January 20-21, 2005 

ITEM 126-2004-R0105Authorization to Submit Request to 59th Legislature for Authority to Construct a Native American Student Center using Non State funding; Montana State University-Bozeman

THAT: The Board of Regents of the Montana University System authorizes MSU-Bozeman to submit a request to the Long Range Planning Committee of the 59th Legislature for authority to construct a Native American Student Center at the Bozeman Campus. The Authority-Only request will be for the amount of $8,000,000.

EXPLANATION: 1. The Native American Student Center will fulfill a long-recognized need on the MSU campus - a center for Native American students to gather for support, cultural interaction and learning. The ultimate goal is to enhance the recruitment, retention, graduation and lifetime success of Native American students.

2. The Native American Student Center will also provide an important venue for dialog and discussion, learning and sharing, and cultural exchange among Native and non-Native campus constituencies alike.

If authorized by the Regents, MSU will submit a request to the Long Range Planning Committee of the 59th Legislature for authority to construct a Native American Student Center at the Bozeman Campus. MSU expects to request authority to design and construct the facility with non-state funding. As with other MSU state-owned facilities, O&M funding will be expected to be provided by state funding.