LEWISTON – The University of Maine System will hold a public forum Thursday to give area residents a chance to share their opinions about a proposed restructuring.

The forum will be held at Lewiston-Auburn college from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Chancellor Joseph Westphal’s proposed reorganization calls for merging universities in Fort Kent, Machias and Presque Isle. The University of Maine at Farmington would strengthen its liberal arts niche and get a new name. The University of Southern Maine would take over the University of Maine at Augusta, meaning USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College and the University of Maine at Augusta, which share a Lewiston campus, would merge. The new USM would not grant associate’s degrees.

Nine public forums have been held this fall. Because none had been offered in the Lewiston-Auburn area, Westphal agreed to add a meeting this week.

Officials from the University of Maine System, Lewiston-Auburn College and the University of Maine at Augusta will be in attendance Thursday.

Residents may also comment on the reorganization plan by sending an e-mail to [email protected] or writing Elsa Nunez, vice chancellor for academic and student affairs, 107 Maine Ave., Bangor, ME 04401

The formal public comment period ends June 30.