Supporters of Northern should attend hearing

The Board of Regents is meeting here at Montana State University- Northern on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

On its agenda is the Montana State University proposal to pursue basing a two-year College of Technology program at Bozeman.

I find it amazing that MSU in Bozeman already oversees the Billings College of Technology, the Great Falls College of Technology and MSU-Northern College of Technology.

The University of Montana in Mi s soula has a Col l ege of Technology and oversees the Helena College of Technology and the Mo n t a n a Te c h Co l l e g e o f Technology in Butte.

There are three community colleges in the state that are pursuing some sort of technology programs.

There are also seven tribal colleges that teach technology classes.

I believe that the state of Montana has an ample amount of colleges and universities to serve the needs of the individuals wanting to further their educational needs.

Quality education of the students is the goal, not quantity.

It was instrumental in establishing the plumbing technology program at MSU-Northern in 2003.

Related training for apprentice plumbers was also established in

2005. Both of these programs are presently doing quite well, and helping the enrollment at the university.

I have the utmost respect for UM, however, I do not believe MSU needs to pursue duplication of twoyear College of Technology programs already in existence.

The supporters of MSU-Northern need to make calls to the members of the Board of Regents and ask them to not support MSU's request for a two-year College of Technology program.

Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. a listening session will be held at MSUNorthern's Hensler Auditorium.

Supporters of MSU-Northern should be there to make their comments about duplication of programs.