Montana Board of Regents approve University of Montana, Montana State University executive raises as "normal" during challenging financial time

On Tuesday, though, Regent Martha Sheehy of Billings requested the board discuss the 2 percent raises for campus leaders. She said the argument for the increases is that they are "normal" and routine, but the system is facing challenges.

"It actually surprises me that this is going through as ‘normal’ because this isn’t a normal time," Sheehy said.

The documents outlining the proposed raises have a column for the "reason" given for each increase, and they list most as "normal."

At the very least, she said, the board should review the compensation of the three highest-paid employees, especially because the presidents of the flagship universities and the commissioner are on track to each receive $500,000 "bonuses for longevity."

KEILA SZPALLER For the Independent Record

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