University regents change COT names

While the second day of last week's Montana Board of Regents meeting was not as chock-full of discussions and activities as the first, they did make some big decisions and officer appointments.

The biggest change the public will notice is the name change for every two-year and technical college in the state, except for Great Falls College of Technology.

In a resolution passed by the regents, they explain how the change is being made to "reflect the breadth and depth of the expanded two-year mission. "

By June 30, 2013, the following changes have to take effect:

• Montana State University Billings College of Technology shall be named: City College at Montana State University Billings (City College at MSU Billings) ;
• University of Montana Helena College of Technology shall be named: Helena College University of Montana (Helena College UM) ;
• UM Missoula College of Technology shall be named: Missoula College University of Montana (Missoula College UM) ;
• Montana Tech of the UM College of Technology shall be named: Highlands College of Montana Tech (Highlands College of MT Tech) ;
• MSU Gallatin College Programs shall be named: Gallatin College Montana State University (Gallatin College MSU) ;
• UM Bitterroot College Program shall be named: Bitterroot College University of Montana (Bitterroot College UM) ;
• The Great Falls COT has asked for more time to come up with a better name than the proposed "Great Falls College Montana State University (Great Falls College MSU).

The regents plan to have a conference call in the next 30 days to vote on a name for Great Falls.

The name-change is the latest piece of a long process of reforming and revitalizing the state's two-year programs.

The regents since 2005 have placed their focus on "increasing access to affordable and quality education. "

At the May 2011 meeting, the regents approved a faculty-, staff-, and student-developed "Comprehensive Two-Year Mission" statement.

That meeting also saw the creation of the Comprehensive Mission and Rebranding Taskforce, led by MSU-Billings Chancellor Rolf Groseth and Deputy Commissioner John Cech.

The taskforce and commissioner's office have held dozens of public hearings, leadership meetings and conference calls over the past year to come up with these names and how to implement them.

The board, at the end of their meeting, voted on the board chair and vice-chair positions.

Chair Angela McLean was renominated and affirmed to retain her position.

Current Vice-Chair, Billings Regent Todd Buchanan, rejected his nomination and was firm in his desire to give up the position.

After a brief recess the regents nominated fellow Billings Regent Major Robinson and affirmed him as the new vice-chair.