Northern Offers Elementary Ed Program in Great Falls
Spring 2001

"Northern has offered some education classes in Great Falls since 1993, " stated Darlene Sellers, Dean of Education. "In fact, the professional education core has been a consistent and popular major there, with more than 30 students currently declaring education as their major." However, to complete their degree through Northern, students have had to transfer to Havre.

Most students in the program would rather stay in Great Falls, (according to a recent survey). The majority are "place-bound" and can't easily leave their homes, work and families to complete their degree in another town. And although the University of Great Falls offers this degree, many of the students who attend MSU-Northern there do so because it is more affordable than the private institution.

In March of last year, the Great Falls based students, accompanied by education faculty and others made their request before the Board of Regents. "We had a number of students in the Great Falls area who said they would like Northern to bring their entire elementary ed program down there because we can't afford the program at the University of Great Falls," explained Board of Regents member Lynn Hamilton. "One of the regents' major philosophical points is accessibility for students." The request was granted, but it was vetoed by the University of Great Falls, an action permitted by "Policy 220" of the Board of Regents "Process for Review of University Activities".

The Northern students and faculty reaffirmed their conviction that bringing the degree was indeed in the best interest of the general public, stressing the program's affordability, accessibility and academic excellence.

The Regents reconsidered their policy which allowed private institutions veto power and revised it, stating that while the University System is obligated to provide notification, colleges and communities served by the system only need to be informed of their decisions, not consulted. Hamilton explained that "they do have an opportunity to still object, and their opinions will be taken into consideration."

The regents granted Northern their request to deliver a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education to MSU-Northern in Great Falls.

"I think this opens up a lot of opportunities for education students in Great Falls," said Hamilton. "We are all aware of the looming teacher shortage, so we are sensitive to this appeal. I think it gives Northern and the University of Great Falls a lot of opportunities to work together, to open up communication and to support education in Great Falls.

"I think the fact that this is coming to Great Falls is going to make both programs better. As long as we keep what's best for the students first on the agenda, we're doing the right thing."

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