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UM student affairs leader announces resignation

Posted on Thursday, February 5th, 2004, 12:00 am

Richard D. Chapman, University of Maine vice president of Student Affairs since August 1999, has announced his plans to resign effective July 31.

Chapman said after five years in the position, he is ready to move on, but has not made definite plans for his future after UMaine.

“Thanks to the efforts of a strong and dedicated staff, we have accomplished a great deal in the past five years, and I am most pleased to have been a part of that progress,” Chapman said. “We have worked hard to improve the sense of community that exists at UMaine and I believe that the results of those efforts have had a positive effect on everybody who studies, works or lives on campus.”

President Peter Hoff was informed of his resignation last week, Chapman said.

“Richard’s contributions to our progress in recent years have been very significant,” Hoff said. “He has overseen a real transformation in the student experience at UMaine and has been the driving force behind a number of initiatives that have made life better for our students. Richard personifies the student-centered approach that we advocate so strongly.”

Chapman pushed for the renovation and expansion of UMaine’s Memorial Union, and has overseen improvements in several program areas, including those related to recreation. He also worked to develop a plan to secure funding and begin work on a $25 million student recreation center, which was approved last year and is expected to open in the fall of 2006.

Chapman said he expects the next few months at UMaine to be productive and enjoyable.

“I sincerely enjoy being around our students and others in this community, and I look forward to spending the rest of this semester and the early part of the summer at UMaine,” he said.

Hoff said he will evaluate the situation over the next several weeks before announcing how he will proceed with regard to a replacement.