MONTANA BOARD OF REGENTS
MEETING
JULY 11-12, 2002

SYSTEM ISSUES

MODIFIED VERSION Submitted by: Student Regent Christian Hur

Proposal: MUS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

Promoting economic development in the State of Montana through the various campuses of the MUS remains the primary purpose of this proposal.

  1. Each campus mission statement and strategic plan will demonstrate a significant commitment to economic development.
  2. After appropriate review by their respective President and the Commissioner, each Campus CEO is encouraged and empowered to bring economic development and new degree proposals, as needed, before the Montana Board of Regents. An economic development proposal may include new degree programs (both extension and otherwise), workforce training, research & development, and campus-business partnerships requested by businesses and other organizations in Montana's communities.
  3. Even when such degree programs or workforce training might already exist several hundred miles away at an existing MUS campus, the economic development and degree program needs of each campus-community will always be considered by the Montana Board of Regents.
  4. The review of each campus CEO by the University President called for in BOR policy 705.2 shall include the evaluation of each CEOs achievement in economic development.

5.       When submitting proposals, campus CEOs are encouraged to create an appropriate business plan that outlines the:

  • Measurement of Success of any proposed program.
  • Need for any proposed program.
  • Timeline for implementation of any proposed program.
  • Economic development (outreach & benefit) potential for any proposed program.
  • The investment capital or funding required for the proposed program.
  • The expected ROI (if appropriate) for the proposed initiative.
  • The exit-plan for any costly or significant proposed program.
  • All legal partnerships upon the public submission of the item[1].

[1] An organization formed after 1996 is classified as a partnership for federal tax purposes if it is an unincorporated organization with two or more members and its members carry on a trade, business, financial operation, or venture and divide its profits. However, a joint undertaking merely to share expenses is not a partnership. For example, co-ownership of property maintained and rented or leased is not a partnership unless the co-owners provide services to the tenants.