writer, educator, and environmentalist focused on innovations in sustainability and environmental learning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Cincinnati Clermont College</span> Regional public college in Batavia, Ohio, US

The University of Cincinnati Clermont College is a satellite campus of the University of Cincinnati with its main campus in Batavia, Ohio.

Westcliff University (WU) is a private, for-profit university in Irvine, California. Founded in 1993, it offers bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees, as well as certificate programs and continuing education courses.

Vermont State University is a public university in the U.S. state of Vermont formed through the merger of three institutions: Castleton University, Northern Vermont University, and Vermont Technical College. First proposed in December 2020 as a way to consolidate the Vermont State Colleges, the state's public university system, it is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

References

  1. ↑ "Unity College adds five new degree programs to Distance Education". Unity College. 2020-01-10. Retrieved 2020-08-03.
  2. 1 2 Shelly, Molly (2019-12-11). "Unity College's Distance Education Department relocates to New Gloucester". Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  3. 1 2 3 "Locations and Facilities". Unity Environmental University. Retrieved 2024-05-22.
  4. ↑ College, Unity (2018-03-07). "Historic Sky Lodge donated to Unity College". Unity College. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  5. ↑ "At A Glance | Unity College | America's Environmental College". www.unity.edu. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  6. ↑ Donahue, Bill (2021-07-23). "Can the Soul of "America's Environmental College" Survive Digital Disruption?". Down East Magazine. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  7. 1 2 "How A Small College Launched Divestment from Fossil Fuels". Yale E360. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  8. ↑ "In Deep Financial Trouble, Maine's Unity College Faces Loss Of Its Accreditation". Christian Science Monitor. 1990-08-06. ISSN   0882-7729 . Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  9. ↑ "Unity College Celebrates Decade of Divestment". Unity College. Retrieved 2022-09-28.
  10. ↑ Sudmeyer, Alecia (2016-06-14). "Unity College unveils online master's degree". Unity College. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  11. ↑ Sudmeyer, Alecia (2018-07-24). "Living up to our name through distance education". Unity College. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  12. ↑ "Unity College Considers Selling Waldo County Campus As It Transitions To Hybrid Learning Model". Maine Public. 2020-08-04. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  13. ↑ Curtis, Abigail (2020-08-10). "As Unity College Retools, Some Fear The School Has 'Lost Its Way'". Maine Public. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  14. ↑ Whitford, Emma. "Former Unity College Employee Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud". Inside Higher Ed. Times Higher Education. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  15. ↑ Loftus, Sawyer (2021-06-04). "Unity College is abandoning plans to sell its campus". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  16. ↑ Schwartz, Natalie. "Unity Environmental University explores campus sale amid online pivot". Higher Ed Dive. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  17. ↑ Writer, Edward D. MurphyStaff (2021-07-08). "Unity College to open environmental professions institute at Pineland Farms". Press Herald. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  18. ↑ "Unity College: Hybrid Learning". Unity College. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  19. ↑ "Housing And Dining". Unity Environmental University. Retrieved 2024-08-07.
  20. ↑ "Unity College is changing its name to better reflect environmental mission". Maine Public. 2023-02-27. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  21. ↑ College, Unity (2023-02-27). "Unity College Evolves into Unity Environmental University". Unity College. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  22. ↑ "Unity Environmental University". Unity College. Retrieved 2023-02-28.
  23. ↑ Moody, Josh. "An Online Pivot Pays Off". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
  24. ↑ Bloch, Jessica (2010-03-15). "Ex-Unity College president to lead UMFK". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  25. ↑ "A Biographical Sketch of Dr. Mitchell Thomashow". Western Michigan University. 2013-01-23. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  26. ↑ "Enterprise Model". Unity Environmental University. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  27. ↑ "Program Search". Unity Environmental University. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  28. ↑ "History of the Yankee Small College Conference". Yankee Small College Conference. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  29. ↑ Staff (2020-08-04). "Unity College sports on hold for 2020-21". Waldo County VillageSoup. Retrieved 2022-07-25.
  30. ↑ "Unity College Athletics". Unity College Athletics. Retrieved 2016-08-19.
  31. ↑ "Johnson State Bulliton" (PDF).

44°36′14.05″N69°19′50.90″W / 44.6039028°N 69.3308056°W / 44.6039028; -69.3308056

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.