Montana University System to Seek Input on Renaming of Colleges of Technology – Online Survey will Provide Regents with Public Feedback on Historic Initiative

(Helena, MT)–The Montana University System (MUS) is seeking input from the public about the new names of Montana’s five Colleges of Technology. Through the College!NOW initiative funded through the Lumina Foundation, MUS will be changing the names and brands of Montana’s Colleges of Technology. The Board of Regents will make a decision at their March 1-2 meeting in Dillon on the new names. The name changes will not impact either Montana’s community colleges or tribal colleges.

Through a series of listening sessions, student surveys, a branding summit in December, and community focus groups, the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE) has conducted opinion research and sought input from students, faculty, staff, administrators, employers, and local officials about the renaming of these institutions.

Commissioner of Higher Education, Clayton Christian, said "This is an historic initiative, with lasting positive impacts for local communities all over the state. It is our desire as Montana’s public university system, to receive as much feedback and input as we can, prior to making a recommendation to the Board of Regents."

All five of Montana’s Colleges of Technology will be expanding their programming to include the comprehensive two-year mission, which will include:

expanded workforce development programs,

adult friendly programming,

full university transfer opportunities,

lifelong learning opportunities for their community, and

community development.

John Cech, Deputy Commissioner for Two-Year and Community College Education stated the Commissioner’s office is currently accepting input on the new names that will be used to identify each of the current Colleges of Technology. Cech said the new naming framework will include elements descriptive of mission, place, and university affiliation.

"Mission expansion is the driving force behind the renaming of our Colleges of Technology in Montana. Through the College!NOW imitative, our objective is to make two-year higher education in Montana better coordinated, better understood, and as a result, better utilized statewide," said Cech. "The new names are just one of the many tactics we will deploy to make that vision a reality for students and families all over the state."

Members of the public can complete an on-line survey which can be accessed at the http://montanacollegenow.com/ website. This survey is part of a research study, conducted by a 3rd party research firm, Strategies 360 Montana. Cech said all responses in this survey will be collected anonymously and confidentially.  Any information provided in this survey will be used for research purposes only.

For Additional Information Contact:

Dr. John E. Cech, Deputy Commissioner for
Two-Year and Community College Education

406-670-0848

[email protected]