Questions about Admissions

Do students have to be their own guardian?
In order to fully participate in the STRIVE U experience, students must be their own guardians.  However, parents and/or guardians can be co-medical guardians.  Students can apply to the program while under guardianship, but need to be their own guardian at the time of moving onto campus.

Who would make a good STRIVE U student?
The students at STRIVE U work hard on the four main program areas of community living, employment, post-secondary education, and transition.  Because of this, a motivated and hard working individual would make the best STRIVE U student.  In addition to this, prospective students need to be between the ages of 18 – 25, meet the eligibility guidelines established by the Department of Health and Human Services for the State of Maine for mental retardation, be able to complete his/her own application working as independently as possible, have proven ability to learn and participate in classroom situations and professional work settings, and someone who will be able to live independently with minimal support at the end of the 2 year program.

Questions about the STRIVE U Program

How is the program staffed?
STRIVE U is staffed by Resident Advisors who live on campus. The RA’s will assist the students in achieving person centered goals, with learning how to live independently, and assisting the students with any problems they may have.  There is always an RA on duty from 7am – 11pm on campus.  After that time, RAs are always on call, including overnights, if there is an emergency.  STRIVE U also has 4 Teaching Assistants, or TAs, who provide hands on teaching of the residential curriculum

 What types of jobs do the students have?
STRIVE U is partnered with TalentTree, an employment agency, to find jobs that students are interested in.  Some of the companies where STRIVE U students currently work include The Portland Pirates, The Boy Scouts Pine Tree Council, MEMIC, TD Banknorth, Emery Waterhouse, Atlantic Tile Company, and more. As we work to “raise the bar” on types of jobs students have, our focus at STRIVE U is on office work.

How much is tuition and what does it include?
For an in-state student, the cost of the program is $11,717.00 for the year. This includes room, board, utilities, classes at The University of Southern Maine, classes at STRIVE U, a laptop computer, a cell phone, all utilities, and weekly spending money.  Everything that the students need to live and participate in STRIVE U is covered by tuition. There is a loan option through Norway Savings Bank if students are interested in this, and scholarship information is available through the STRIVEU Admissions Office.

For an out-of-state student, the cost of the program is $60,492.00 for the year.  This is due to the State of Maine subsidizing the cost of residential staffing for in-state students.  While we realize this number is high, out-of-state students may seek assistance from their own state.

Questions about Independant Living

How are roommates selected?
Each student lives in a large, two bedroom partially furnished apartment. Before the students move in, they are required to fill out a STRIVE U Roommate Survey.  The survey has questions that deal with living arrangements – everything from noise level to guests to cleanliness of the apartment.  Based on the way each student answers the survey, students are matched with a roommate who would best complement their living style. 

Where do the students eat?
STRIVE U students prepare meals and eat in their apartments. Each STRIVE U apartment has a full kitchen that is furnished with plates, dishes, silverware, microwave, table and chairs, dish towel, oven mitt, broom, and dustpan.  For the student’s first week, the kitchen is stocked with food, and following that, the students are taught how to do their own grocery shopping, meal planning, and budgeting.  STRIVE U does not have a cafeteria. If students wish to eat at USM, they can purchase meals and snacks from the food court or dinning rooms.

What should students bring to STRIVE U when they move in?
Each of the STRIVE U apartments are partially furnished with beds, desks, chest of drawers, kitchen table and chairs, kitchen equipment, coffee table, and sofas.  Students should talk to their roommates prior to moving in about what each person should bring.  For example, who will bring the television, the stereo, the iron and ironing board, etc.?  Students should also bring bedding, bathroom towels, alarm clock, and any other items that they would need to live away from home.  Students receive their apartment key on student move-in-day.

Where do students do their laundry?
STRIVE U students can do their laundry on campus.  There are coin operated washer and dryer units that cost $1.00 to wash and $1.00 to dry.  The laundry room is open from 7am – 11pm.

Questions about Safety

What happens if a student is sick?
If a student is sick or injured, they have access to USM health services.  There are also two hospitals a few blocks away from the STRIVE U campus.  If requested, STRIVE U staff will consult with the student’s parents/families when a student is ill.

What about safety?
Safety skills are taught and reinforced at STRIVE U.  Training in this area begins immediately, with police and fire departments doing training during orientation week. All dorm buildings are locked and only accessible by the students’ keys.  Every apartment is locked at all times and each student has a key to their individual apartment and room.  Students are not allowed to have candles, flammable liquid, or fireworks in their apartment due to fire safety.  Students must also follow the rules outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. While at USM, students are encouraged to use the police department on campus if needed. The USM police can be contacted by calling from the outside telephones located on yellow poles with blue lights on top.

Can students go places alone?
If a student would like the go somewhere alone, they are able to.  Students are taught skills in order to plan and make these trips safely. Students should have their cell phones with them, with the direct connect feature to the RAs available.

Questions about Student Life

How are roommates selected?
Each student lives in a large, two bedroom partially furnished apartment. Before the students move in, they are required to fill out a STRIVE U Roommate Survey.  The survey has questions that deal with living arrangements – everything from noise level to guests to cleanliness of the apartment.  Based on the way each student answers the survey, students are matched with a roommate who would best complement their living style. 

Where do the students eat?
STRIVE U students prepare meals and eat in their apartments. Each STRIVE U apartment has a full kitchen that is furnished with plates, dishes, silverware, microwave, table and chairs, dish towel, oven mitt, broom, and dustpan.  For the student’s first week, the kitchen is stocked with food, and following that, the students are taught how to do their own grocery shopping, meal planning, and budgeting.  STRIVE U does not have a cafeteria. If students wish to eat at USM, they can purchase meals and snacks from the food court or dinning rooms.

What should students bring to STRIVE U when they move in?
Each of the STRIVE U apartments are partially furnished with beds, desks, chest of drawers, kitchen table and chairs, kitchen equipment, coffee table, and sofas.  Students should talk to their roommates prior to moving in about what each person should bring.  For example, who will bring the television, the stereo, the iron and ironing board, etc.?  Students should also bring bedding, bathroom towels, alarm clock, and any other items that they would need to live away from home.  Students receive their apartment key on student move-in-day.

Where do students do their laundry?
STRIVE U students can do their laundry on campus.  There are coin operated washer and dryer units that cost $1.00 to wash and $1.00 to dry.  The laundry room is open from 7am – 11pm.

Can students participate in USM activities?
STRIVE U students have full access to USM facilities and services.  STRIVE U students receive a USM student ID card during orientation week at USM which will allow them to use the library, fitness center, computer center, and more.  STRIVE U students can participate in any of the numerous USM extracurricular organizations including athletics, music, theatre, art, and volunteer opportunities.

How do students get to work, classes, or around the city?
STRIVE U students walk, take the USM shuttle, and utilize public transportation such as the Portland Metro and the South Portland Bus to travel around and outside of the city.  Students are taught how to navigate the Metro and USM shuttle systems, and are supported with this until they feel comfortable using them on their own.  The Portland Metro operates 21 buses which travel throughout the cities of Portland, Falmouth, Westbrook, and the Maine Mall areas of South Portland.  To learn more about the Portland transportation system, visit their website at www.transportme.com. If a student drives, they are allowed to have a car on campus.

How can the students keep in touch with their families and friends?
Each STRIVE U student receives a cell phone as part of their tuition.  Students can use this phone to call home and keep in touch with their family and friends.  Students are also encouraged to keep in touch by mail and email.

Can students have a pet?
Fish are the only pets allowed in STRIVE U dorms or apartments.  Tanks must be less than 10 gallons.

Can students go home?
Students can go home to visit during the first month they are at STRIVE U, however, students are not allowed to sleep away from their apartment during this time.  Families can also visit students at their apartments on campus.  This is to help students adjust to the campus, apartment, and their new schedule as much as possible.  This also helps with homesickness. After the first month, the students are free to visit their home for overnight stays.

What are some things students can do in Portland?
With a metro population of 230,000, the greater Portland area is home to almost one quarter of Maine’s total population and has numerous activities for STRIVE U students to enjoy.  The greater Portland area provides over 100 miles of nature and walking trials.  Back Cove and the Eastern Promenade offer jogging trails with spectacular views over the water. Within the area there are 11 public golf courses, 124 tennis courts, and 95 playgrounds.  There are also numerous beaches and islands for STRIVE U students to explore.

Portland is home to professional sports including the Sea Dogs, Portland’s AA baseball team and the Portland Pirates, an AHL Hockey team. Portland’s arts, cultural, historical and entertainment attractions are concentrated in the Downtown Arts District.  This is located in Portland’s West End, where the STRIVE U campus is located.  STRIVE U residences are surrounded by some of Portland’s cultural centers including The Portland Museum of Art, Victorian Mansion, the State Theatre, and the Museum of African Tribal Art. 

Portland also has countless restaurants and shops for STRIVE U students and visitors to Portland to enjoy.  To learn more about Portland visit the city website at http://www.ci.portland.me.us/.