DATE: September 18, 2000

TO: Board of Regents

FROM: Roger Barber, Chief Operating Officer, Montana State University-Northern

RE: Campus Report for the September, 2000 Board of Regents Meeting

         Several vacant administrative positions have been filled at Montana State University-Northern. Formal approval of those appointments will occur at this and subsequent Board of Regents meetings. Alex Capdeville's selection as the interim chancellor for MSU-Northern has pleased, and reassured, the campus. Charles Crimmins has been selected as the new Vice Chancellor for Finance, and is attending his first Board of Regents meeting this week. Kevin Emerick has been hired as the new women's basketball coach. The search for a director of the physical plant is in its final stages. Other administrative vacancies have been filled on an interim basis for this academic year.

         Montana State University-Northern has become a partner with three area tribal colleges to prepare Native American students as teachers for reservation schools. Fort Peck Community College, Fort Belknap College and Blackfeet Community College submitted the grants, under the federal Indian Education Act, naming MSU-Northern and Rocky Mountain College as the four-year, partner institutions for the program. The grants will enable MSU-Northern to hire additional faculty members to deliver coursework to the tribal colleges. Native American students may also receive stipends to come to the Northern campus for their degree.

         The damaged wing on the Chancellor's residence has been demolished. Restoration and design questions are still being discussed, and construction on a new addition will hopefully begin in Spring 2001. The exterior rock work on the demolished wing has been salvaged so that the new structure will look as much like the existing house as possible.