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SB 210

Revise board of regents laws to remove statutory requirement for student regent

2025 Regular Session Introduced by John Fuller

Eliminates Montana's statutory requirement for a student regent on the Board of Regents, removing guaranteed student voice in higher education governance decisions.

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Bill Summary · SB 210

Legislative bill overview

SB 210 would remove the Montana statutory requirement that the Board of Regents include a student regent position. Currently, state law mandates at least one student representative serve on the board that oversees Montana's higher education system. This bill eliminates that mandate, leaving the board's composition entirely to discretionary appointments.

Why is this important

Student regents provide direct voice in decisions affecting tuition, campus policies, and educational priorities. Removing the statutory requirement could reduce student input in higher education governance, potentially shifting board focus away from student perspectives on issues like affordability and campus conditions.

Potential points of contention

  • Student representation loss: Advocates argue removing the mandate eliminates guaranteed student voice in decisions directly affecting their education and costs, while supporters may contend students can still be appointed without a legal requirement
  • Board composition flexibility: Proponents claim discretionary appointments allow governors/leadership to balance board expertise more freely; critics worry this enables systematic exclusion of student perspectives from governance
  • Democratic participation: Removal raises questions about whether statutory student representation is a matter of good governance principle or an unnecessary constraint on executive appointment authority

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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