To Whom It May Concern: The Student Government Association at the University of Maine at Presque Isle is formally reaching out to The University of Maine System on behalf of the student body. As the governing body for the students, we would like to recommend Dr. Raymond Rice’s term as Interim President be adjusted to a more permanent role as President at the University of the Maine at Presque Isle.

Student Government Association

President: Daria Wozmak Vice President: Adan Mohamed Treasurer: Lossene Dorleh Secretary: Elizabeth Butterfield Parliamentarian: Lassana Dorleh BOT Representative: Alexandra DesRuisseaux Senators: Joshua Williams Samantha Bonczyk Katharine Waldron

We feel that Dr. Rice should continue in this position because of his dedication as an outstanding member of this campus community and has shined in this role. We have personally seen him engage with students in a warm and welcoming manner, play an active role in student activities, foster goodwill on campus, organize several thoughtful initiatives and work alongside several faculty members to better the experiences of all students. He has time and time again shown himself to be an outstanding individual and overall exceptional person who understands the needs of the students and faculty alike. The unique insight and perspective that Dr. Rice has is one that cannot be found in any other candidate. He began as a professor and has moved up the ranks to academic dean, provost, and now into his current role as Interim President. Even in this prestigious role, he is on a first name basis with the majority of the campus and similarly makes a goal of knowing the names of students. Another unique outlook that Dr. Rice has is knowing what it’s like to be a parent of a student on campus. He has a genuine passion for this campus and this passion has extended to his son, Zachary Rice. His family is so deeply integrated into the campus and surrounding community and there is no doubt that Dr. Rice will be here for the long haul. He does not view the University of Maine at Presque Isle as a steppingstone and sees us as all that we are and all that we could be. He is the positive change that this campus has needed. Most recently, members of The Student Government Association have worked with Dr. Rice and members from various other departments in the Inclusion and Civility Task Force as well as The Campus Reorganization Task Force. The Inclusion and Civility Task Force aims to initiate a representation of all cultural values on campus and ensure that all members of our campus community feel safe and welcome. In this group, we have seen Dr. Rice does everything within his power to address student concerns in the best way possible. He never shrugs off student concerns as insignificant. Being the genuine and caring individual that he is, Dr. Rice takes all of their concerns seriously and is quick to assist in constructing a direct plan of action. When some issues of structure and efficiency were brought to Dr. Rice’s attention, he created a Campus Reorganization Task Force to help restructure the University. He oversaw the actions of this group and was an enormous asset in creating detailed plans to be implemented for the University in the future. A successful leader leads from behind rather than in front to promote positive change. President Rice does all that and much more. As the simple yet wise Winnie the Pooh once said, “You can’t stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes”. There is nobody better than Dr. Raymond Rice at coming to students and meeting them where they are. He does not isolate himself in his office. Instead, he makes a conscious effort to serve his campus each and every day by fully immersing himself in it. We believe that Dr. Rice is the best fit candidate for the position of President at The University of Maine at Presque Isle. We hope you take this letter into your considerations. Respectfully, The Student Government Association at the University of Maine at Presque Isle