To the Campus Community,

The University of Montana embarked on Strategic Enrollment Planning (SEP) this year. SEP is a data-informed process that encompasses the entirety of the student life cycle, including student recruitment and student success in addition to academic programs. The process is endorsed by President Bodnar and Vice President Lasiter as the path for planned, long-term enrollment and fiscal health for the University.

If you have ideas about new or restructured academic programs that could increase student enrollment at UM, please consider submitting a proposal for SEP review. Proposal due dates are January 7, February 11, and/or March 11, 2022. You can propose a new program or a modification to an existing program or programs.

To learn more about the proposal development and review process, please

• Complete this online form to indicate your interest and request a meeting with request a meeting with Mary Kreta, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Strategic Initiatives.
• Consider inviting VP Kreta to a faculty meeting or a pre-spring semester retreat. VP Kreta is eager to share more information and advice on developing academic program proposals for SEP Steering Committee review. Please use this online form to contact VP Kreta.

If you’re interested in learning more about SEP in general, you can

• Sign up for the SEP Recap session VP Kreta is hosting from noon-1 p.m. Thursday, December 16 via Zoom, and
• Talk to faculty colleagues who have served on SEP committees this semester.

The SEP Steering Committee’s review of academic program proposals should integrate with regular University curriculum review processes. For academic program proposals recommended for action by the SEP Steering Committee, the Office of the Provost will follow up and guide you through next steps in the curriculum review process. Depending on their nature, proposals could undergo Faculty Senate or Board of Regents review as early as spring 2022.

Please seize this opportunity! I expect your deans will also encourage you to learn more about SEP and consider submitting proposals in early spring. I look forward to reviewing and supporting your most innovative and exciting ideas.

Sincerely,

Reed Humphrey, Acting Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs