Prioritization process challenges transparency at the University of Montana

The project to set priorities at the University of Montana highlights a gap between UM President Sheila Stearns’ stated commitment to transparency and the actual availability of information to the public.

Comments made by task force members also reveal the inclination of some UM officials and leaders — albeit not all — to shield information from the public.

Over the last few days, a UM task force made up of faculty, staff and students has taken votes on how to rank academic and administrative units at the university for future investment or disinvestment. UM produced reports that informed the votes, but the task force has made neither the reports nor the vote breakdowns available to the public.

KEILA SZPALLER [email protected]

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