ACT TODAY - Write and Call to the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education

We need your help TODAY! This is the moment you’ve been waiting for!

Despite our resounding rejections of these cuts, the University of Montana’s Provost has unfortunately chosen to push their proposals forward to the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education. 

OCHE has given us contradictory statements about when they will review the proposals, but we believe they may meet as early as tomorrow to make a decision. This is their moment to reject the proposals and set the standard for decision-making in the Montana University System.

TODAY, please reach out to Joe Thiel, the Interim Deputy Commissioner of Academic, Research, & Student Affairs, to let him know that he should reject these proposals. You can email him at jthiel@montana.edu or leave him a message at (406) 449-9134. 

Taking this action could make the difference for our programs and set the tone at the state level that shady decisions are not acceptable in Montana. Write or call in TODAY so that your voice can be heard!

Here is some sample language you can use, or feel free to go off-script:

Deputy Commissioner Thiel,

I am a Montanan who cares deeply about higher education in our state, and I strongly urge you to reject the proposed cuts at the University of Montana.

It is clear that these proposals were not made in good faith, and the Provost’s justifications have been vague and contradictory. I am deeply alarmed that these rushed proposals would damage the University’s academic portfolio and tarnish its reputation for current and prospective students and employees. Who would choose UM knowing their programs could be cut at any time without clear justification?

Our state deserves transparency, not rushed decisions made behind closed doors. Reject these proposals so that the University of Montana can engage constructively and strategically on a path forward.