GORHAM, Maine – With the first few days of classes come and gone, University of Southern Maine students are in full swing and campus activity has sprung to life for the 2022-23 academic year.  Busy since mid-August with the return of our fall student-athletes, the Costello Sports Complex is again buzzing with student-athletes, coaches, team meetings, practices and a variety of events as the Huskies' nearly 450 student-athletes are prepping to take on another busy year balancing academics, athletics, internships, part-time jobs and more. 
 
And to help with the balancing act, the Huskies Department of Athletics is set to resume its Learning Center activity – more commonly known by Husky student-athletes past and present as "Study Tables." A great way to learn and develop essential time management and study skills for student-athletes to maintain their eligibility requirements, the Learning Center is open to all USM students.
 
Since its creation the Learning Center and USM's Athletic Department have helped ease the incoming student-athletes transition with its required "Study Table."  Monitored by Learning Center coordinator and softball head coach Sarah Jamo, first-year student-athletes are required to complete four hours of studying per week and have three places to complete that requirement. Starting September 4, 2022, first-year Huskies will use the "Study Tables" to create strong study habits as well as connecting with fellow student-athletes and other department staff socially. For the first week, first-year student-athletes are required to complete two hours of study time.  In the following weeks, three hours of study time will be required per week.
 
For the 2022-2023 academic year, student-athletes may fulfill their "Study Table" hours in the following three ways:
1. Sign/Swipe in and out of the Athletic study table area with a monitor during Costello building hours
2. Gorham Learning Commons -- Bailey Hall
3. Portland Learning Commons -- Glickman Library -- Second Floor
            **Student-Athletes must sign/swipe in and out of all facilities to receive credit**
 
"Student-athletes who use their study table hours effectively are putting themselves in a position for academic success," noted Jamo. "This is incredibly valuable to first-year student-athletes who are navigating collegiate level work with the independence and time management challenges  during their first time away from home. And while student-athletes can fulfill their study table hours in a variety of venues, students who use the Learning Center in Costello have an easy path to interact with coaches and other athletes outside of their respective programs."
 
Student-athletes who earn a 3.2 GPA or better for the first semester will not be required to continue with the "Study Table" requirement. If student-athletes earn anything lower than a 3.2 GPA, they will be required to continue through the end of the academic year.
 
In fall 2021, 215 University of Southern Maine student-athletes were celebrated as William B. Wise Scholar-Athletes with a scholar-athletes award banquet. To earn Scholar-Athlete accolades, a Southern Maine student-athlete must have a minimum 3.00 grade point average combined for the fall and spring semesters, be a full-time student and be a member of a sports team for a full season. During the 2021-22 academic year Husky student-athletes totaled a 3.24 GPA, and represented 44 different majors available at the University. 
 
Costello Sports Complex Learning Center: Study Table Hours
If the Costello Sports Complex is open, student-athletes may fulfill their required study hall hours.  Coaches and staff will monitor student-athletes in the Learning Center.
 
*HOURS SUBJECT TO CHANGE*
 
What Counts for Study Table Credit?
Studying
Tutoring Appointments
Direct Studies Group Time