The Sunday, Nov. 23rd Boston Globe features an article in their New England
section entitled "UMaine Looks to Restore Lost Stature".  It cites several
reasons why the school's enrollment has decreased 3,200 in the last eight
years, a drop of over 25%.  Among the reasons given, surprise, surprise,
was the circumstances surrounding the NCAA violations associated with the
mens' hockey team and the school's method of response, especially with the
coach, Shawn Walsh.
 
UMaine President Peter Hoff and student government president Jennifer
Nelson  both acknowledge that the school's handling of the L'Affaire Walsh
has had a detrimental effect.  "You had a Divsion 1 coach breaking rules
and getting away with it, and he's still here," says Nelson.  "That sends a
message."  Hoff, the new president of the university, admits that "it had a
negative effect, in ways that don't make sense to a lot of people."
 
It should be noted that a resolution drafted by student government calling
for UMaine to fire Walsh was withdrawn after it met strong oppositon from
the student body.  And, the drop in enrollment is not solely attributable
to the hockey team's woes.  However, for this observer anyway, it is
comforting to know that at least some people, including prospective
students and their parents, have included the former UMaine
administration's handling of the Shawn Walsh debacle as a factor when
making a decision on the worthiness of the school.
 
I would have to say that the school is paying the price with its
transgressions, even if Walsh is not.
 
Greg Ambrose
 
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