budget cuts

There is danger brewing in Helena in the halls of the Montana Legislature over how many millions of dollars may have to be cut from the University system budget.

At the Montana Legislature's House Appropriations budget hearing on Wednesday morning, Director of the Montana Department of Health and Human Services, Sheila Hogan, had harsh words for what she termed drastic budget cuts to her department.

Tuition for University of Montana students could skyrocket by up to 23 percent, should budget projections hold true for the University system from the state legislature.

Due to a projected shortfall in the state gas tax fund, Governor Steve Bullock has responded by proposing a cut in funding and personnel in the Montana Highway Patrol.

The Montana Board of Regents is meeting on Wednesday in Billings, and officials are hinting that there will be few surprises when it comes to enrollment throughout the university system.

The College of Humanities and Sciences at the University of Montana is working on meeting cuts that seem to be higher than anyone expected. The department may even have to shave off up to 50 percent of its operational costs.

UM Advocacy Coalition reacts to budget cuts proposed by President Royce Engstrom with meeting on campus yesterday.

A group of University of Montana faculty, students and staff met together on Monday afternoon to respond to President Royce Engstrom's plan to cut staff and expenses due to reduced enrollment. Their response, according to history professor Mehrdad Kia, "We cannot cut our way out of this crisis."

University of Montana officials will fire 27 people and reduce the hours of dozens of others to bring the school's budget into balance with its reduced enrollment.

The Montana Board of Regents held a regularly scheduled meeting in Helena on Tuesday and approved all items on their agenda, including raises for faculty and staff at schools struggling with enrollment issues.