Proposed Revision to 277 - Merger; Montana University System, Montana Vocational-Technical System
REPEAL ENTIRE POLICY
Statutory Provisions:
Under
the Constitution, the governance and control of the Montana University System
is vested in the Board of Regents of Higher Education which has full power,
responsibility, and authority to supervise, coordinate, manage and control the
Montana University System. Further, the
Board of Regents has authority to supervise and coordinate other public
educational institutions assigned by law.
Board Policy:
Specific
cooperative agreements and/or consolidations/mergers as might be forged where
feasible between the vocational-technical centers and/or appropriate
university units should be developed to enhance educational programs and to
gain economies and efficiencies in providing services common to those specific
institutions. Relationships between
institutions which are affiliative in nature are addressed under a
separate policy.
Definitions:
1. Merger is the fusion
or absorption of one institution into another with the result that the merged
institution ceases to have an independent existence. A merged institution may retain, at the discretion of the
Regents, certain elements of the unique role and mission which characterized it
prior to merger.
2. Administrative merger in higher education means the sharing of a president and
other administrative personnel between two institutions. The integrity of both merged institutions'
purposes and support functions is maintained.
Considerations:
The
following considerations should guide discussion and action with regard to the
subject of merger of educational institutions:
1. Similarity and/or compatibility of
role, scope, and mission between two institutions;
2. Potential for unification of academic
and student support services (e.g., computer systems, library resources,
placement and financial aid services);
3. Existence of clear indication that one
institution could enhance, strengthen, and/or stabilize the academic programs
and services of another institution;
4. Potential
for greater efficiency in the utilization of financial and human resources
through development of joint financial and records-keeping systems, etc.;
5. Desirability
to broaden public access to higher education through expanded locations at
which an institution's programs may be delivered;
6. Geographic
proximity of the two institutions;
7. Analysis
of impact of merger on:
a. instructional programs
b. student access
c. facilities utilization
d. administrative and other institutional support
services
e. existing staff
f. fiscal matters
g. legal issues
8. Other
considerations which may be deemed appropriate to address.
Procedures:
1. The Board of Regents shall determine
when sufficient reason exists for the formal exploration of merger or administrative merger between institutions and shall, through formal board action,
direct the Commissioner of Higher Education to initiate a study.
2. For
purposes of specifically addressing each of the considerations listed above,
the Commissioner shall appoint a study team comprised of individuals from
each institution, including (but not limited to):
a. the chief executive officer;
b. the chief academic officer;
c. the chief fiscal officer;
d. student services personnel
e. faculty
f. member, Board of Regents (ex officio)
3. The Commissioner shall serve as chairman
of the study team and shall direct its activities. Subcommittees may be established as necessary to address specific
details of the study.
4. The
study team shall develop a merger plan with specific time-lines
identified and shall return the plan to the Board of Regents in a timely
manner.
5. Upon
action by the Board of Regents after consideration of the concluded study, it
shall be the responsibility of the Commissioner to implement the directives of
the Board relative to merger between institutions.
History:
Item 65-001-R1189, Merger, Montana University System, Montana Vocational-Technical System, December 14, 1989.