The American University in Bulgaria was founded in 1990 as the result of a joint effort between the governments of Bulgaria and the United States, and the University of Maine. It is a residential liberal arts institution offering a four-year baccalaureate degree. In September of 1990 Bogdan Atanasov, university professor and member of the newly elected Bulgarian parliament, submitted a bill to the National Assembly proposing the establishment of an American University of Southeastern Europe in Sofia. Eventually Blagoevrad rather than Sofia was chosen as the site for the University. The first task of AUBG was to gain official and legal recognition by the Bulgarian government. Other immediate tasks included conducting negotiations, locating appropriate faculty housing, orienting Americans to the Bulgarian culture, and addressing the problems of living in part of the former Soviet Bloc. Progress was made and classes began on September 30, 1991. As AUBG's academic partner, the University of Maine extended its accreditation to that university until AUBG entered candidacy status with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges in 1998. At this point, the University of Maine's involvement became limited to guaranteed membership on AUBG's ruling Board of Directors. In May of 1999 the University of Maine's responsibilities concerning AUBG shifted from its designation under the Provost for Academic Affairs to the Director of International Programs. The relationship between the two universities continues to evolve as AUBG moves along the road to full accreditation.
From the description of Records 1989 Feb.-1999 Jan. 7. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 53843575
