Constitution and Statutes

Article X, Section 9

Constitution of Montana

Board of Education.

There is a state board of education composed of the board of regents of higher education and the board of public education. It is responsible for long-range planning, and for coordinating and evaluating policies and programs for the state's educational systems. It shall submit unified budget requests. A tie vote at any meeting may be broken by the governor, who is an ex-officio member of each component board.

Board of Regents.

(2)(a) The government and control of the Montana University System is vested in a board of regents of higher education which shall have full power, responsibility, and authority to supervise, coordinate, manage and control the Montana University System and shall supervise and coordinate other public educational institutions assigned by law.

The board consists of seven members appointed by the governor, and confirmed by the senate, to overlapping terms, as provided by law. The governor and superintendent of public instruction are ex-officio non-voting members of the board.

The board shall appoint a commissioner of higher education and prescribe his term and duties.

The funds and appropriations under the control of the board of regents are subject to the same audit provisions as are all other state funds.

Board of Public Education.

(3)(a) There is a board of public education to exercise general supervision over the public school system and such other public educational institutions as may be assigned by law. Other duties of the board shall be provided by law.

The board consists of seven members appointed by the governor, and confirmed by the senate, to overlapping terms as provided by law. The governor, commissioner of higher education, and state superintendent of public instruction shall be ex-officio non-voting members of the board.

 

Montana Code Annotated
University System

Part 2, University Units

20-25-201. Units constituting university system. The Montana University System is composed of the following units, each designated by its legal name:

(1) The University of Montana, with campuses at the following locations:

(a) Missoula;

(b) Butte;

(c) Dillon; and

(d) Helena

(2) Montana State University, with campuses located at the following locations:

(a) Bozeman;

(b) Billings;

(c) Havre; and

(d) Great Falls

Part 3, Administration of University System

20-25-301. Regents' powers and duties. The board of regents of higher education shall serve as regents of the Montana University System, shall use and adopt this style in all its dealings with university system, and :

(1) must have general control and supervision of the units of the Montana University System, which is considered for all purposes one university;

(2) shall adopt rules for its own government that are consistent with the constitution and the laws of the state and that are proper and necessary for the execution of the powers and duties conferred upon it by law;

(3) shall provide, subject to the laws of the state, rules for the government of the system;

(4) shall grant diplomas and degrees to the graduates of the system upon the recommendation of the faculties and have discretion to confer honorary degrees upon persons other than graduates upon the recommendation of the faculty of the institutions;

(5) shall keep a record of its proceedings;

(6) must have, when not otherwise provided by law, control of all books, records, buildings, grounds, and other property of the system;

(7) must receive from the board of land commissioners, from other boards or persons, or from the government of the United States all funds, incomes, and other property the system may be entitled to and use and appropriate the property for the specific purpose of the grant or donation;

(8) must have general control of all receipts and disbursements of the system;

(9) shall appoint a president or chancellor and faculty for each of the institutions of the system, appoint any other necessary officers, agents, and employees, and fix their compensation;

(10) shall confer upon the executive board of each of the units of the system authority that may be considered expedient relating to immediate control and management, other than authority relating to financial matters or the selection of the teachers, employees, and faculty;

(11) shall confer, at the regents' discretion, upon the president and faculty of each of the units of the system for the best interest of the unit authority relating to the immediate control and management, other than financial, and the selection of teachers and employees;

(12) shall prevent unnecessary duplication of courses at the units of the system;

(13) shall appoint a certified professional geologist or registered mining engineer as the director of the Montana State Bureau of Mines and Geology, who is the state geologist, and appoint any other necessary assistants and employees and fix their compensation.

(14) Shall supervise and control the agricultural experiment station, along with any executive or subordinate board or authority that may be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the regents;

(15) Shall adopt a seal bearing on its face the words "Montana University System", which must be affixed to all diplomas and all other papers, instruments, or documents that may require it;

(16) Shall ensure an adequate level of security for data and information technology resources, as defined in 2-15-102 , within the state university system. In carrying out this responsibility, the board of regents shall, at a minimum, address the responsibilities prescribed in 2-15-114.

(17) Shall offer courses in vocational-technical education of a type and in a manner considered necessary or practical by the regents.