Author Archive for umnewsmontana@yahoo.com

UM introduces a new program named Blackstone Launchpad

UM Silver 10-17-16

Ally Barry and Ellie Baty anchor the news on this week’s edition of UM News. Private guns sales, alumnus’ perception on enrollment, Raise Me scholarship program and TRIO (a student success organization) are all featured.

UM Alumni Share Concerns About Enrollment

The University of Montana announced at the beginning of the 2016 fall semester that 12,419 students were enrolled.

This number represents a 4.8 percent decrease in total enrollment at UM.

The homecoming parade and football game are the grand finale to a week of celebrations at the University of Montana.

Alumna, Patty Guiberson; along with other Alumni who came back for the week, are trying to figure out why a University that is loved by so many continues to drop in enrollment numbers.

“I believe that some of it has to do with people wanting to hit the ground running with getting two year degrees and get into employment quickly,” said Guiberson.

UM Alumna, Joan Wilson, agrees with Guiberson.

“ also think that there’s been so much talk about what’s going on with the athletic system and with women not being treated like they should. And that’s been not good for the university, and they have to overcome that and show spirit. Showing people that people are safe when they come here and girls are safe when they come here,” said Wilson.

Wilson thinks the university should offer students at UM more opportunities.

Alumnus, Tony Moore, argues that if people want more technology-involved degrees they have Bozeman available.

“Remember it’s a liberal arts university and stop cutting liberal arts programs, that’s what,” said Moore.

This year the University hired a new vice president for enrollment and student affairs.

Thomas Crady will oversee enrollment management functions, student support and advocacy areas, and auxiliary operations.

“I believe that if people do come here and go to the University of Montana, they will find out this is a wonderful place to be and they’ll be like the rest of us where we never want to leave,” said Guiberson.

Crady’s Responsibilities range from developing effective strategies to help UM recruit and retain students to overseeing the offices currently in the Division of Student Affairs; ultimately raising enrollment numbers.

Although total enrollment has gone down, the Graduate School at UM increased by 80 students this semester.

An increase in nonresident students is also helping meet budget projections.

New Missoula Gun Control Ordinance

A new city wide gun ordinance in Missoula recently passed requiring the private sale of firearms to include a  background check. Already in the first week after the ordinance has passed the future law has seen lots of support and criticism. Reporter Jack Ginsburg and photographer Spencer Jakobi got the story.

UM promotes computer science in high schools

The University of Montana is teaming up with high schools around Montana to increase the number of students who engage in computer science. Student Kennedy Williamson is learning computer code in her class that Maria Bray teaches. UM received a grant from NSF CS10K program to grow computer science curriculum, diversity, and teacher preparedness across Montana. UM News reporter Caryn Foehringer and photographer Chelsea Reichard went to Sentinel High School to learn about the growing program.

UM News Silver Show 9/30

This week anchors Ally Barry and Braly Whisler deliver the news. UM News reporter Ellie Baty gives us the inside scoop on the Fulbright Program. Find out why UM’s Wildlife Biology Program is rated number 1 in the nation. The Black Student Union held a rally, teaming with the Native American community and find out about Missoula’s new popular delivery service, Kayle.

Missoula College Campus Fundraiser

The culinary arts program is building a facility at the new Missoula college campus. The program helped soothe the burn of u-m budget cuts with their third annual fundraiser at the Missoula fairgrounds . Twenty-five vendors from all over the country entered the carnivores classic BBQ festival last Saturday. The community got to come out and enjoy a variety of different BBQ styles, as well as live music, and a drive in.  The event gives students a great opportunity to learn about fundraising as well as event planning, students had a week long BBQ course to prepare for this years theme. Instructor rose Burland says the event gets bigger and better.The large turn out of vendors allowed the event to be a national qualifier for Kansas city BBQ society.The program will be hosting another v-i-p dinner fundraiser in the spring the spring

UM’s student minorities rally to build respect

The Black Student Union and the Native American Community joined forces to build a larger respect for the culture and community. Student Dustin Monroe believes by working together among the two groups, change can be made. Those two groups and other minorities make up only about 2,000 of UM’s nearly 12,000 students according to the Spring 2016 figures. Students from all backgrounds joined the two organizations in a recent march to Madison Street Bridge. UM News reporter Caryn Foehringer got the story.