IN THIS ISSUE

MPACT Makes an Impact 1 Funding Priorities for Student Affairs 2 Ask-an-Alum Program Expands Student Opportunities 3 Faculty Honored for Collaboration 4 Valuable E-text Technology Provides Access 4 Student Wins UM and State Employee Awards 5 Student Affairs Advisory Board List 5 Lewis and Clark Village Opens 6 Thank You to Our Donors 6

MMMM any times I am asked, “What is the Division

of Student Affairs?” From

Enrollment Services to Career

Services, the University Center

to Curry Health Center, the

eleven departments of the

Division facilitate student

learning by providing high

quality programs, services, and

developmental opportunities.

We foster an inclusive campus

community so that students can

pursue their diverse academic,

career, and personal goals.

Currently, our Advisory Board is

stepping up fundraising efforts.

Our biannual newsletter will

bring you highlights of our

activities. We invite you to join

us as we ensure that all

students have the chance to

succeed.

Teresa S. Branch

SSSS adly, only 40% of Montana’s high school graduates enter college. Many families don't know, or maybe

don't believe, that obtaining a college degree increases

one’s earning power dramatically. In fact, on a national

level, those with a college degree will earn about $1 million

more over their working careers than their counterparts with

high school diplomas.

Montana Partnering for Affordable College Tuition

(MPACT) is UM’s new initiative to educate Montana families

about the value of higher education and increase the

number of high school graduates who choose to attend

college. MPACT offers a need-based financial aid package

to in-state academically prepared students. President

Dennison, Vice President Branch, representatives from

Enrollment Services, other UM administrators and staff, and

UM faculty have been touring the state to promote this

opportunity.

The first students to receive MPACT financial aid

packages will attend The University of Montana beginning

fall semester 2006. Visit www.umt.edu/mpact or call

(800) 462-8636 to learn more.

MPACT Makes an Impact

Message from the VP for Student Affairs

Summer 2006: Issue 1 The University of Montana-Missoula

Student Affairs NewsStudent Affairs NewsStudent Affairs NewsStudent Affairs News

2 Student Affairs News

Capital Campaign Includes Funding Priorities for Student Affairs

OOOO n October 1, 2005, The University of Montana and UM Foundation announced the largest campaign in the institution’s history, a $100 million comprehensive

effort to assure UM’s continued achievement in teaching, research, and public service. The Campaign’s theme is Invest in Discovery – Connecting People, Programs and Place. Private funds are sought for: · Student support and services · Endowed faculty positions · Academic program support · New and renovated facilities

DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS FUNDING PRIORITIES

Merit and Montana University System Honors Scholarships Goal $2 million

Scholarships are a high priority at The University of Montana. General merit scholarships and targeted

scholarship programs allow the University to maintain high academic standards, keep more top students in

the state, and preserve Montana’s future leadership. The MUS Scholarship provides four years of paid tuition

and registration fees to at least one outstanding student from every high school in Montana.

Need-based Scholarships Goal $1 million

UM is dedicated to providing all students who have a desire to earn a degree the opportunity to do so.

As government funding for higher education decreases, need-based scholarship support is more important

than ever. During the 2004 academic year, over 77% of UM students received some sort of financial aid, and

insufficient financial aid was the primary reason students left the University.

International Student Employment Incentive Program Goal $25,000

Visiting international scholars enrich our campus and expose students of limited experience to today’s

global society. Unfortunately, UM is restricted by visa regulations from allowing foreign students to obtain

work study jobs. The Foreign Student Employment Incentive program allows UM departments to offer part-

time positions to international students, providing similar financial and educational benefits as work study

programs.

Multicultural Alliance Goal $25,000

Montana frequently receives low marks in its efforts to promote and celebrate diversity. The

Multicultural Alliance at UM strives to help counter that situation by sponsoring educational and entertaining

cultural events. Under the Multicultural Alliance, the campus affiliate of the National Coalition Building Institute

(NCBI) educates students about discrimination based on nationality, race, class, gender, religion, sexual

orientation, age, physical ability, job, or life circumstance and encourages students to explore solutions to

tough social issues.

3 Summer 2006

“A lumni can really help students see

the benefit of a university

education, providing motivation

and advice on how to make it

through successfully,” says Ask-

an-Alum coordinator Sarah

Raymond. The Ask-an-Alum

program, begun in 1994 by UM

students, is now run by Career

Services in partnership with the

Alumni Association. The program

helps students focus on their

educational and career goals by

introducing them to UM alumni

employed in their field of interest.

Alumni contacts are particularly

useful to students, as they often

provide an insider’s perspective

of a specific company or

employment area.

A new on-line component

engineered by UM’s Information

Technology office enables

students to search a database of

more than 2,800 diverse alumni.

Searches may be sorted by

major, location, company name,

job title, or job responsibilities.

Personal contact information is

kept secure, and alumni may

choose whether a student can

contact them. Although the

service is not to be used for job

referrals, students may request

informational interviews, career

mentoring, or job shadowing.

For face-to-face interaction,

the Ask-an-Alum program hosts

informational luncheons through-

out the year, where alumni speak

about their careers and answer

student questions.

Alumni may contact Career

Services at (406) 243-2022 for

information on how to participate

in the Ask-an-Alum program.

The Center for Leadership Development Goal $25,000 The Center for Leadership Development offers programs and resources to help students gain the

skills and experiences they need to become engaged and ethical leaders of tomorrow. The Center builds self-

confidence, increases self-awareness, and helps talented students envision and implement their goals.

Career Services Goal $25,000 The travel and screening required to find qualified, motivated workers for entry-level professional and

managerial positions can strain corporate recruitment budgets. Similarly, job-hunting can be a daunting task

for the new college graduate hoping to land a challenging position in his or her chosen field without going

through an extensive travel and application process. UM’s Career Services annually serves thousands of

students and hundreds of employers by providing: career planning and counseling; national standardized

testing and assessment; workshops and outreach presentations; resume, interview and job-search

assistance; on-campus interviews; career fairs; alumni mentoring; and job posting services.

Career Services seeks funds to meet the needs of an ever-increasing number of students and

employers. Naming opportunities allow a sponsoring business or corporation to reach students through

Career Services—one of the most visible and widely-used offices at UM.

Ask-an-Alum Program Expands Student Opportunities

Funding Priorities (cont.)

4 Student Affairs News

Faculty Honored for Collaboration with Student Affairs

CCCC ollaboration with faculty is crucial to the success of Student Affairs. Every year,

dedicated faculty provide outstanding

service to students by supporting and participating in

Student Affairs programs. Last

month, Vice President Branch

honored ninety-nine faculty at

the third annual faculty

recognition reception.

Steve Gaskill, associate

professor of applied exercise

physiology in the Department of

Health and Human Performance,

earned special recognition for

his generous and effective

support of students. To illustrate

Steve’s extraordinary dedication,

Jim Marks, director of Disability

Services for Students, said, “Steve has managed to

balance academic standards with accessibility.

When Steve had a student in his class who asked

for unreasonable modifications, he interacted with

the student in a humane and

supportive manner. Steve found

the student tutors and

encouraged him to succeed with

reasonable accommodations.

Now, that student is graduating.”

Steve’s activities with Student

Affairs include participation in

orientation, collaboration with

Campus Recreation, and

involvement in the Retention Task

Force.

Student Affairs directors

nominate faculty each year.

Valuable E-Text Technology Provides Access

AAAA lmost 900 students with disabilities are

currently enrolled at

The University of Montana. Those

who are blind, those with sight

impairments or dyslexia, or those

who have ADD or ADHD often find

reading printed text a substantial

barrier to academic success.

Luckily, Disability Services for

Students (DSS) is a national

leader in print to e-text conversion

in higher education. Used by print

disabled students, e-text is an

electronic format that provides

“spoken” text.

A $20,000 grant from the

Gallagher Western Charitable

Foundation has just made DSS’s

job easier. The funds enabled the

purchase of a high-speed duplex

scanner, conversion software, and

additional handheld Book Port

reading machines. These items

streamline the e-text conversion

process and provide convenient

delivery, ensuring that students

with print disabilities have access

to classroom texts.

Ed Milburn, 81-year-old text

conversion expert, oversees the

process. Here’s how it works: After

a student requests text

conversion, DSS makes sure the

book isn’t already available in

electronic format through online

services such as Bookshare. Then

DSS sends a letter to the

publisher and proceeds to convert

the book. The book’s binding is

removed and the loose pages are

sent through automatic scanning

machines. Under Ed’s direction,

student employees meticulously

format the text so that it can be

easily and accurately read by the

reader software. Lastly, the hard

copy is rebound with a spiral

binding and returned to the

(Continued on page 8)

Steve Gaskill receiving the special

recognition award from President

Dennison and VP Branch

5 Summer 2006

FFFF or the past four years, the winner of the UM Student Employee of the Year has

won the State of Montana Student

Employee award. Perhaps that’s because the

University values and nurtures its student

employees, offering them real work responsibilities.

Most students take advantage of these opportunities

for growth and really flourish, developing career

skills and enthusiastically tackling challenges.

This year’s winner of both awards is Tom Fite,

portal developer in the UM Information Technology

office. Through his upbeat energy, creativity, and

professionalism, Tom has enhanced The University

of Montana’s reputation and increased its

technological capacity. He has been instrumental in

helping UM emerge as an innovative leader in the

national portal consortium. Due to Tom’s

contributions, more grant funding has been awarded

to UM for collaborative software development and

support of consortium members.

“I know of no other department at UM, and no

other university in the portal consortium, that places

so much trust and responsibility on a student

employee,” says director of applications and media

development Gordy Pace. As for how he has

profited from his work with IT, Tom says, “Looking

back on my college career, I keep coming back to

one simple statement: you can only learn so much in

a classroom. More than anything else, the time I

have spent working in the Information Technology

office has prepared me for a professional career

once I graduate. I have benefited enormously. I also

know that the University has benefited because of

my work on the UM portal. It is such a win-win

situation for everyone.”

UM departments annually nominate employees

for the Student Employee of the Year award. The

winner is chosen based on criteria established by

the National Association of Student Employment

Administrators. Winners from the state campuses

are then entered into the statewide competition.

Tom received a $500 scholarship from Career

Services and a $50 check from the State.

Student Wins UM and State Student Employee Awards

VP Branch and Career Services student

employment coordinator Valerie Marsh present

Tom Fite with the UM and State Student

Employee of the Year awards

STUDENT AFFAIRS ADVISORY BOARD

Christopher Warden (‘97), Chair Alice Hinshaw (‘94), Vice Chair

Carina Beck ('93) Joycee Dozier

Dr. Udo Fluck ('93) Alifiyah Galely ('94) Pamela Hillery ('88) Dr. Barbara Hollmann Jennifer Isern ('89) Scott Johnson ('81) Jerry Lamb ('00) Dennis Lerum ('84) Frank Matule

Geannine Rapp ('92) Bachchi Samahon-Oumar ('89)

K. Dale Schwanke ('68) Senator Jim Shockley ('76)

Jon Swan ('03) Nora Templer Paul Tuss ('88)

Margaret Woo ('75)

6 Student Affairs News

Lewis and Clark Village Opens

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS!

This listing contains the names of donors who have contributed $100 or more to any designation within the Division of Student Affairs from January 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006. We make every attempt to accurately list our donors. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, mistakes happen. If such is the case, please contact Kathy Schaub at the UM Foundation to allow us to apologize and correct our mistake. (800) 443-2593 or (406) 243-4568. ABN AMRO Services Company Ronald and Debra Accomando Steve and Carolyn Adams Linda Almy American Indian Education Foundation Bart and Pam Anderson Pete and Lynn Anderson Apartment Store, Inc. Andrew and Nancy Armstrong Art Attic Incorporated Arthur Partners Loren and Kaye Auch Marvin and Patricia Aune David and Joan Ausman Avista Corporation Rob Bahrens W.V. and Margaret Ballew James and Geri Bann Col. Ford and Marlys '62 Barrett

Charles Bassett and Mary Jo Kuenster Dr. Darlene Bates Dr. Robert and Mary Battmer Jon Beal Ned '86 and Kimberlee Becker Frances Behairy David Bell Ronald '70 and Jeanne '85 Bender John and Oksana Bennett Thomas Benson Glenn Bergmiller Robert and Doris Best Blake Blackwelder Philip and Katherine Blake William and Linda Blanton Mike and Bonnie Bogen Edmund and Luellen Boland Ted Boyd John and Kathleen Boyle Alan Bradley Robert '65 and Beverly '63 Braig Dr. Teresa S. Branch Douglas and Margaret Brown Martin and Jacquelin Brown Brendon Burchard '99 Joesph and Amelia Burke Edward Carroll and Josephine Burke Scott '85 and Tana '88 Burke Judith Burns '57

C. Burt Caldwell and Martha Smith James Caras William Caras Joseph and Catharine Carruthers A. and Joan Choremi Charles and Ruth '51 Clark James '52 and Kay Clinkingbeard Joseph and Karen Coan Cobb Foundation Thomas and Barbara Cochran George '65 and Susan '65 Cole Barbara Coneski Michael and Patricia Conlon Conoco Phillips Dr. Charles Couture ’69 and Randy Wood ’81 Donna Cote Thomas '53 and Neva Cotter Crawford & Associates, Inc. Darcy Creevy Bruce and Suzanne '64 Crocker Dr. Robert and Delores Curry William Dean '67 Reidun Decker Phillip Guay '73 and Martha Des Georges Alfred Deschamps Jay Deshpande and Patricia Scott

(Continued on page 7)

Lewis and Clark Village, UM’s first apartment-style housing for single, upper division and graduate students,

opened fall 2004. The thirteen-building, 462-bed residence is located on South Higgins Avenue near

Dornblaser, about one mile from campus. It offers a variety of furnished apartment styles, high speed

internet, a state-of-the-art security surveillance system, keyless entry, free shuttle service to campus, free

storage, and a community center. Cable TV and all utilities are included in the competitive rental rates. The

village is ADA compliant.

7 Summer 2006

Dr. Charles Couture ’69 and Randy Wood ’81

Michael DiLorenzo Randall Dillard DaJay Deshpande and Patricia Scott Michael DiLorenzo Randall Dillard Daniel and Janet Doornbos Joseph Dowling Louis Dubay Estate Michael and Patty Ducey Kerry and Gwen Durkin James and Connie Dysart Donald and Margot Eason William and Metha Edens Morris Eisert Bart and Judy Eisfelder Emerson Charitable Trust John and Patricia Endicott Karen Erickson John Etchepare Exelon Matching Gifts Program for Education Mary Farland Jennie Farley Michael and Kathleen Farmer Jodi Feist Frances K. and Charles D. Field Foundation Donald and Judith Filipp Financial Alternatives M. Irene Finley '87 First Interstate BancSystem First Interstate Bank Charles Fitzpatrick Brent Flewelling '02 Dr. Udo '93 and Nancy Fluck James and Karin Flynn Robert and Susan Folgate Richard '64 and Maureen '64 Ford Mark and Jill Friedman Jeanne Funston Gallagher Western Montana Charitable Foundation Grant and Elizabeth Galyardt Dene and Sheila Gary Dean Larry and Deslie '71 Gianchetta Timothy Goedeker '99 Cynthia Graber-Zingmark Robert Graham '25 Janice Gratch Douglas and Lauren Graves Danny Gray Jeffrey Gray '79 Randall Gray '76 and Nora Flaherty-Gray '74 Raymond and Mary Green Stephen and Margie Grinnell William '55 and Adrienne '55 Gue Raymond and Laurie '74 Gundlach Brad and Chris Habegger Brian and Sharon Hagan Carolina Hamshaw Colleen Hansen Myron '76 and Sharon '71 Hanson Richard '73 and Natalie Harrington Henry and Eleanor Harris Stephen Harrison Harrison Construction Anthony and Cecie Hartigan Laurence Haverhals James and Bonita Hay Haynes Foundation David and Renda Heimbigner Heisey Foundation Michael and Linda Herrmann Mike Heuring Neal and Linda Hicks Thomas '90 and Lynne '89 Himes

Gary '55 and Audrey '55 Hines Ken and Kathy Hoffman James and Wanda Hollensteiner Dr. Bob and Dr. Barbara Hollmann Neil and Candy '90 Holt Dr. Harry '69 and Susan Hom Alan Hyers Albert Hyers ITT Industries, Inc. Christina Jennings Thomas and Pamela '77 Joehler Lawrence and Margaret Johnson Joan Johnston Laura Jones Joseph M Dowling, CPA KLT Foundation Jon and Brenda Kaspari Dr. David '68 and Sue Kearns J. William '61 and Anita Kearns Bradley Keats James and Margaret Keller Patricia Killackey Kari Kimball Charlie Knoepfler and Christy Kindom Daniel and Christine King John and Cheryl King Cheryl Kingen Larry and Sharon Kolb Boyd and Susan LaFleur Neal Laatsch James and Cynthia Laduke Richard and Willa '81 Lande Melissa Lane Michael Larson COL Kenneth '63 and Dianne '65 Lawrence Dr. Thomas and Alice Layne Steve Roberts and Pat Leach Guy Leadbetter '88 Nancy Leamond Whitney Leibenguth '88 Roger and Dana Leopold Dennis '73 and Angela Lind Kip and Karen Linder Robert and Paula Lindner Tim '75 and Darla Lindsey Jed '82 and Jorrun '84 Liston Harry and Norma Longwell Jo Lyons MDU Resources Foundation Craig and Elizabeth MacDonald Marathon Oil Company Steven and Julie Mariani James '86 and Karen '83 Marks Ron Marsh John and Michele '92 Marshall Roger '71 and Barbara Martens Louise Matthews Frank and Susan '65 Matule David and Cheryl McBride McBride Vision Clinic Robert McCarty Donald and Susan McConchie Michael '72 and Mary McDonough Timothy and Catherine McGinness Debra McGowan Maureen McIntyre James McLeod '89 Donna Metcalf '35 Michael and Joanne Michals Microsoft Corporation Christian Miller Sheldon and Elizabeth Miller John and Cathy Milligan Clifford and Lisa Milliron Robert and Sue Minor Missoula Downtown Lions Club

Dr. Donald Moen William Moore and Patricia Hunter Richard and Laurie Morrison Jack '71 and Nancy Morton James '81 and Bonnie '83 Mountain Robert and Paula Munson Robert Murray and Merry Gilbert Bill Mytty Kevin Mytty Maria Naughton Helen Nelson Estate '51 Donald Newport Gib '60 and Sarah '60 Nichols Alan and Nancy Nicholson Nimbus Vision Clinic LLC Roy and Paula Nirschel Jerry '73 and Janice Norskog William and Frances Novelli Dr. Gary and Katherine '68 Nygaard Kevin O'Connell Ivan '50 and Marian '51 O'Neil A.P. and Julia Ogburn Kathryn Ogren '70 Jeffrey and Lynn Olesen John '62 and Marilyn Olson Melissa Oman Lane Evelyn Osborn '32 Randall and Margaret Otte P.E.O. Chapter A M Ronald '58 and Judy Paige David Pals William '65 and Cheryl '66 Papesh Sam and Margery Papich Craig and Linda Patrick John and Gail Paul Kelly Paulson Mary Paulson '65 Lore Perez Patricia Raye Perry '69 Ray Peters Dr. Michael and Gay Peterson Jamie Phillips '79 Eileen Pinkerton Laird and Julie Pisto Port Polson Inn John and Colleen Powers Jay and Elizabeth Preston Brentt and Linda Ramharter Benjamin and Lynn Rassieur Carl Rebich Ralph '49 and Arlene Rees Patrick '81 and Diana Risken John Robideaux Matthew Robinson Frank Rodriguez Rodney and Janice Rogers Carl and Patricia Rosenleaf James and Roseanne Rosenthal John and Karma Rouse Scott and Teresa Roussin Ted and Deb Rozeboom Keith and Nancy Rupert John Rust Steven and Lori Saltz Philip and Marilyn Sarasqueta Jeff Anderson and Elizabeth Scanlin '77 Edward and Jennifer Schall Kathy Schaub '81 Chris and Ann Schiltz Donald and Valerie Schmidt Patricia and Dr. Stephen Schnall Eric and Donna Schneider Bernd Schulte '65 K. Dale '68 and Judy Schwanke Dr. Tom '74 and Barbara '75 Seekins C. John Seymour Richard and Jane Shaine

Richard '69 and Laela Shimer Bronson Shonk John and Mary Siciliano John and Carol Sieber Philip and Elizabeth Simensen Ronald '60 and Myrna '60 Simon Robert '77 and Shirley '99 Simonson L. Randolph Skidmore Everit '66 and Nichali '65 Sliter Tom and Ralene Sliter Shana Smith '84 Soroptimist International of Missoula William Spence Kristie Stanhope Mark Staples '71 Staples Law Firm, P.C. State Bank of Townsend Mike and Karen Stevenson John '59 and Kay '59 Stipe Joseph Stout John Stump Dr. John and Kay Sullivan Steven Sullivan '73 Molly Swock Greg and Jan Tannheimer Dr. Clark Taylor Allen and Amy Thieme Bryan and Lisa Thomas Nancy Thompson William and Toni Thomson Mark '88 and Anne Timmons Bryan Tipp '85 Richard and Cynthia Trachy Alan and Karen Traeholt Dr. Douglas Traub Gene '65 and Colleen Tripp Dr. Donald and Dr. Lenore '54 Tsang Bernie and Lisa Tuggle John '64 and Mary Ellen '64 Turmell Dr. Patrick and Deborah Turski Karl Tyler UM Bookstore Tony and CleAnn Unden University Faculty Association UnumProvident Corporation Warren '48 and Jane '42 Vaughan William '70 and Kathryn '70 Veazey Linda Vopicka Joclyn Wampler Christopher '97 and Lorelei '99 Warden Dennis and Phyllis '64 Washington Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation Richard and Sandra Webel Ken and Kelly Weber Dr. Kenneth '73 and Karen Welt Western Excavating, Inc. Ed Wetherbee David Wheeler Estate '76 Whispering Pines Condominiums, LLP William and Jeanne Whitlow Kathleen Whittenberger Dr. Virginia Wilhelm Estate '43 Eli Willcox and Marva Mitchell-Willcox Lynn Williams Todd and Deborah Willis Amanda Wilson Maja Wilson Shelby Wilson Stewart Wilson Kathryn Witkowsky '95 Dora Wood '41 Woodlakes Homeowners Association Michael and Alberta Yalon Max '60 and Harriet '62 Yandt Wes Sprunk and Jody Zadra '64

8 Student Affairs News

American Indian Student Services

Campus Recreation

Career Services

Curry Health Center

Dean of Students

Disability Services for Students

Enrollment Services

Financial Aid

Foreign Student & Scholar Services

Griz Card

Residence Life

University Center

University Dining Services

CONTACT US

Phone: 406-243-5225 Email: ssprague@mso.umt.edu Website: www.umt.edu/sa

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE

PAID MISSOULA, MT PERMIT NO. 100 Division of Student Affairs

University Hall 022 The University of Montana Missoula, MT 59812

You can make a donation to Student Affairs through the UM Foundation by visiting www.umt.edu/sa and

clicking on the secure link “Giving to Student Affairs.”

Thank you for your support!

E-technology (cont.)

student along with a Book Port containing the downloaded

e-text.

Surprisingly, the vast majority of students who request

text conversion have not used the technology before. In

fact, many students are unaware of the service until they

speak with DSS’s assistant director Dan Burke. Dan says

that because disability stigmas still exist, some students

are reluctant to use the accommodation. However, e-text

is gaining in popularity. Students who have utilized the

technology are very pleased with the results.

(Continued from page 4)