Action Items Recommended to Implement Shared Leadership for a Stronger Montana Economy

Beginning in September, 2003, the Montana Board of Regents began to work
in earnest to find ways for the university system to take a more direct leadership role in the
state’s economic development.

At the request of the Regents and the Office of Commissioner of
Higher Education (OCHE) a number of people from various state agencies/organizations met
between September 2003 and January 2004 as an ad hoc working group to distill admirable
goals into practical and actionable initiatives.

Over these months, the composition of this ad hoc working group varied but included staff of the
Legislative Services Division, the Legislative Fiscal Division, OCHE, the Governor’s Office,
members of the Board of Regents and others interested in working on this important issue.

The initial work of the ad hoc working group culminated in January 2004 when the Board of
Regents unanimously approved a process to identify by May 2004 initiatives that the Board of
Regents might implement to establish more directly a new role for the Montana University
System in strengthening the state’s economy. This process involves getting broad-based
agreement on those areas that provide the best opportunity for change but still leverage the
university system’s, and Montana’s, unique strengths.

Furthermore, the Legislative Council – a
council of Montana’s key legislative leaders from both chambers and both parties – resolved
that the Postsecondary Education Policy and Budget (PEPB) Subcommittee be the legislative
body to represent the legislature in this process, and, during its January meeting, the PEPB
Subcommittee approved the process1.

The action items presented in this report comprise the prioritized effort of the
members of the six initiative teams, who have been working since the end of March to fulfill their
responsibilities to the project. The project owes a great debt of gratitude to people from the
private sector, the Montana University System, and State Executive and Legislative Offices who
have been cooperators contributing to the meaning of shared leadership by their active efforts.

Let us hope their reward is a Stronger Montana Economy.

For the full report: http://www.montana.edu/wwwbor/EconDevWeeklyUpdate5-3-04.pdf