May 29-30, 2003

ITEM 119-1007-R0503  Approval of Proposal to Rename the School of Forestry to the College of Forestry and Conservation and to Reorganize it into Three Departments: (1) Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, (2) Department of Forest Management, and (3) Department of Society and Conservation; The University of Montana-Missoula

THAT: The Board of Regents of Higher Education authorizes The University of Montana to rename the School of Forestry to the College of Forestry and Conservation and to reorganize the present School of Forestry into three departments consisting of the Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, the Department of Forest Management, and the Department of Society and Conservation.

EXPLANATION: In recognition of the unit's academic comprehensiveness and complexity, a modern name is proposed for the unit. The unit seeks to reorganize into three academic departments to increase administrative efficiency and quality service by bringing administrative policies and procedures closer to the location and identity of both students and faculty. The three proposed departments will group faculty in cognate disciplines into a common department, thus providing focus for intellectual interests and for personnel management. Leadership within the School and across campus will increase as School chairs interact with other department chairs on campus.

All costs for this reorganization are borne by savings in the unit through reorganization. There will be no increased costs associated with this proposal.

The completed signature page resides on file at the President's Office, The University of Montana-Missoula.