MISSOULA – There are still details being ironed out, but the Montana University Board of Regents are set to review the University of Montana’s budget details for next year, a spending plan reflecting declining revenue and enrollment.
UM is still pulling together the “realignment” ordered by President Seth Bodnar at the start of this year. School administrators are reviewing what programs and degrees might be lost as part of the cuts, which Bodnar has called “critical” for positioning the school for the future.
Bodnar is scheduled to present the latest budget details to the Regents on Wednesday, showing how the school is proposing to offset an enrollment drop projected to hit 22% over a five year period, and a corresponding drop in operating revenue.
He’s also expected to explain how the school will use a system of voluntary departures to bring faculty numbers in line, with the potential loss of just over 200 faculty and staff to realign the employee ratio with students.
UM’s changes could eliminate programs tied to Humanities, Political Science and moving or consolidating colleges such as Journalism, Media Arts and the College of Business. The proposals are still being reviewed by the Faculty Senate.
