University of Montana seeks to reduce budget by $5M

MISSOULA (AP) — The University of Montana is planning to reduce its faculty by 58 members and cut its budget by $5 million by 2021.

The Missoulian reports provost Jon Harbor says the university expects to drop 12 percent of its faculty, but it aims to keep tenured members and those on track for tenure.

Proposed adjustments to the university’s budget include reductions of $7.1 million and $2 million in additions.

Harbor says the university will “wind down or change” 16 majors, minors and options, but students currently in those programs can finish them.

He says the number of general education courses will be reduced as well as the number and frequency of elective course.