The University of Maine System’s Board of Trustees voted this week to remove former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell’s name from a building and a scholarship fund due to his associations with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The decision came during a board meeting on Monday, where the measure passed 9-5 with one abstention.

The removal affects the Senator George J. Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions located on the University of Maine’s main campus in Orono, as well as the George J. Mitchell Peace Scholarship, which supports a year of postgraduate study at universities in Ireland and Northern Ireland. The vote reflects growing concern over Mitchell’s connections to Epstein following the release of Department of Justice documents earlier this year.

Mitchell, 93, appears over 300 times in the recently disclosed files related to the Epstein investigation. Notably, records indicate that as late as 2013—five years after Epstein’s 2008 plea deal for solicitation of prostitution charges, including one involving a minor—the former senator had scheduled meetings with Epstein.

The 2008 plea deal had allowed Epstein to avoid federal charges despite serious allegations, drawing widespread scrutiny. Additionally, in December 2018, Epstein referred to Mitchell as “a very close friend when Senate majority leader” in a text message exchanged with Steve Bannon, a former strategist for President Donald Trump’s administration.

Advocates for removing the name argue that maintaining Mitchell’s association with the university and scholarship fund is inappropriate given his interactions with Epstein, a figure convicted of serious crimes involving minors. However, supporters of Mitchell have emphasized his notable public service career and his role in peace and environmental initiatives, urging a measured response.

The University of Maine System’s decision marks a significant step in addressing institutional ties to individuals connected with Epstein amid ongoing efforts nationwide to reexamine such relationships. The board has not announced immediate plans to rename the building or scholarship fund, but the vote signals a clear intent to dissociate from Mitchell’s name in these contexts.