March 1-3, 2006

ITEM 130-102-R0306    Revisions to Policies 301.1 and 301.2

THAT: The Board of Regents of Higher Education approves the proposed revisions to Policies 301.1 and 301.2, dealing with admissions requirements for the Montana University System. The revisions:

(1)           authorize the admissions plan that was implemented at The University of Montana-Missoula in recent years;

(2)           permit other campuses in the Montana University System to develop a similar admissions plan, if they wish, based on criteria and rationale filed with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.

The revisions are set out in the attachment to this Item.

EXPLANATION: The University of Montana-Missoula adopted an admissions plan a few years ago that attempts to provide students with the best chance of success at the institution. After carefully studying the characteristics of its students, UM-Missoula determined that some students pose a risk of failure, even though they may meet the Board of Regents' threshold requirements for admission at the institution. If those students could begin their career at a smaller institution, however, with more personalized attention and skill development, they may well succeed. The University of Montana-Missoula, therefore, now directs some students to its affiliated College of Technology as they begin their career at that institution.

On at least two occasions in the past 18 months, The University of Montana-Missoula made a presentation to the Board of Regents concerning its admissions program. The Board was supportive of The University of Montana-Missoula's plan, especially since it was grounded in good data that identified the "at risk" students. The Board requested policy language to formally recognize the practice, so the attached revisions are being suggested.