University of Maine System Votes to Remove George Mitchell's Name from Institutions Amid Epstein Links

The University of Maine System's board of trustees voted 9-5, with one abstention, to rebrand programs named after former US Senator George J. Mitchell, a Democrat from Maine. The decision comes after the exposure of Mitchell's connections to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, whose name has been linked to sex trafficking allegations.

Mitchell's name appeared over 300 times in documents released by the Department of Justice concerning Epstein. An email from August 2009, sent shortly after Epstein's release from prison on sex offense charges, listed Mitchell as a participant in a gathering Epstein intended to "fully fund." Another correspondence from October 2014 showed Epstein's assistant inquiring about forwarding "the number we have for George Mitchell."

In 2018 messages released by the Department of Justice, Epstein referred to Mitchell as a "very close friend." Mitchell, 93, served in the Senate from 1980 to 1995, including a term as Senate Majority Leader. He previously resigned as honorary chair of his scholarship funding program in February, following a statement from program leaders that initiating a name change consideration was appropriate.

Institutions to be renamed include the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions and the George J. Mitchell Peace Scholarship. The Mitchell Center will be temporarily renamed the University of Maine Center for Sustainability Solutions, and the scholarship will be called the University of Maine Peace Scholarship. A university task force determined that using Mitchell's name "would compromise the public trust and reflect adversely upon the university and its reputation," though it found no direct evidence of wrongdoing by Mitchell himself.

Mitchell has denied knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities and has never been charged in relation to Epstein. A spokesperson for Mitchell stated in February that the former senator declined invitations from Epstein after learning of his criminal conduct. Mitchell also handwritten a letter to Epstein for his 50th birthday book in 2003.

Some members of the board voiced strong opinions. Student trustee Matthew Webber stated that students felt Mitchell being "put on a pedestal" was an "injustice" and that renaming was in the best interest of the university. Board chair Roger Katz described the situation as a "huge tragedy" and emphasized the need to "listen to our students." Conversely, trustee Donna Loring voted against the renaming, arguing that Mitchell's international contributions were "exemplary" and should not be diminished due to unproven accusations, asserting a lack of due process.

Trustee Emily Cain, who voted in favor of the renaming, acknowledged Mitchell's significant work, particularly in Northern Ireland, but stated that the current context made it impossible to focus solely on his achievements. Updating institutional websites, signage, and other materials may take several months, according to a University of Maine System spokesperson.

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