Members of public push back against guns on college campuses in Montana
Keila Szpaller
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Lindy Kolb, who has worked as a resident advisor at Montana State University, said she has faced belligerent students she is documenting for conduct violations.
Kolb said she was deeply concerned about a draft board policy to implement a law that allows guns on campus, and she said it’s inevitable that a person will be harmed as a result.
“Guns are tools, but so are hot plates, and we don’t allow those in the residence halls for safety reasons,” Kolb said.
Wednesday, a committee of the Montana Board of Regents held a listening session on the draft policy to implement a bill that allows open and concealed carry in public places in Montana, including public campuses. The call included roughly two hours of public comment, and Regent Brianne Rogers said nearly 600 people had tuned into the meeting.
SKYLAR RISPENS
At a public meeting Wednesday, a Montana University System Board of Regents committee received overwhelming feedback to maintain its current policy or pursue litigation regarding a controversial bill concerning concealed carry of firearms passed by the Montana Legislature.
About 600 people attended the listening session virtually and nearly 75 people provided public comment for the Board of Regents Academic, Research and Student Affairs committee on its draft policy for implementing House Bill 102, which Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed into law in February.
For every comment that offered support for the draft policy to allow guns on campus, there were nearly 11 comments in opposition.
Trustees Sworn In For Montana s Newest Community College
Trustees of the new Bitterroot Valley Community College district took their oath of office this week. They’re now preparing to build the state’s first independent community college in more than 50 years.
Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen led the seven trustees in taking their oath of office in the first official action of the new college board.
Clayton Christian, commissioner of state higher education, welcomed the trustees.
“[I] appreciate all of your efforts to make this dream come true after nearly 10 years in the Bitterroot Valley. It’ll be a great addition to the Montana University System in a much different capacity than you held before.”
BOZEMAN, Mont. â The Montana University System released a draft policy for the board of regents consideration on how they look to implement the controversial campus firearm carry law.
You can find the full proposed draft policy here and the Montana University System (MUS) has until June 1 to review public feedback, revise the new policy and vote to implement a final policy.
Gov. Greg Gianforte signed House Bill 102, the new firearm carry law, into effect on Feb. 18Â allowing residents and nonresidents 18 or older to concealed carry a firearm throughout the state without a permit.
On Wednesday, more than 500Â people attended a virtual listening session providing public feedback to a student affairs committee with the board of regents on the draft policy.
Montana State agriculture announces 2021 field days
From MSU News Service BOZEMAN The Montana State University College of Agriculture and Montana Agricultural Experiment Station have announced the dates for their annual agricultural field days, which will return as in-person events after being hosted virtually in 2020. “We are so excited to be bringing back our in-person field days this year,” said Darrin Boss, head of the Department of Research Centers and superintendent of the Northern Agricultural Research Center. “These events are always a highlight for all of us because they offer one of our best chances to meet with our stakeholders and community members, share our research activities and hear their thoughts and questions.”