[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6277034,"mediaKeyId","2658062-498dff6e20fe56879defa2b9c782ed65","parentId",2658062,"title","Board of Regents approves housing repairs, classroom renovations and multiple academic proposals","audioSeconds",292,"startMs",5948000,"endMs",6240000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2658062-498dff6e20fe56879defa2b9c782ed65&start=5948&end=6240","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2658062-498dff6e20fe56879defa2b9c782ed65/thumbnail_5948000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6277034/Montana/Board-of-Regents-approves-housing-repairs-classroom-renovations-and-multiple-academic-proposals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277034-f74f65886040be89649c5c4bf678bffb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770941059&Signature=lD-KWI0nFXGhqNHBprbO57nL2Jl2ZKPDmzuTl582atx7q1we2~nngknPHo6ht7tKt259IKb5XGRl9gcdj~viR3ZWM44S8YT1IquF9O9AlgbPCnhQ7TC6Jmp7rTNOtMTP60qL5Weii-7qU04XCscsQ8b~jQRDPjYhzpRYNnbTtY2S-0WLtwjoxxA8LHP87R5Ylfuh5QSHu9Qze9ZCJHlERL-gXGhQRfZsPkPdJ-eCv1qRa9aRmn1BP7BvqTeErx7D-RUGQekk860ZITd4JbhLyG-IMycwaAN0va2rpwYgwhE-Tws1byl1W7IDW87ex~GOLtMgugbJOb0A1tGku9vQPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Board of Regents","date","2025-03-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Montana Board of Regents voted by voice during its March 2025 meeting to authorize three capital maintenance projects, approve honorary degrees recommended by campuses, and advance multiple academic program and research‑center proposals, board leaders said.

Votes at a glance: Paisley Court student‑apartment exterior repairs (MSU Bozeman) — authorization to spend up to $3,500,000 approved (funded from auxiliary/physical plant funds). Classroom renovations (MSU Bozeman) — authorization to spend up to $2,000,000 approved (previously authorized; reauthorized after authority expired). Jesse Hall corridor and common‑area remodel and elevator generator (University of Montana, Missoula) — authorization to spend up to $2,000,000 approved (funded from housing renewal/replacement auxiliary funds).

The actions were presented by Dan Stevenson (Deputy Commissioner, Facilities Planning) and discussed at the Budget Committee before board action. The board recorded motion and voice votes for each item; there was no roll‑call tally recorded in the public transcript. Chair Dombrowski, Regents and campus leaders described the projects as routine maintenance and life‑safety upgrades.

In academic and student affairs business, the board’s ARSA committee forwarded and the full board approved multiple items by voice vote: campus emeriti appointments and one tenure upon hire on the consent agenda; honorary doctorate recommendations from the University of Montana (Steve Vronella; Eric Sprunk) and Montana State University (Morton Meyerson; Wendy Red Star); and requests to plan two bachelor’s degrees at MSU Bozeman (a B.S. in Optical and Photonics Engineering and a B.S. in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering). The University of Montana also advanced research/engagement centers and an institute through the planning step: Center for Hunting and Conservation (partnered with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation), an institute for positive education (training and teacher supports), a Montana Clinical Translational Research Center and a Montana Public Health Training Center.

Board members confirmed the consent agenda and voted on each action item individually; public comment was noted as not present on those votes. Motion language in the transcript was generally recorded as \"so moved\" and voice votes were recorded as \"aye\" with no named roll‑call in the public minutes.

Regents and campus presenters emphasized that the capital work will be funded from auxiliary or housing renewal funds and that the academic requests to plan are largely supported by external grants or philanthropic gifts; committee members said there is no net new administrative staffing associated with the proposed centers at the University of Montana.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Montana Board of Regents Meeting - March 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its March meeting the Board of Regents authorized three campus capital projects funded from auxiliary or plant funds, approved honorary degrees and advanced several academic program and research‑center plans.","taxTitle","Public Universities, Montana","taxId",79532,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6277039,"Montana university leaders warn federal research pauses, proposed NIH cap and Education Department changes could reduce funding",690,1828000,2518000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2658062-498dff6e20fe56879defa2b9c782ed65&start=1828&end=2518","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2658062-498dff6e20fe56879defa2b9c782ed65/thumbnail_1828000.jpg","/articles/6277039/Montana/Montana-university-leaders-warn-federal-research-pauses-proposed-NIH-cap-and-Education-Department-changes-could-reduce-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277039-f28480d261d2b6b0e7109a27c76f6e27/orig.mp4?Expires=1770941059&Signature=o1qiI1WzzrsrDHnWDND3wz-KT7nTNcoyaxNxRMqXTysICEk6F5hJv8XDfkRcHepEnOKmtYEHkbyuDdWAk0jfsM8AOi0OiaFLmbL-rdhDkTE8EIcjR9Km~gOCzpOGpFmuWcEAnPhrTiLvz4SS8R3puM-3IWURLH709unc5Tu6uj6DW6GOEIZv1vGU71HG3JS5ElzY7Gvjkso9fRf8L1xmEuaaxus2qWfKB9-l5jn5JQHH~IoLBblBIWld0UgBVf1rzg3s7BMOaYb-g9hOzoAZFUQSAuDuF3Y9ow4GtWmAC~nhf5IOTBNEXzOmMutZNP3hmT89YeCY~wrSxM9jGT4V5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Montana University System officials briefed the Board of Regents in March 2025 on a set of federal actions that are disrupting research and student‑aid operations and could reduce future funding for the system.

The developments have immediate and potential consequences: the system reported roughly $17 million in canceled grants and more than a dozen awards on formal stop‑work orders, while a proposed National Institutes of Health rule capping indirect‑cost reimbursements at 15% — though enjoined nationally — would have reduced MSU/UM institutional indirect‑cost revenue by an estimated $3.7 million from NIH awards and by about $28 million if a 15% cap applied across all federal awards, officials said.

\"We will be intensely watching the developments out of Washington, D.C., and the reorganization of the U.S. Department of Education to make sure that we don't see adverse effects related to that reorganization,\" Commissioner Christian told the Regents. The commissioner and deputies described three linked federal issues: a short‑term continuing resolution (CR) in Congress, Department of Education personnel changes and guidance, and a broader set of disruptions to research grants and indirect‑cost recovery.

Deputy officials said the U.S. House had passed a continuing resolution extending government funding to Sept. 30 but removing earmarks; they said the CR is \"clean for education\" but that the Senate had to approve it to avoid a shutdown. Department of Education staffing changes were cited as an unknown in terms of service delivery; system officials said they are monitoring how the department's reduction in force could affect Pell and other federal student programs.

On research funding, Deputy Commissioner (research) described $17 million in canceled grants across the system, the two largest being a $10 million Environmental Protection Agency award to Montana State University for a multi‑state community infrastructure collaborative and a $3.1 million Department of Defense civic‑education grant to the Mansfield Center at the University of Montana. The deputy also said more than a dozen awards carry stop‑work orders and that federal agencies have issued varying guidance to grantees that has created uncertainty on how sanctioned funds may be spent.

Officials also discussed a February NIH announcement that would cap indirect costs at 15%. That policy was enjoined by a nationwide preliminary injunction on Feb. 10 and is paused for now, but system officials said the agency action illustrates the risk: most Montana institutions negotiate indirect‑cost rates in the 40–50% range, and a broad cap would reduce institutional capacity to maintain research infrastructure, staff and facilities.

Financial aid changes were also on the agenda. Officials said the new FAFSA system is operating more smoothly than last year and that FAFSA submissions have increased versus the prior year, but are still below 2022–23 levels; they cited timing differences in the season open date as a partial explanation. Officials flagged a structural shortfall in the Pell Grant program that will require congressional action to address in the near term.

Chief legal counsel reported that the U.S. Department of Education had issued a “Dear Colleague” letter on constitutional protections against race‑based discrimination. Counsel said the Office of the Commissioner had reviewed Montana University System policies and concluded the system is in compliance with the department’s guidance on admissions and hiring practices.

Regents and campus leaders were briefed on materials that system staff said are being shared with campus communications teams, faculty and students, and on a system spreadsheet estimating the potential budgetary impacts if federal changes proceed. Board members encouraged continued monitoring and outreach to federal delegation offices.

","Montana University System leaders told the Board of Regents that recent federal actions — a House-passed continuing resolution, Department of Education staff reductions and agency guidance, paused grants and a proposed NIH indirect‑cost cap — have already disrupted campus research and could cut institutional reimbursements.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6277044,"Helena College highlights new cosmetology salon, motorcycle-safety program and plan for first in-state occupational therapy assistant program",909,312000,1221000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2658062-498dff6e20fe56879defa2b9c782ed65&start=312&end=1221","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2658062-498dff6e20fe56879defa2b9c782ed65/thumbnail_312000.jpg","/articles/6277044/Montana/Helena-College-highlights-new-cosmetology-salon-motorcycle-safety-program-and-plan-for-first-in-state-occupational-therapy-assistant-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277044-a81b61cf6915f74b891c0a0a14d15280/orig.mp4?Expires=1770941059&Signature=i4qKob8qezv5cfHLwNmDAxqXdtCFFvoWlUSjYIjH25us1g1v0PBAnePnwtdYf1ZYBj53wzDirfGLMRLRVXxKGqLxQ9FrYraDEEq7w7iuuVdqrZHa3hwYYXsusp2Hp8upYl~JOcsxLRC0om2M-d~I1Vn6FZDm7gVn7t84iwY8Xvuu0C8Gb7QNiv5Yf4mCGXuSDWQ7AErTilFqBaJcLCThGZjZqEFdAHeRNWiGGfihvMPZd42Bf71T~4RiVwAERbrS-yTTH~AlgK57DlxZ8myB413kfWry5P9paK92epYtYxrA2ivvUaT8ptJHw3VW6MizyRgh9UjnPid~51NtSeXi5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Helena College reported at the March 2025 Montana Board of Regents meeting that the campus has opened a year-round cosmetology associate program, expanded statewide noncredit safety training and is planning the state’s first occupational therapy assistant program, Dean Baumann said.

The developments matter for workforce and rural access: the cosmetology program aims to put graduates into local salons quickly, the motorcycle-safety work reduces crash risk statewide, and the planned OTA degree is intended to fill a gap in health-care training that currently forces employers to hire occupational therapists to do work allowable for OTAs.

Dean Baumann said the cosmetology associate of applied science began accepting students in January 2024 and was designed as a 15-month “sprint” degree to speed graduates into the workforce. \"Our students are learning all aspects of the business from performing hair, skin, and nail services to the business skills they need to be successful,\" Baumann told the board. The program partnered with Kenra Professional for products and guest instruction, and the campus salon has performed more than 5,000 services for live clients since opening for services in May 2024, Baumann said. The services tally includes roughly 1,400 haircuts, about 1,000 pedicures and over 900 manicure/nail services.

Baumann also described Helena College’s role as the new host of the Montana Motorcycle Rider Safety Program, which held classes in 10 locations this year. He said 916 riders completed the program this year, up from 723 the year before, and characterized that increase as a contribution to public safety.

Looking ahead, Helena College is developing an occupational therapy assistant program the dean said will be the first OTA education program offered in Montana. Baumann said the OTA program will be offered in a HyFlex model — combining on-campus hands‑on training with remote didactic coursework — and, like cosmetology, is designed to be finished in roughly 15 months. The college expects to seek accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) and told the board it is targeting an accreditation decision in January 2027; recruitment would begin in fall 2026 if accreditation proceeds on schedule.

Baumann highlighted enrollment and student‑success trends: average annual full‑time equivalent enrollment has grown nearly 10% since the 2021 school year and unduplicated headcount is projected to exceed 2,000 this academic year, the college said. Transfer outcomes are strong, with the college reporting that 96% of students who transferred to four‑year schools were in good academic standing; the median transfer GPA cited was 3.74 for fall 2023. Dual‑enrollment participation also rose: the college said it served more than 1,200 dual‑enrollment students last year and expects about 1,450 this year. Dean Baumann highlighted a student example, Isabella Williamson, a first‑generation student and Helena College student body president, who he said began as a dual‑enrollment student and will transfer to the University of Montana to study public health.

Baumann closed by thanking college employees and inviting questions from the Regents. Chair Buchanan and other Regents thanked Baumann and campus staff for the work described and for hosting the remote meeting.

Helena College provided data and program details during the campus update; board members asked no formal questions that changed the programs’ plans during the meeting.

","Helena College told the Board of Regents it has opened a year-round cosmetology associate program, expanded noncredit safety training statewide, and is planning Montana’s first occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program to address workforce gaps and improve rural access.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board of Regents approves housing repairs, classroom renovations and multiple academic proposals

Montana university leaders warn federal research pauses, proposed NIH cap and Education Department changes could reduce funding

Helena College highlights new cosmetology salon, motorcycle-safety program and plan for first in-state occupational therapy assistant program