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Jeanne Hey, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, wrote an opinion piece that was published in the February 16, 2016 issue of the Bangor Daily News.

Hey decried the current American political culture, which is “dominated by vicious attacks on motives instead of by reasoned debate,” arguing that both politicians and their supporters promote an atmosphere of name-calling and personal attacks rather than focusing attention on policy differences and substantive  issues. According to Hey, “nowhere is this more evident than in the presidential election…”

She appealed to the people of Maine to “rise above this dismal tragedy playing out among our political leaders and too many of their supporters” by relying upon their Maine roots, which are firmly planted in a tradition of independence. “Mainers’ political behavior is neither predictable nor small-minded,” she stated. “Mainers can get beyond partisan bickering because partisanship isn’t important to us. Practicality, problem-solving and people are important to us.” She encouraged Maine residents to “not get caught up in the silly name-calling that comes at the expense of desperately needed debate and action.”