ITEM 107-1021-R0500 Use of State Lands Under the Control of the Montana
University System (MUS) by the Montana National Guard for the Purpose of
Constructing and Operating, on a Long-term Basis, an Education and Training
Facility (Armory); The University of Montana-Missoula
THAT: The Board of Regents of the Montana
University System authorizes The University of Montana to execute a Memorandum
of Understanding with the Montana National Guard to locate a new education and
training facility (Armory) on University lands at Fort Missoula adjacent to the
College of Technology West campus. The
Armory will be constructed and operated without financial obligation or cost to
the Montana University System. Use of
referenced land will be without cost to the Montana National Guard.
EXPLANATION: Location of the Armory will create
collaborative educational opportunities between the National Guard and the
University in which the Montana University System will have access to the
State-wide network of educational teleconferencing sites developed by the
Montana National Guard. Additionally,
the proximity of the Armory at the College of Technology West campus will allow
the National Guard greater access to the University educational resources. Finally, the University and the National
Guard will explore the potential of locating the current Reserve Officer
Training Corps (ROTC) programs to the Armory if there is programmatic benefit.
It
is anticipated that the Montana National Guard will be granted use of ten acres
of property at the Fort Missoula COT
West campus without charge. The exact
site of the building will be determined after survey. The Montana National Guard will have the right to use the
property for 50 years. The Montana
National Guard will be solely responsible for all costs of construction,
maintenance and operation expenses. In
return, the Montana University System is granted the right to use the
facilities for distance learning and other related educational activities as
mutually agreed upon by the parties. It
is anticipated that the teleconferencing capabilities will greatly enhance the
University System’s access to the State in delivery of outreach and educational
services.
The University of Montana seeks the authority to proceed with the planning of this project and to execute a Memorandum of Understanding developed between the parties and approved by the Commissioner of Higher Education.