Author
University of Montana law school dean finalists discuss national ranking, Title IX and fly fishing
Fly fishing, high national rankings, Title IX challenges and housing prices were among the topics three finalists for dean of the University of Montana Alexander Blewett III School of Law discussed in recent campus forums. The recorded forums, (available here) are part of the search committee’s review of candidates, who talked about challenges and opportunities at […]
Daily Montanan, Montana Federation of Public Employees, sue Board of Public Ed
The Daily Montanan and Montana Federation of Public Employees are asking the Lewis and Clark County District Court to void a decision by the Board of Public Education, arguing it was made without proper public notice or the opportunity for public participation. In a lawsuit submitted Friday, the plaintiffs allege the Board of Public Education […]
Gov. Greg Gianforte speaks at University of Montana about bipartisanship
Gov. Greg Gianforte said he goes into every conversation expecting to learn something, a lesson he took away from influential and controversial author Jordan Peterson’s “12 Rules for Life.” In the 2021 Montana Legislature, the Republican governor met with majority and minority leadership every week, with no agenda, he said. If you hear the critic, […]
Audit finds cybersecurity concerns at Montana State University, University of Montana
Cybersecurity is at risk at both Montana State University and the University of Montana, and both campuses are vulnerable to data breaches and ransomware attacks, according to an information systems report from the Legislative Audit Division. “Each university is in a place where they are spending valuable time reacting to the effects of risks as […]
Groups line up to weigh in on the subject of carrying guns on Montana campuses
From the looks of it, the Montana Supreme Court has a lot of friends. That’s one conclusion to be drawn from the stacks of paper submitted as “friends of the court” briefs in a lawsuit regarding House Bill 102, which expanded the right to carry firearms in Montana, including on public campuses. Late last year, […]
Montana code of ethics for educators erupted with just the addition of the word ‘equity’
Kelly Elder, a sixth grade teacher in Helena, never expected that including the word “equity” in the Professional Educators of Montana Code of Ethics would elicit strong opposition. “Absolutely not,” said Elder, chair of the Certification Standards and Practices Advisory Council. “ … I was completely surprised by an outpouring of testimonials, many people wanting […]
Green Party candidates on 2022 ballot, plaintiffs awarded fees
The Montana Secretary of State must recognize the Green Party as a political party in the State of Montana for the 2022 election, according to an order this week from a U.S. District Court in Montana. Additionally, Judge Brian Morris said the plaintiffs who sued in the matter are awarded roughly $70,000 in total attorney […]
University of Montana law school dean finalists to visit campus
Two law professors and one partner in private practice are the three finalists for dean of the University of Montana Alexander Blewett III School of Law who will be on campus for candidate forums following a recruitment for a “dynamic and visionary academic with administrative and faculty experience.” “The committee and I were pleased with […]
Gianforte Administration opposes ‘equity’ in educator ethics code, demands change
Against the advice of legal counsel — but under the bullish urging of Lt. Gov. Kristen Juras — the Montana Board of Public Education amended its agenda earlier this month to declare that one of its advisory councils acted without authority when it included “equity” as part of the educator code of ethics. The split […]
Plaintiffs in Title IX identify 76 potential litigants in discrimination case against UM
A group of plaintiffs alleging gender discrimination against the University of Montana and the Montana University System have counted 72 other people to date who they argue could potentially make similar claims, according to a brief and motion filed last week in U.S. District Court in Missoula to certify the Title IX lawsuit as a […]
Montana superintendent of public instruction hires special education director
After JP Williams nearly died from COVID-19 in spring 2021, he said he made a commitment to himself: “When I get out of this, I’m going to go to the wall for every child that I can help, no matter if they were going to my school or another school.” Friday, the Montana Office of […]
Billings Clinic announces pursuit of Level I Trauma designation, $30M campaign
Billings Clinic announced Thursday that it’s pursuing a Level I Trauma Center designation to offer the highest level of lifesaving care in the region — and a $30 million capital campaign is underway to achieve the distinction. “This is a transformational effort that will increase the level of lifesaving trauma care for patients and families […]