Getting Started

Complete these steps before your work begins:

1

Member Registration

Undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests start here! Registrants are guided through next steps for on-site membership purchase, training, and assistance.

2

Online Training

Members learn safe equipment operating procedures and site-specific answers to frequently asked questions across a wide range of facility resources and workspaces.

3

In-Person Training

Members reserve time for one-on-one safety training and instruction with our staff.
Required for access to the FabLab / Woodshop and Recording Studio.

Questions about the process? Contact us at blue@maine.edu or click Request Assistance.

Request Assistance

Access and safety training for all facility resources, equipment, and labs for a modest monthly membership subscription

BLUE ResourceIncluded in Monthly Membership
FDM and Resin 3D PrintingYes
Large Format 2D PrintingYes
Vinyl Cutting / Printing / Heat TransferYes
Laser Cutting / EngravingYes
Woodshop / Paint Spray BoothYes
103 Projection Mapping*Yes
104 Theater Reservation*Yes
105 Music Production LabYes
106 Recording StudioYes
109 Media Production LabYes
110 Podcasting LabYes
Safety Training with BLUE Staff Yes
Project/Event Assistance with BLUE StaffNo
Lab/Equipment Materials**No

* Up to 1hr/mo for use of multifunction rooms 103/104
** Standard lab/equipment materials available on-site at mkt rates

Click the “Facilities and Equipment Tab” above for more info.

  • The inaugural year membership rate for UMS students, faculty, and staff is $10/month, effective until June 30th, 2027.
  • UMS Alumni membership rate is $25/month
  • Annual membership is also available
  • Memberships can be purchased on-site in Stewart Commons Room 101
  • UMS Student groups and Campus Departments can also fund individual student, faculty, and staff memberships. Student groups can pay by Bear Bucks, cash, or check in Stewart Commons Room 101. Departments use the interdepartmental order (IDO) form
  • All rates are periodically reviewed and subject to change
  • Cancellation within 24 hours of service start date must be made in person or by phone at 207-581-8822 
  • Non-Commercial usage cancellation will incur all service fees for service(s) already completed at or before time of cancellation
  • Commercial usage cancellation after user agreement to service estimate will incur 25% of all applicable service costs
  • Commercial usage cancellation within two weeks of service start date will incur 50% of all applicable service costs
  • Commercial usage cancellation at or after start of service will incur all applicable service costs
  • Damage to facility equipment or facilities through negligent, reckless, or willful conduct is billable.
  • Please note that facility policy restricts users from accessing the facility and its equipment, regardless of prior training and member status.
  • Access is reinstated (typically within 48 hours) following membership reinstatement and/or the full payment of any outstanding balance.
  • If you are experiencing a financial hardship that makes timely payment a challenge, please contact us at blue@maine.edu.
  • Keeping outstanding balances low allows us to advocate for the continuation and expansion of beneficial resources.
  • All self-service users must complete required basic safety training and equipment training prior to making reservations.
  • The facility aligns with and adheres to all campus guidelines and safety measures outlined by the University of Maine System and UMaine Orono campus ordinances.
Facility Policy Agreement 12.5.25
  • As a University of Maine facility, student safety and interdisciplinary, experiential learning are the first and foremost priorities. We ask all users to understand that equipment and technology may falter or be busy from time to time and that students or staff may make mistakes during their learning process.
  • In accessing facility services, all users acknowledge that all best efforts are made to set and meet clear expectations of service excellence in accordance with the Operational Guidelines & Essential Functions of the facility, under the guidance of UMaine Research, and in alignment with the Vision & Values of the University.

Funding support opportunities for BLUE services at the University of Maine include:

Center for Undergraduate Research (CUGR) Academic Year and Summer Fellowships: Extended projects under faculty mentorship are eligible for consideration. Contact: cugr@maine.edu.

Graduate Student Government’s Grant Program: Grants offered for individuals, clubs, and organizations. Contact: gsg.grants@maine.edu.

Faculty Research Fund Program: The Vice President for Research provides funds to assist faculty in establishing or maintaining high quality research programs and other creative achievements. Eligibility is limited to full-time faculty; including tenured, tenure-eligible, and soft-money faculty for whom research is an expected component of their appointment. Contact: research@maine.edu.

Contact us at blue@maine.edu with any questions.

BLUE Member Resource Reservation Portal

Electronics Lab

The lasers in the electronics lab are among the most-used facility resources because of their ease of use, efficiency, and precision. From cutting wing spars out of balsa wood to highly intricate etching in leather, lasers are ideal for creative expression.

In addition to the Full Spectrum 120W Glass Tube Laser and Universal VLS 4.60 50W Laser, the Electronics Lab also provides an electronics workbench with soldering irons, a desoldering gun, multimeters, and oscilloscopes. For lab users who want to create their own circuits or use prefab circuit boards such as Arduino, the Electronics Lab also furnishes a circuit board printer and a fully stocked parts cabinet.

Prototyping Lab

The Prototyping Lab gives students, faculty, staff members, and community guests opportunities to take a design from theory to practice in a safe, supportive learning environment. Serving as a multipurpose maker space and digital sketchpad in 2D & 3D, the Prototyping Lab fosters creative and collaborative communication of ideas through established and experimental pedagogies, tools, and processes.

The Prototyping Lab houses multiple stereolithographic and extrusion 3D printers, vinyl cutters and printers, large-format digital color printing, 3D scanning, and Adobe Creative Cloud-integrated computer stations.

Fabrication Lab

Interested in post-processing or adding the finishing touches to a project, prototype, or piece of art? Perhaps you just want to get down to business and work with your hands? The Fabrication Labs offer a traditional workshop with hand tools, hand-held power tools, a table saw, bandsaw, sanders, planer, miter, drill press, vacuum former, and paint spray booth. Additionally, the Fabrication Labs are outfitted with fully integrated, high-performance compressed air and dust collection systems. All lab users are trained to safely access the lab and encouraged to learn new and traditional ways of hand-assembling and finishing their creations for presentation.

CNC Lab

Whether it’s laser-cut maquettes or 3D-printed designs, the CNC is where many real-world prototypes reach their final form. As an extension of the Fabrication Lab, the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Lab focuses on digital manufacturing and the complex routing of wood, plastic, copper, brass, and aluminum.

The ShopSabre 48×96 inch table router can operate on plywood sheets and other types of metal or plastic and is equipped with a vacuum hold-down system that eliminates the need for clamping materials to the table.

Each lab in the Audiovisual Suite can accommodate multiple individuals and can interconnect for collaborative, multifunction use. Whether used individually or as a full AV suite, these labs provide a platform for creating digital content, showcasing innovation, and fostering research.

Lab resources include:
Multiple 5.1 Listening and 4k Viewing Systems
Acoustically Treated Recording and Listening Spaces
Powerful iMac Workstations
Analog and Digital Recording Equipment
Audio Production, Engineering, Mixing, and Mastering Equipment
Sound and Lighting Consoles
Audio Testing and Restoration Tools
Midi-Keyboards/Controllers
Audiovisual Production Software, AVID Pro Tools, Reaper, Adobe Creative Cloud

Music Production Lab

Room 105 accommodates music production with industry-standard tools and software.

Recording Studio

Room 106 is a full-featured recording studio with industry-standard microphones, outboard equipment, tools, and software.

Video Production Lab

Room 109 is equipped with additional digital displays to support video production.

Podcasting Lab

Room 110 is outfitted with boom microphones for simultaneous voice recording for podcasting and interviews.

Live Control Room

Room 107 doubles as an additional learning studio and the live sound and theater lighting control room for the Fernald Adaptive Presentation and Performance Environment.

Audiovisual Classroom

Room 108 features a group listening and viewing space with a dedicated digital monitor and speakers. It comfortably supports fifteen around its central conference table and can serve as a classroom, presentation room, or meeting room for AV-oriented organizations, clubs, and research groups.

The Fernald Adaptive Presentation & Performance Environment

The Allen 54′ and Sally 55′ Fernald Adaptive Presentation & Performance Environment (room 104) is a modular space that can be utilized in its full volume (125 persons) or partitioned into smaller production, experimentation, and presentation areas.

  • Movable walls, curtains, scrims, and windows
  • Adjustable sound and lighting devices
  • Folding chairs: 60 padded and 50 unpadded
  • 20′ reverse projection screen
  • 2K digital projector
  • JBL loudspeakers / subwoofers
  • Sennheiser wireless microphones
  • Crestron audiovisual infrastructure

Immersive Audiovisual Environment

With a working capacity for up to 25 persons, the room 103 Immersive Audiovisual Environment supports 360-degree audiovisual projects, installations, exhibitions, research, and presentations.

  • Four NEC 4K projectors
  • Mackie Pro-Studio speakers blended for quadrophonic audio
  • Focusrite Scarlet 18i20 audio interface
  • Two Audio-Technica PRO 45 ProPoint cardioid condenser hanging microphones

Information Technology Classroom

Room 112 is comfortable for up to 25 persons, the Information Technology Classroom supports flexible and collaborative learning.

  • Four round tables with built-in outlets
  • Four smart tv monitors with Chromecast access
  • Large-format projector, screen, and speakers
  • Whiteboard-treated walls on all sides
  • Extron control panel and audiovisual system

Computer Lab Classroom

Room 113 is outfitted with 23 workstations, the Computer Lab Classroom provides students, faculty, and guests with technology resources.

  • Adobe Creative Cloud
  • Apple Final Cut
  • Fusion 360
  • Solidworks
  • Large-format projector, screen, and speakers
  • Extron control panel and audiovisual system

Seminar and Videoconference Room

The Seminar and Videoconference Room (room 122) can comfortably accommodate up to 15 persons and is designed to support staff and faculty meetings, project working groups and focus groups, student clubs, film screenings, video conferences, and webinar development.

  • 70″ high-resolution display panel
  • Built-in tabletop HDMI and electrical outlet ports
  • Region-free DVD and Blu-ray player
  • MacMini computer
  • Wall-mounted PTZ camera
  • Wireless microphones
  • Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, GoToMeeting, Skype, and Face Time compatible

Kitchenette

Open to the Stewart Commons Atrium common area, the Kitchenette can be made available to complement event reservations.

  • Refrigerator, sink, and microwave
  • On-demand hot water dispenser
  • Modular stainless steel countertop with barstool seating
  • High-top and cafe-style seating

Hosting a gathering?

Navigating parking, safety, catering, and other guest needs can be overwhelming. Events and Hospitality can help you with your reservation!

To ensure your event is supported by all applicable university services, all groups hosting an event at BLUE are responsible for registering with the appropriate authority. Contact um.getinvolved@maine.edu with any questions regarding on-campus event policy.

On-Campus Groups: 
UMaine Event Registration Form

Off-Campus Groups: 
UMaine Events & Hospitality Form

Registration Form Terms: The organization accepts full responsibility for its event and will ensure that all applicable federal, state, county, city, and University of Maine laws and policies, as well as organization policies, are observed and/or enforced. The organization understands that they are required to monitor the behavior of all individuals in attendance during the event and to appropriately deal with issues promptly. The organization understands that failure to abide by all terms of this agreement and all University policies/State laws and regulations may result in disciplinary action and/or monetary fees.