MUS UPDATE
Biweekly Update to
The Montana Board of Regents
May 12, 2008
- On May 7, Governor Schweitzer announced the appointment of Mitch Jessen as the new student regent. Mitch, currently a student at The University of Montana Western, will officially begin his term as student regent on July 1, 2008.
- The Board of Public Education’s Distance Learning Task Force unanimously recommended a significant new avenue for licensure for dual-credit instructors. On May 9th, the Task Force submitted the proposal to the Board of Education. The Board will post notice of the new rule recommendation for public input at their July meeting, and likely hold a public hearing in August.
- A portion of the MUS employee health benefit expenditures go toward wellness programs at the system office and each campus. With the recent re-enrollment for the upcoming benefit year, beginning July 1, wellness programs are also gearing up for the new year. Premiums for the upcoming year are scheduled to decrease slightly.
As with all medical plans, pharmacy costs continue to rise almost uncontrollably. Paul Bogumill, MUS Director of Benefits, is studying other “models” to exert controls on these escalating costs. He is coordinating a work group, which includes the UM Pharmacy School, Student Health Plan medical directors, and MUS Benefits committee members.
- The University of Montana held a groundbreaking ceremony Friday, May 2, for a new education center to be built entirely with private funds. The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation pledged $10 million to build the Phyllis J. Washington Education Center.
- President Bush signed into law the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 (H.R. 5715). The bill makes significant changes to federal student aid programs, including several that seek to provide liquidity in the federal student loan market.
- Deputy Commissioner for Two-year Education Update: After receiving three semi-finalist recommendations from the search advisory committee, the Commissioner has selected a finalist. Dr. Mary Sheehy Moe will interview on May 15. OCHE’s new search process for executive positions will only publically announce the top finalist. Upon interviewing the top finalist, the Commissioner will decide either to hire the finalist or opt to interview an alternative candidate.
- Deputy Commissioner for Academic & Student Affairs Update: The search committee recommended two semi-finalists to Commissioner. A top finalist is anticipated to be selected in the near future, with an interview schedule disseminated at that time.
