The University of Southern Maine is exploring changing its name in hopes of attracting more out-of-state students.USM President Glenn Cummings unveiled the idea during a news conference Wednesday.Cummings points to data that show enrollment in grade schools in Maine is declining, meaning universities have fewer in-state students to attract.Cummings said the university has no choice but to focus on attracting students from other parts of the country."The demographic decline is so significant in the state of Maine for college-age students that every university has to be asking themselves, 'What can we do to be as attractive as we can to a large-scale market?' Bringing people in is part of our responsibility as a university," Cummings said.University officials are considering the University of Maine at Portland as the new name of the school. It would encompass the Portland, Gorham and Lewiston campuses.Cummings said they will take comments from students and staff before presenting the idea to the university's board this summer.Changing the University of Southern Maine's name would also require legislative approval.

The University of Southern Maine is exploring changing its name in hopes of attracting more out-of-state students.

USM President Glenn Cummings unveiled the idea during a news conference Wednesday.


Cummings points to data that show enrollment in grade schools in Maine is declining, meaning universities have fewer in-state students to attract.

Cummings said the university has no choice but to focus on attracting students from other parts of the country.

"The demographic decline is so significant in the state of Maine for college-age students that every university has to be asking themselves, 'What can we do to be as attractive as we can to a large-scale market?' Bringing people in is part of our responsibility as a university," Cummings said.

University officials are considering the University of Maine at Portland as the new name of the school. It would encompass the Portland, Gorham and Lewiston campuses.

Cummings said they will take comments from students and staff before presenting the idea to the university's board this summer.

Changing the University of Southern Maine's name would also require legislative approval.