University of Montana’s plan to cut programs, teachers doesn’t solve problem

Last week, the University of Montana http://www.umt.edu/why/adw?gclid=CMqWsbPXq8kCFZBcfgodvjMKQA announced plans to cut more than 200 full-time positions, citing a 6.5 percent drop in enrollment from last year. In an October press release, UM had first reported a "preliminary" drop of 3.8 percent. Once it had determined the actual drop was nearly twice that, it quietly updated its website.

There was no second press release, however. Instead, President Royce Engstrom announced at a Nov. 17 campus forum that cuts at the UM campus would focus on the departments of "Journalism, Anthropology, English, Geography, Liberal Studies, Art, Political Science, and Forestry Management."

By Dan Brooks

Full Story: http://missoulanews.bigskypress.com/missoula/blame-hall/Content?oid=2565832

***

How strongly do Engstrom’s cuts rely on faculty study?

A little over a year ago, University of Montana President Royce Engstrom sent a memo to Provost Perry Brown and the faculty senate requesting the design and implementation of a comprehensive review of academic programs across campus. The goal of the Academic Alignment and Innovation Program, according to Engstrom’s original charge, was to identify "both opportunities to strengthen existing programs and opportunities for new programs that are consistent with our mission and strategic plan." But in the wake of the Nov. 17 announcement regarding sweeping budget reductions at UM, some have begun to question just how heavily Engstrom leaned on the AAIP’s findings in planning those cuts.

By Alex Sakariassen

Full Story: http://missoulanews.bigskypress.com/missoula/lingering-questions/Content?oid=2565827