Presidential Shake-Up at the University of Southern Maine

Selma Botman, president of the University of Southern Maine in Portland, has announced that she is stepping down and will take a position in the University of Maine system’s chancellor office. In her new position, which will pay her the same salary as she had as president, Dr. Botman will lead an effort to expand the university’s international programs. This past May President Botman faced a no-confidence vote from the faculty. The vote to approve the motion of no confidence in President Botman was 194-88. The petition claimed that President Botman was “vindictive” toward faculty who disagreed with her and many faculty members disapproved of her plans to reorganize academic offerings at the university.

In a statement, system chancellor James Page said, “President Botman and I considered how we might best move the University of Southern Maine forward. President Botman proposed to me that new leadership might be the best direction to go in and, in a characteristically selfless move, she requested reassignment. I agree with her appraisal of the situation, appreciate her dedication to USM, and support her request.”

President Botman is a graduate of Brandeis University. She holds a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Middle East studies from Harvard University.

Theodora Kalikow, who recently retired as president of the University of Maine at Farmington after 18 years on the job, has agreed to serve as the next president of the University of Southern Maine.

Dr. Kalikow is a graduate of Wellesley College, where she majored in chemistry. She holds a master’s degree from MIT and a Ph.D. from Boston University.