ORONO (AP) – Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor plans to take over operations at the University of Maine’s Cutler Health Center in January.

The two sides announced the privatization agreement this week. Cutler Health Center on the Orono campus will join EMMC Orono Family Medicine, one of six primary care practices managed by the hospital through its nonprofit Norumbega Medical Specialists affiliate.

UMaine Dean of Students Robert Dana says the move will increase student access to the campus health center.

The new arrangement is also expected to save the university budget about $1.4 million a year.