Thesis Archives Search
This search engine will let you explore the over 1800 theses written in Honors at The University of Maine since the Program’s inception in 1935. You may search our thesis archives based on any of the fields listed above. If the thesis is available at the Reynolds Library (Thomson Honors Center) or Fogler Library (Special Collections), the information will appear below the bibliographic data. At last count, we had about 1800 theses in the Reynolds Library.
Search Results
Band of Misfits: Exploring the Representation of Punk, Hardcore and Independent Music Communities in Graphic Media
Bangor and the Powers That Be: A Community Power Structure Analysis
Bangor Women Artists in the Context of American Culture at the Turn of the Nineteenth Century
BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT AND OVERCOMING ECONOMIC INTEGRATION CHALLENGES FOR FOREIGN-BORN WORKERS IN MAINE
Major: Anthropology & International Affairs Graduation Year: 2018 Thesis Advisor: Robert W. Glover
Description of Publication:
With increasing globalization, more people are moving across borders and between countries than ever before. Immigrants often come to the United States to create better lives for themselves and take advantage of the opportunities available. Yet for skilled immigrants this is often an idealistic goal, since there are many barriers to employment that prevent these individuals from working in their professional fields. Through a mixed methods approach encompassing case studies from literature, original survey data, and insights drawn from interviews and discussions, this thesis investigates the different barriers to employment for foreign-born workers in Maine, and provides recommendations for addressing these obstacles. The most significant barriers identified were lack of English language skills, inability to have credentials (such as education and professional training) recognized and transferred, and confusion surrounding standards of the U.S. job market and the cultural elements of networking and the job application process. The most impactful recommendations, corresponding to these challenges, were the implementation of training programs in areas such as English language and retraining for specific professions, as well as support in navigating the job search and application process, streamlining the credential evaluation process, and working with employers directly to establish programs tailored to their specific labor needs. Maine’s unique demographic situation provides greater incentive for reducing or eliminating obstacles that hinder immigrants seeking employment in skilled positions who can provide needed labor to combat an employment crisis.
Location of Publication: fogler
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/315
Barriers to Hospital Food Waste: A Pilot Exploratory Study
Major: Nursing Graduation Year: 2019 Thesis Advisor: Deborah Saber
Description of Publication:
Food waste is an ever-growing problem in this country and hospitals are large producers of food waste. Food is something that is beneficial to everyone on the planet, but when wasted, it creates added methane gas production which contributes to the greenhouse gas effect. There is a paucity in the literature concerning industry specific food waste disposal processes. To add knowledge about food waste in Maine, a 24-question survey was used to ask healthcare organizations nutritional and environmental personnel about, food disposal, reuse, and environmental sustainability efforts. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The response rate was low, however the data provided some insight into food waste in healthcare institutions. With a better understanding, new efforts can focus to food waste reduction, circular economy support, and environmental sustainability.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/521/
Basal Area Factor in Variable Radius Sampling Effects on Stand Level Measurements
Major: Forestry Graduation Year: 2020 Thesis Advisor: Aaron Weiskittel
Description of Publication:
The purpose of this thesis is to explore the basal area factor (BAF) of a variable radius plot and its effects stand level measurements. This type of forest inventory is used widely across Maine. These inventory methods can have effects on how a forest is portrayed numerically, which in turn effects the management prescriptions and decisions. The objective of this study was to compare the tradeoffs between inventories using a 10, 20, and 30 BAF prism and examine how these different methods effect different parts of an inventory. This includes analyzing how the inventory may vary in terms of volume, basal area, trees per acre, and species representation. Additionally, the efficiency and standard error differences between BAFs was analyzed. Future projections made using FVSonline were also compared. Data collection was done on Nickerson Tree Farm in Greenville, Maine. Between the 3 BAFs used as well as the stand types, a two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test was ran to test of statistical significance using a .95 confidence interval. This ANOVA suggested no statistical significance for any of the variables, except stand type and trees per acre. There were also measurable tradeoffs between the different BAFs that were used, which suggests practical significance outside where the ANOVA was applied. This includes the fact that smaller BAFs tend to favor smaller standard error across all measurements, as well as more diverse species distribution. Additionally, there are many different benefits to larger BAFs, including speed and getting a quick look at low quality stands that are not favorable for management.
Location of Publication:
URL to Thesis: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/626/
BATES MILL #5: A CASE STUDY IN INNOVATION, PAST AND FUTURE
Bates Mill #5 has stood as a symbol of innovation in downtown Lewiston Maine
since 1914 when it was completed. It has been vacant since the early 2000s when the remnants of the Bates Manufacturing Company moved their textile operation to Monmouth, Maine. The city of Lewiston seized Mill #5 in 1992 for unpaid taxes and has been grappling with how to reuse the property since then. In order to discuss the possible futures of Mill #5, it is important to have an understanding of the situation as it stands today; what has recently been done with the building and what efforts have been made to resolve the issues surrounding it. An examination of the various reasons development was not pursued as well as the people who have been working towards a future for the mill provide an important context for discussing the potential fate of the mill. Equally as important is an understanding of the layout of the building as well as its history. Finally, it is important to have a clear model of the cycle of innovation which can be used to examine the past and the future of the Mill. Mill #5 has undergone several iterations of this cycle and in order to discuss whether the mill can progress it must be established where in the cycle Mill #5 is currently located. Each of these explorations provide context and help inform a meaningful discussion of the possible futures for Bates Mill #5.