Board of Regents Meeting
September 19-20, 2002
Montana Tech of The University of Montana
Butte, Montana

Montana State University-Billings

Chancellor Ronald P. Sexton, Ph.D.

  • Ms. Monica Powers appointed Director of Student Opportunity Services.
  • Mr. Curt Kochner, appointed Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
  • MSU-B, Global thermoelectric, Inc., and MDU has entered into a two-year fuel cell evaluation agreement.
  • The new MSU-Billings Child Care and Enrichment Center will open Fall semester, 2002.
  • The majority of the remodeling of the Liberal Arts Building is nearing completion and most areas are open for Fall semester, 2002.
  • MSU-Billings sponsored "MSU-Billings for a Day" at the Montana Fair on August 15th.
  • MSU-Billings was the site for the 2002 Summer Fair, an arts and crafts fair sponsored by the Yellowstone Art Museum (attracted approximately 10,000 visitors to campus).
  • New Student Summer Orientation programs were offered on a personalized basis throughout the summer. Evaluations noted, very positive responses from students and parents.
  • Campus Police and Safety received a new patrol car and have it in service. 
  • Information Technology installed 100+ new computers in classrooms.
  • Susan Dickson worked with Staff Development Task Force to set up Bag Lunch Seminars for employees once a month during AY 2003.  
  • Colonel (Dr.) Joe Michels, currently Dean of the School of Systems and Logistics at the Air Force Institute of Technology has been appointed.
  • A daylong series of round-tables, an open house and reception, was held at the College of Technology on August 15, 2002, over 250 Billings community and business leaders participated.  
  • Presenting at the 83rd annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in June, 2002, were:
  • 1.      Professor Tasneem Khaleel, Chair of the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences: "Karyomorphology of Tulipa";
  • 2.      Tasneem Khaleel, Johnna Hedman (MSU-B Student), Laura Madden (MSU-B Student) and Amber Osborne (MSU-B Student): "Seasonal Effects of Water Quality in Yellowstone River Basin on Root Growth and Mitotic Index in Allium cepa", and
  • 3.      Stan Wiatr, Professor, Biology: "Aquatic macrophytes of Bighorn River."
  • Dr. Daniel Zirker, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Political Science, presented papers at two conferences in Europe. The first in Bucharest June 28-30, "Globalization of Civil-Military Relations: Democratization, Reform and Security," and the second, "Ethnic Identities and Human Security: Identity Expression in the Post-Cold War World," Xanthi, Greece, July 6-9. Dr. Zirker presented to the Institute of Sociology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in Sofia on July 5.
  • Dr. Carl Hanson, Department of Health, Physical Education, and Human Services and Dr. Ken Miller, Department of Educational Theory and Practice, presented papers at the College and University Administrative Council in British Columbia. The two presentations were on Advising Online and Electronic Portfolio Data Collection Online
  • Dr. George White, Dean, College of Education and Human Services attended the Board of Public Education meeting in Helena seeking final approval of accreditation of our Teacher Education programs (Board passed unanimously).
  • From July 21 to July 26, the Montana Center on Disabilities conducted its third Montana Youth Leadership Forum (MYLF).
  • The Montana Center on Disabilities initiated the Hall of Fame of Leaders with Disabilities. Inductees were: Lifetime Achievement - Francis Bardanouve, Harlem; Leader of the Year - Mike Mayer, Missoula; and Emerging Leader - Elisabeth Mills, Billings.
  • Marsha Sampson and Debra Miller, Montana Center on Disabilities, participated in the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development (CSPD) Strategic Planning Meeting on July 30-31. A main focus was how to meet the requirements for paraeducators as part of the No Child Left Behind Act.
  • Linda Henry, Montana Center on Disabilities, attended the Annual Steering Committee Meeting of the Rocky Mountain Disability & Business Technical Assistance Center, included training sessions - Distance Learning at Post-Secondary Institutions, Document Accessibility, Macromedia Tools & Accessibility, and ADA & Architectural Issues. 

Dawson Community College

President Terry Hetrick

  • In July, the Board of Trustees accepted the findings and recommendations of the Facilities Expansion Committee to expand the existing library to include the student support services division, and to construct a gymnasium/athletic center and performing arts center. At present, a new committee comprised of college staff and community members is being formed to develop and implement a media campaign for the bond issue election to be voted upon in early November. In order to construct these new facilities, approximately one-third of the total cost will be borne by the college and two-thirds by the bond issue election.
  • On August 22, the DCC faculty returned to campus to join the staff for two days of committee work for the upcoming comprehensive Northwest accreditation self-study process. DCC is slated for an on-campus visitation in April of 2004.
  • During the course of the summer, DCC hired several new replacement personnel, including Dr. C.J. Law, Dean of Instructional Services; Matt Hauk, Agriculture and Science Tutor; and Tina Nistler, Recruiting and Publicity Officer. In addition, two positions will be filled shortly: Executive Assistant/Secretary to the President and Student Living Complex Director.
  • The DCC administration is finalizing adjustments to the institutions budget for 2002-2003 to include the additional reductions in state appropriations resulting from the special legislative session. These changes will be submitted to the DCC Board of Trustees on Monday, August 26th for its approval. 
  • On Monday, August 19th, DCC officials were on hand to participate in the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the DCC Recreational Complex. This new complex will consist of an intercollegiate men's baseball field, an intercollegiate women's fast pitch softball field, an ice skating rink and sledding hill for the greater Glendive community. Funds for this complex were provided by a grant from the Division of Wildlife, Parks, and Recreation, and by a private benefactor.

Great Falls College of Technology

Dean Mary Sheehy Moe

  • In Fall 1999, MSU-Great Falls Campus opened its doors as a multi-institution, partnership-rich campus in newly renovated facilities. Joining MSU-Great Falls College of Technology, MSU-Northern and MSU-Bozeman brought academic programs and services to the campus, creating a "one-stop shop" for public higher education opportunities in the Great Falls Area. 
  • Three years later, demand for the Campus's programs and services has exceeded the space available to supply them. To address the problem, the partners on Campus are sharing data, discussing implications, and working on short-term and long-term solutions. Among the data presented this summer at a forum on this issue are the following: 
  • Enrollments for all three institutions have increased significantly--most significantly for the College of Technology, where headcount in Spring 2002 was 23% higher than it was in Fall 1999. 
  • Faculty levels have increased. At the College of Technology, the number of full-time faculty has increased 15%; the number of part-time faculty has increased 57%.
  • The Campus has 39 classrooms, only 16 of which are designed for multiple use by standard class sizes. In Fall 2002, the College of Technology will offer 311 courses on campus. MSU-Northern and the College of Nursing also add significantly to that number.
  • To stretch the use of the facility, the Campus offers classes from 8 a.m. 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and is often in use on weekends as well. During Spring Semester, the most difficult time to find an empty classroom is 5:30 p.m. 
  • Despite efforts to stretch the academic week and to offer on-line alternatives to on-campus requirements, the College of Technology has begun to turn students away due to facilities limitations. Two weeks before the Fall Term started, the College's enrollment levels were 30% higher than they had been the previous year. One week before, 23% of the College's scheduled classes were full and an additional 20% had fewer than five seats left. Staff in registration sessions reported that many students were unable to get the classes they needed to carry a full load and some students left without registering. 
  • Other news: In August, the Montana Board of Nursing commended the College of Technology's Practical Nursing program "for its excellent NCLEX pass rates and strong faculty." Students graduate from the program and take their licensure examinations twice a year. Since 1994, with the exception of one semester, 100% of the College's nursing graduates have passed the licensure exam.Montana State

University-Northern

Chancellor Alex Capdeville

  • Enrollment -- Summer school enrollment was 1FTE above last year. Which was good in light of the fact that we saw an increase of 70 FTE during summer session of 2001. We are excited to have kept that number.
  • MSU-Northern Students keep U.S. Navy Afloat- This spring, Fairbanks-Morse, a major manufacturer of diesel engines for the Navy, contacted MSU-Northern in Havre seeking a crew of students from a variety of technology fields, primarily diesel technology, to work on a project the company has repairing and rebuilding the diesel engines manufactured by Fairbanks-Morse aboard several Navy vessels. Six MSU-Northern students responded to the request. Those six students are; Dave Albright from Sidney, Cole Lowder from Ennis, Kirkley Butler from Big Sandy, Scott Bryson from Saco, and Chad Finneman and Ron Haley from Havre. Ed Cirucci, Fairbanks-Morse Manager Eastern Region, stated that MSU-Northern is the only school the company recruited from for this project. 
  • Greg Jergeson, Director of Grants and Sponsored Research at MSU-Northern, paid a site visit to Norfolk to get an assessment of the educational experience of the project. The students' supervisors gave the group high marks for their performance. "We have not been disappointed," said Cirucci. When the students arrived at the worksite, the project was three weeks behind schedule. Within a week of their arrival, the project was back on schedule and is now ahead of schedule.
  • Nursing (RAINBOW) Grant - The Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a $420,040 grant to fund the College of Nursing's Rural and American Indian Nursing: Building our Workforce (RAINBOW) project.
  • The RAINBOW Project addresses the critical nursing shortages on the Reservations and the need for nursing graduates to possess rural and cultural competencies to work in health care facilities across Montana's Northern tier. The project is a way to increase access to nursing education and the numbers of culturally competent and well qualified RNs to serve the project's target area. This project focuses on recruitment and retention, expanding the number of students in MSU-Northern's ASN & BSN programs and increasing the number of minority students graduating from the nursing program.
  • Orientation - The week of August 26 was MSU-Northern's annual fall orientation for faculty and staff. This is a time to introduce new employees to campus colleagues and give a general "State of the University" address. Service awards are given for 5-10-,15- etc years of service. This year there were four people who received 25-year awards.
  • Showcase Grant - Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) has awarded a $2,140 grant to the MSU-Northern Showcase. The grant gives MSU Northern Showcase the opportunity to present entertainment conducive to a wide variety of age levels.
  • Pheasant Jamboree N.F.L. Legends are coming to Havre! MSU-Northern and the Havre community will be hosting 25-30 former N.F.L. football players in the second annual Legends for Lights Pheasant Jamboree, October 12-15. Former N.F.L. stars such as George Kunz, Don & Deron Talbert, Wally Hilgenberg, Bob Berry, Mike Donohoe, Bill Kilmer, Tom Nobis and of course our own Mike Tilleman are a few that have already confirmed. The event kicks off with the MSU-Northern Homecoming Football game on Saturday Oct 12. The activities include trap shooting and pheasant hunting. We have many local and area merchants sponsoring teams for the event as well as corporate sponsors.
  • Bus Tour - MSU-Northern is currently planning a faculty tour to high schools in northeastern Montana. The tour will include stops in Plentywood, Scobey, Wolf Point, Glasgow, Malta. Faculty will be speaking to students and Alex Capdeville and Jim Potter will meet with Superintendents, H.S. Principles and H.S. Guidance Counselors to discuss ways that Northern can better meet the educational needs of students and faculty in these communities.
  • Alumni Auction The Northern Alumni Association will hold it's Annual Scholarship Social and Auction on Saturday, September 28th at 6:30 p.m. in the Donaldson Commons. Everyone is invited to attend.
  • Rewiring of Dorm - MSU-Northern has implemented a new flexible, and resource-effective combination of technologies called RESNET. This technology has allowed us to rewire MacKenzie Hall with high-speed Internet connection, Cable TV and private phone in each room. Students in this dorm will now have the fastest connection to the Internet available in the region.
  • Grant Writing Workshop - Montana State University-Northern hosted a "Fundamentals of Grant Writing" workshop, August 19th & 20th. Over 35 individuals from North Central Montana attended the workshop, funded by matching sponsorships from Northern's Chancellor Leadership Fund and Bear Paw Development Corporation. It was, most notably, a collaborative effort between institutions of higher education within the Montana University System. Workshop presenters included: Judy Fredenberg, Exec Asst to VP of Research and Dir. of Federal Relations of UM-Missoula; Bob Pfister, Asst Dir. of Grants & Contracts from MSU-Bozeman; C.A. Carey, Dir. of Grants Development at MSU-Billings; and Melody Bentz, Grants Development Specialist for MSU-Northern, presenter and organizer of the workshop.
  • Participants learned about the grant process and were educated about political protocol in working with Montana's legislative offices to secure federal appropriations money. Kim Falcon, Field Representative for Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) provided invaluable information about how the appropriations process works, what funding issues are currently in the forefront, and much more. Jackie Shinn, Grants Coordinator for Senator Burns (R-MT), provided participants with written funding guidelines and grant tips that would help them to successfully garner future external funding. Presenters will utilize participant feedback to make the workshop more user-friendly and effective and plan to take the "show on the road" to other locations in Montana.

Montana Tech of The University of Montana

Chancellor Frank Gilmore

  • Computer Science has been reaccredited by ABET
  • With federal seed money, Tech established the Economic Resource Center with Associate Professor Robert DeDominic heading the effort to help boost regional economic development. Kim Robinson was hired as Deputy Director.
  • Geological Engineering Senior Nate Majerus was one of ten students chosen nationwide to receive a scholarship from NSSGA (world's largest construction material association) for the 2002-03 AY.
  • The Montana Tech NewMedia Group is engaged with Montana Special Olympics to: 1) Develop Credit Card CD-ROMs for Organizational Efforts and Fundraising, and 2) Develop a Web-Based Extranet for the State Volunteers and Coaches. The NewMedia Group has completed its first full year of Web-Based Portal Management for On-Line Learning. Montana Tech manages the only On-Line Learning Portal in the state. This fall, Montana Tech is offering its first full Degree Program within this portal environment with the Masters in Industrial Hygiene.
  • The Montana Tech Mine Waste Technology Program is working with the USFS on the Closure of the Mineral Hill Mine in Jardine, MT. This mine, which is just north of Yellowstone National Park, has sensitive closure and habitat issues.
  • Five new research projects were awarded to Montana Tech Researchers via the Mine Waste Technology Program. These include: Organic Matter Degradation in a Sulfate Reducing Wetlands to Dr. Bill Drury; Heavy and Toxic Metal Remediation Using Reductive Precipitation to Dr. Larry Twidwell; Subaqueous Oxidation of Pyrite and Stable Isotope Geochemistry of an Acidic Pit Lake to Dr. Chris Gammons; The Effects of Plant Species and Rodents on the Sequestration and/or Movement of Mercury from Reclaimed Sites to Dr. Tom Waring; and Field Monitoring and Evaluation of Reclamation Strategies in the Helena National Forest to Dr. Richard McNearny.
  • The Mine Waste Technology Program at Montana Tech was awarded $600,000 in FY 2002 for research, graduate studies, outreach NewMedia Based Technology Transfer, and a Minority Initiative providing outreach for people affected by Mining Impacted Native American Lands.
  • Montana Tech Continuing Education began its summer class schedule on the Crow Nation. Hydrogeology, Experimental Design, Water Resources, and Innovative Technologies I - Mining were taught over a four-week period by Drs. Willis Weight, Cathy Raven, and Karl Burgher.
  • Dr. Karl Burgher was a Plenary Session Chair at the EPA's Hard Rock Mining 2002 held in Denver in May. Over 300 attended this very successful EPA sponsored event.
  • Dr. Mary MacLaughlin, Geological Engineering, received a $16,000 grant from the USGS EDMAP Program with co-PI, Dr. Larry Smith of the MBMG, entitled "Geologic Mapping and Gravity/Magnetic Studies of the Columbia Mountain Area, Northwest Montana, with Emphasis on Geologic Structure, Slope Stability, and Earthquake Hazards" that will support two graduate and three undergraduate students (Geological and Geophysical Engineering). Dr. MacLaughlin also attended the North American Rock Mechanics Symposium in Toronto in July as a panelist and presented a paper.
  • The Outreach Office hosted a GEAR UP summer academic and cultural enrichment program for students from reservation communities that consisted of field and classroom activities in the geosciences and associated areas of physical geology, hydrogeology, biology, and environmental studies.
  • The Upward Bound program for low income, first generation high school students held its 8th annual academy this summer which included an educational field trip to Washington, DC.
  • Dr. Rick Douglass received notification that the Center for Disease Control awarded $160,000 to Tech for Continued Longitudinal studies of the ecology of deer mice and hantavirus infection.

The University of Montana-Missoula

President George Dennison

  • "Sun River Homestead," a documentary by UM alumna Maggie Carey produced by KUFM-TV, won the Northwest Regional Emmy Awards Cultural/Historical Documentary category. The documentary traces the lives of three sisters who came to Montana in the early 1900s to homestead in the Sun River Valley. Edited by BMC producer John Twiggs, the program featured videography by Ray Ekness of UM-M Department of Radio-Television.
  • Gus Chambers, Ray Ekness, William Marcus, and John Twiggs produced "Backroads of Montana," which won the Montana Broadcasters Association E.B. Craney Award for Non-Commercial Television Program of the Year for the second year in a row. 
  • Producer Gus Chambers won the Montana Broadcasters Association E.B. Craney Award for Television Public Service Announcement of the Year for his PSA for The University of Montana and its response to the tragedy of September 11th.
  • Montana Public Radio news producers Sally Mauk and Edward O'Brien won a first-place award for their 9-11 coverage from the Pacific Northwest Excellence in Journalism competition presented by the Society of Professional Journalists. Mauk also won a second-place award for Feature News Reporting for an interview with Billy Mills, and a third-place award in Investigative Reporting for her story on Academic Freedom.
  • On 5 August 2002, the University awarded a seven-year exclusive beverage partnership to Coca Cola. The contract applies to three of the UM campuses--Missoula, Helena, and Butte--and encompasses Coke's full product line of vended soda, fountain syrups, juices, isotonic drinks, bottled water, and other specialty beverages.

The University of Montana Western

Chancellor Steve Hulbert

  • Experience One. A year ago UM-Western received a three-year grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Post Secondary Education (FIPSE). With planning and student recruitment complete, the first seventy-five student cohort started classes on August 26th. This unique alternative academic scheduling initiative calls for these freshmen to take general education courses one at a time for an eighteen-day period for each course. Participants will complete sixteen credits each semester and fulfill the general education requirements in one year.
  • Named Experience One, this scheduling initiative seeks to reflect Western's experiential based mission statement. As Western is the first public college or university nationwide to experiment with this alternative scheduling format, the program is gaining national attention. The most recent such coverage was found in the August issue of Geological Society of America Today. Experience One also will be the focus of a symposium at the group's 2003 Annual Meeting. 
  • Approval of Education Program. In its July meeting the Montana Board of Education approved with commendation all seventeen of Western's Education Program endorsement areas including that of Computer Science which is the only such approved program in the State. Western awaits action by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) at the latter group's national meeting in October. 
  • A Story all Too Often Told. Over the past year the Montana Standard has followed the life of first year teacher, Nick Hamm. In the "ABC's of Teaching" the Standard explored teaching and educational issues through the eyes of this sixth grade math and science teacher. Hamm graduated from Western in May 2001. The series was completed on August 19th as the Standard chronicled Hamm's resignation and move to Olympia, WA where he had accepted an elementary teaching and coaching position that increased his Butte salary of $20,801 by almost $15,000. 
  • Upward Bound 2002. Thirty-three high school students have completed Western's June 2002 Math/Science Upward Bound Program. This program works to acquaint financially and educationally disadvantaged students with the opportunities of post secondary education and has as its primary goal enhancing access to higher education. Western's program is a residential six-week classroom program. The research projects undertaken by the students this year included studies of Ethnobotany, Pygmy Rabbits, Moose Browsing and Stream Conditions.

Miles Community College

President Darrel L. Hammon

  • MCC's Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Miles Community College received special commendation during the Grater Northwest Regional Convention. Our chapter fulfilled all requirements to the distinction of being named a "1 Star Chapter." This commendation recognizes our chapter's successful attainment of goals as presented in the Society's Five Start Chapter Development Program. Bette Jewell and Delores Cameron, MCC instructors, are the faculty advisors.
  • Wayne Muri, business manager, was named the "Silver and Blue" Employee of the Semester at the opening session on August 29. Wayne looks forward to his retirement at the end of September. Ron Dorn has been hired to take his place.
  • Carol M. Hofeldt, Health Information instructor, successfully completed a one-year course of study in Health Information Technology through The Independent Study Program offered by the American Health Information Management Association.
  • We have a few famous people on campus. From faculty and staff, Vicky Croffutt and Melody Haynes won goal and silver medals at the recent Big Sky games in Billings. Vicky used her tenacious shooting skills to win a gold in women's trap shooting (Beginner's Division). Melody Haynes sliced through the water to garner two golds and a silver in the swimming events. Vicki Strobel, a new student this fall, won a gold for her tennis prowess in the singles category for 18 years old and under. She and her doubles partner Larisa Arnold, also a new student this fall, won a bronze for in the doubles section.
  • Nancy Swope and Don Warner both spent an intensive two weeks at the Cisco Training Academy. While others struggled through the testing, both Nancy and Don breezed through the exams and passed on the first try.
  • Darrel L. Hammon, President, was elected Chair of the Mountain States Association of Community Colleges, an eight-state organization for community college presidents. Dawson Community College, Flathead Valley Community College, and Miles Community College are members of the Mountain States. Montana will be hosting the Summer Conference. We may be asking members of the Board of Regents to do a workshop on "Communities Colleges and the Board of Regents."
  • Donna Faber, MCC faculty member, is currently displaying her artwork and photography at MCC.
  • Fall art exhibits for fall from the Montana Historical Society: "Pay Dirt; The Mining Camp Art of Muriel Sibell Wolle" will be displayed from September 9 through October 21; "Hope in Hard Times" and is photography of Montana during the Depression years, displayed from December 1 through January 21, 2003.
  • Senator Baucus was on campus recently to visit with the VA Task Force and the Center for Technology and Learning. Senator Baucus was instrumental in obtaining the $100,000 appropriations to the VA Project that played a key role in bringing Shelly Weight on board and the Center for Technology and Learning to fruition this year.