Informational Only:

That MSU-Bozeman is pursuing Separate Long-Term Leases for Relocation of the Great Falls Campus of the MSU-Bozeman College of Nursing and the Montana Fire Services Training School 

EXPLANATION:  

In 1999, in Great Falls, the MSU-Bozeman College of Nursing moved, along with some programs from MSU Northern, to join the College of Technology and the Fire Services Training School in order to place all MSU educational programs under one roof.  Because of the dramatic growth of enrollments at the MSU- Great Falls College of Technology (1140 - 1360) and MSU Northern (63 - 160) and the modest enrollment increase in Great Falls of the MSU Bozeman nursing program (50 - 58), between 1999 and 2003, it was determined that, even in a one to three year horizon, it would no longer be possible to accommodate all MSU partners with the anticipated continuing enrollment increases and the current space constraints.  It was also determined that, because the College of Nursing and the Fire Services Training School are distinct programs, they could separate from the other programs with a minimum of disruption.

In the winter of 2003, College of Nursing administration, faculty and staff began to survey the Great Falls area for appropriate space to accommodate the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. The College of Nursing is actively pursuing a site at 2519 Thirteenth Avenue South based on the College's requirements that (1) the owner wishes to renovate the space to adapt to the needs of the nursing programs and is requesting at least a ten year lease, (2) the space is within close proximity to Benefis Health Care, the primary clinical site for students, (3) the space is located on a busy street and offers visibility to the College of Nursing, (4) the space is three blocks from MSU-Great Falls where students and faculty will maintain access to library, bookstore, and other services, (5) the space is large enough to house classrooms - one of which will be used for distance education, and (6) the space is located centrally in Great Falls, and easily adaptable for growth and possible faculty practice opportunities.

The Fire Services Training School has been located at Great Falls College of Technology since the construction of the current facility in 1976. During that time, FSTS has not paid rent to the COT. Its current space must be vacated to make way for an expansion of the Library/Learning Center services at the COT, made necessary by rapidly expanding enrollments. Alternate, though less attractive space configurations have been suggested and may, ultimately, be accepted. Movement to another location in the Great Falls area is also being explored. If, suitable space can be found, FSTS would pursue a lease and bring it to the Board for approval. FSTS, MSU Extension and MSU-Bozeman would combine to handle moving and rent costs for FY 04 and FY 05. A request to have rental funds added to the FSTS base budget would be made to the Legislature during its 2005 session.

 

May 2003 Minutes