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Board of Regents authorizes $25.5M Main Hall renovation, approves engineering renovation, housing planning and shift to Montana State Fund for workers' comp
Summary
The Montana Board of Regents unanimously approved a package of campus facility projects and planning requests — including a $25.5 million Main Hall renovation and an $8 million Engineering Hall renovation at Montana Tech — authorized MSU Bozeman housing planning, and voted to move the system's workers' compensation coverage to the Montana State Fund.
The Montana Board of Regents on Jan. 14 unanimously approved several campus renovation and planning requests and a change to its workers' compensation coverage.
Dan Stevenson, Montana University System director of facilities planning, asked the board to authorize Montana Technological University to expend up to $25,500,000 to renovate Main Hall, saying the building has not been renovated in about 120 years and that the project would improve utilization and accessibility. The board had previously authorized up to $4,500,000 for planning and design in March 2024.
Stevenson also presented an authorization request of up to $8,000,000 to renovate Engineering Hall, noting prior planning authorization of $1,200,000 and that the renovation will include a connector to Main Hall to provide single-elevator accessibility between the buildings.
Deputy Commissioner Trevor presented a request to plan and design housing improvements at Montana State University, Bozeman. Trevor said the planning and design phase covers renovation, deferred maintenance and potential new construction and that the work would be funded from auxiliary revenue reserves.
Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian reviewed the system's self-funded workers' compensation program and said consultants recommended switching to a fully insured model. Christian said the proposal is to transition MUS coverage to the Montana State Fund to reduce cost and eliminate certain risks; OCHE will continue to convene the Workers Compensation Committee.
On roll-call votes the board approved the Main Hall authorization (ITEM 222-1501-R0126), the Engineering Hall authorization (ITEM 222-1502-R0126), the MSU housing planning authorization (ITEM 222-2001-R0126) and the transition to Montana State Fund coverage (ITEM 222-101-R0126). Each motion passed 7-0.
Earlier in the meeting the board approved consent items including labor agreements, emeriti, tenure recommendations and multiple facilities items (items a.–g.). Regent Heather Hoyer moved the consent agenda; the motion passed 7-0.
The board did not receive any public comment before adjourning the public meeting at 1:30 p.m.
