MSU
AUGUST 2018
SURVIVAL 2018 GUIDE
MSU SURVIVAL GUIDE
A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE BOZEMAN DAILY CHRONICLE
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MSU SURVIVAL GUIDE
AUGUST 2018
MSU Fast Facts 2018 By Gail Schontzler
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
»» Founded 1893: 125 years ago »» Traditional nicknames: “The Bobcats” and “Moo U” »» Trademarked nicknames: “Trout U” and “University of the Yellowstone” »» Enrollment (fall 2017): 16,703 (11th record in 12 years) »» Male students: 53% (down 2% from 2016) »» Female students: 47% (up 2%) »» Undergraduates: 14,725 »» Graduate students: 1,978 »» Montanans: 8,821 students, or 53% »» Out-of-staters: 7,212, or 43%
CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO
With classes starting this week, Montana State is expecting another year of record enrollment. The university’s Montana Hall is pictured here.
»» International: 670, or 4%, from 72 countries
»» Sophomores returning after freshman year: 76.9% (up 1%)
»» Research spending 2016-2017: $130.8 million (a new record)
»» Native Americans: 712 students, 4%
»» Freshman average high school GPA: 3.51
»» Student-faculty ratio: 19:1
»» Hispanics: 667 students, 4%
»» Average ACT score: 25.1
»» Tenure and tenure-track: 503
»» Asians: 158 students, 1%
»» Average SAT score: 1,141
»» Adjuncts: 526
»» African Americans: 75 students, 1%
»» Total degrees and certificates awarded (2017): 3,180
»» Research faculty: 42
»» Montana undergraduate tuition and fees: $7,278 a year (up $128 from last year) »» Out-of-state undergrad tuition and fees: $24,992 (up $692) »» On-campus room & board: $10,100 (up $850) »» Books and supplies: $1,450 »» Total estimated one-year cost for Montanans: $22,530 »» Total one-year cost for out-of-state: $40,244
»» Average bachelor’s degree salary (2016): $42,811 »» Average master’s degree salary: $47,391
»» Department heads, directors: 33 »» Administrators (president, VPs, deans, directors): 63
»» Average doctorate salary: $70,321
»» Total MSU employees (including graduate assistants): 4,082
»» MSU-Bozeman budget state contribution FY18: $60.3 million, 26.8% (lowest of MT campuses)
»» Campus diverting waste from landfill: 19.2% (up from 9.5%; goal is 25%)
»» MSU-Bozeman budget student tuition revenue: $164.5 million, 72%
»» Students taking out loans: 55% (down from 66% in 2012)
»» MSU-Bozeman budget out-of-state students’ tuition (includes WUE): $106.8 million, 46.7%
»» Average debt for students who borrow: $27,254 (down $1,209 from last year)
»» MSU-Bozeman budget in-state students’ tuition: $52.1 million, 22.8% of budget
»» Six-year graduation rate: 52.1% (down 0.8 % from previous year; MSU’s goal is 65%)
»» General operating budget 2017-2018: $228.3 million
»» Reducing greenhouse gases: 60,629 metric tons (down from 64,400; goal 20% reduction) »» Sources: MSU Quick Facts, Common Data Set, 2016 Career Destinations Report, MSU Budget reports, Regents’ agenda September 2017, MSU research press release, MSU Strategic Plan, MSU News Office. Gail Schontzler can be reached at 406-582-2633 or gails@dailychronicle.com.
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Cruzado expects moderate growth By Gail Schontzler
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
Ask Waded Cruzado if she has any plans to retire from Montana State University, and she laughs. She points out that 85-year-old Ruth Bader Ginsburg recently suggested she may stay on the U.S. Supreme Court until she’s 90. And that more than a century ago, Charles Eliot served as Harvard’s president for 40 years. Cruzado, 58, MSU president for eight and a half years, smiles as she gives a sunny forecast for the upcoming year. “I am very happy, very impressed with the many accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff,” she said, sitting in her office in Montana Hall. “Montana State University is in a very good place, thanks to the work of many people.” MSU has been on a roll, hitting enrollment records for 11 years in a row, surpassing the University of Montana as the state’s largest campus, winning research grants and building an impressive number of new college, dormitory and dining buildings, often paid for with millions of dollars from generous alumni. The Bobcats even beat the rival Grizzlies in football the last two years. Cruzado said enrollment for this fall appears to be on track to meet the estimate of 1.4 percent growth, or about 50 to 100 more students. During her tenure, MSU has grown to 16,703 students, an increase of more than 30 percent. “Moderate” growth, she said, “is our goal.” MSU will continue celebrating its 125th anniversary this year, which will be capped by opening the new engineering and honors college building, Norm Asbjornson Hall, on Dec. 14, the day before winter commencement. The new Rendezvous dining hall
RACHEL LEATHE/CHRONICLE
Montana State University President Waded Cruzado poses for a portrait in her office on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, in Montana Hall.
opened Aug. 13. Groundbreaking for a new $50 million, 480-bed dormitory is planned Sept. 6. MSU isn’t constructing “buildings for the sake of buildings,” Cruzado said. Whether they work in the dorms or on food service or grounds crews, she said, “Everyone understands what they do has a direct impact on whether students are going to stay in school and be successful and graduate on time.” The 2019 Montana Legislature will convene in January, and MSU will try for the fourth time to win some $30 million to renovate the nearly century-old Romney Hall into modern classrooms to teach all those students. “Repurposing Romney is not only the necessary thing to do, it’s the responsible thing to do,” Cruzado said. “I don’t feel Romney has failed,” she said. Rather, it’s been one project in larger state bonding bills, which have failed because they need a super-majority vote to pass and lawmakers have been reluctant to take on debt. Around the state, she said, many people have told her they understand “it is time to get Romney done.”
MSU has done what the Legislature has asked it to do, she said, by serving the state and raising student retention and graduation rates. An important measure for the Montana University System will be on the November ballot, asking voters to renew for another 10 years the 6-mill property tax that raises $20 million a year for state campuses. If it fails, MSU would lose $5.5 million to $6 million a year, said Tracy Ellig, MSU vice president for university communications. “It would be a huge loss for all the campuses and a consequential loss for Montana State University,” Cruzado said. “I am optimistic the public understands how important their support is… It’s not a new tax.” She rejects the idea that MSU’s growth may be hurting the quality of education. “Absolutely not,” she said. “Even though we are admitting more students, we are retaining more students than ever in MSU history and graduating more students.” MSU’s website suggests that the Bozeman campus is relying heavily on non-tenured, adjunct instructors,
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AUGUST 2018
RACHEL LEATHE/CHRONICLE
Montana State University President Waded Cruzado poses for a portrait in her office on Wednesday, August 1, 2018, in Montana Hall.
who last year outnumbered tenure-track professors by 526 to 503. That’s not a fair comparison, because adjuncts often teach only one or two classes, said Michael Becker, university spokesman. When parttime jobs are converted to the fulltime equivalent, MSU has 447 nontenure-track and 578 tenure-track faculty members. And Ellig argued adjunct instructors aren’t inferior as educators. MSU does very well compared to other research universities, where typically only 40 percent of faculty members are tenure track, Cruzado said. “We don’t have second-class citizens.” Cruzado is one of the highest paid state employees, which rankles some who earn at the bottom of the pay scale. She said MSU has a committee trying to improve staff pay, and
has sought to raise up some of the very lowest paid employees. But decisions about state employee pay are largely up to the Legislature, she said, adding that she’s pleased that the staff has received at least modest raises every year of her tenure. One of Cruzado’s toughest days personally came last September when Hurricane Irma struck her native Puerto Rico. The worst part was the complete silence for four days after it knocked out electric power and telephone lines. Her daughter was finally able to phone and say that her family and two granddaughters were OK.
who might not seem like “college material,” yet who have a chance to succeed in college and change their lives, thanks to the Hilleman program that surrounds them with “rigor and love.” “I think it’s such a powerful message, about the power of the landgrant university,” Cruzado said.
“Bobcats, Grizzlies, people all over the state expressed their empathy,” Cruzado said. “It really touched me.”
“To me the Hilleman Scholars are the perfect example of what happens when we raise our periscope and think, not about quality in the classroom, but quality in society. Society will always be better when we have more educated people and we don’t leave people behind. It benefits all of us.”
Now Cruzado is looking forward to welcoming MSU’s third group of 50 Hilleman scholars, students
Gail Schontzler can be reached at 406-582-2633 or gails@dailychronicle.com.
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AUGUST 2018
MSU SURVIVAL GUIDE
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MSU opens $18 million By Gail Schontzler
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
Kara Landolfi said she felt “super excited” as she helped greet hundreds of hungry people at this month’s opening of Rendezvous, Montana State University’s newest and largest $18.2 million dining hall. “I think it’s going to be one of the greatest gathering spots on campus,” said Landolfi. She is farm-to-campus coordinator for MSU, bringing Montana-grown beef and bison, lentils, carrots and other foods to campus kitchens. “It’s amazing food,” she said, “and it’s a really cool building.” Rendezvous will also be MSU’s most sustainable dining hall. No throwaway coffee cups will be used in its coffee shop. Instead customers will be urged to bring refillable mugs or donate reusable mugs. No throwaway straws are planned. Food waste will be composted, in partnership with the city. In the side room for collecting dirty dishes, metal funnels make it easy to scrape uneaten food into composting containers. The new 830-seat dining hall is intended to contribute to MSU’s drive to recruit and keep students, said Tom Stump, associate vice president of auxiliary services, who welcomed more than 700 visitors to the opening ceremony. As student President Taylor Blossom said, the dining hall is where new students find that strangers become friends, where “you build your college family.” The 30,000-square-foot dining hall was built between the Johnstone Center dorms and Chemistry and Biochemistry building. Money to build it came — not from taxpayer or tuition dollars — but from money MSU charges students who use dorms and dining halls for repair and replacement, and bond debt that’s covered by those auxiliary funds. Stump said Rendezvous’ opening marks the culmination of about seven years of work. Years ago, he said, MSU President Waded Cruzado challenged his team to make the food service more sustainable and the dining and dorm facilities better. Women’s basketball coach Tricia Binford also urged him to check out rival colleges’ facilities, saying MSU’s weren’t up to par. Cruzado called the new dining pavilion, featuring
ADRIAN SANCHEZ-GONZALEZ/MSU
Faculty, students and staff fill up the main dining area during the grand opening of Rendezvous Dining Pavilion on Monday at Montana State University. modern, sleek lines and lots of glass, “one of the most beautiful buildings in our state.” She said she “marveled at the elegance of the design” by Mosaic Architecture as well as the landscaping. Everything about it, she said, “radiates quality, light, life and energy.” Cruzado thanked everyone who works to make MSU the “university of choice for the best students in Montana and the region.” MSU has grown steadily in the past decade to become the state’s largest campus and expects to grow modestly again this fall. Rich Huffman, culinary services director, was excited to show off Rendezvous’ eight food stations. Food is made from scratch, not popped from a can or freezer, he said, like when he was growing up. One Eleven, named for MSU’s longitude, serves coffee and pastries, and professors and other customers who aren’t on the meal plan are welcome to stop in and buy espresso and desserts — like Monday’s crème brûlée. The 89’er Diner, named for the year Montana became a state, offers burgers, fries and shakes. Forge 406, decorated with Montana cattle brands, has a smoker and rotisserie. Rosso offers pizza. XO (pronounced “zo”) serves Asian and Middle Eastern dishes. Etcetera has salads and sandwiches. Razz serves smoothies and fresh fruit. De La Mesa serves Mexican dishes and fresh-baked tortillas, made with dough from the local On The Rise bakery. Upstairs there’s lots of seating, plus a sports lounge with TV screens — “like Buffalo Wild Wings without the beer,” Huffman joked. There’s a ski lounge area with a fireplace and map of Big Sky ski runs. The outdoor patio upstairs offers views of the mountains to the north and to the south, the Bobcat Spirit sculpture and
Montana Hall. Langlas Construction finished the job early, Huffman said. The biggest challenge for Rendezvous, he said, has been hiring staff. Gallatin County has a 2.3 percent unemployment rate, one of the lowest in the state, and fast-food restaurants are offering $15 an hour. “We have competitive wages, but not the highest wages,” Huffman said, so he stresses benefits, like some free tuition for full-time workers. Rendezvous got high marks from Brian Jore, a senior in computer science. He used to work at the old Harrison dining hall, which will now be used to teach culinary arts classes. “It surpassed my expectations,” Jore said. “All the different venues are amazing.” “I love the upstairs and downstairs seating,” said Makenna Daniels, an early child development major. Bob Burrows and Brittany Selvig from the Bozeman School District’s food service program, liked what they saw. “This is great, this is state of the art,” Burrows said. “You can tell a lot of planning went into this. A lot of attention to detail.” “Amazing,” Selvig said. Huffman even showed off the napkins — brown paper, non-bleached, compostable napkins. And on the back is printed, “Eat your veggies. Love, Mom.” Gail Schontzler can be reached at 406-582-2633 or gails@dailychronicle.com.
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AUGUST 2018
More MSU students seeking mental health counseling By Gail Schontzler CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
More and more Montana State University students are seeking counseling for anxiety, suicidal thoughts and other mental health problems. Yet that may actually be a good sign that students are overcoming the stigma of asking for help when they need it, says Betsy Asserson, director of MSU’s counseling and psychological services and a licensed psychologist. “At MSU in the last three years, we’ve seen a 35 percent increase in clients, while enrollment has increased 8 percent,” Asserson said. “There are students struggling – and they’re doing a good job of reaching out for help,” she said. “They’re doing exactly what we’ve asked them to do.” This past year MSU counselors saw more than 1,700 students – slightly more than 10 percent of the 16,700-student enrollment. That’s about 500 students more than the 1,243 students counseled three years ago. “It goes up every year,” she said. MSU’s numbers are increasing somewhat faster than the national trend. USA Today reported that while college enrollments grew 5.6 percent over five years, the number of students seeking mental health services increased an average of 30 to 40 percent. The Center for Collegiate Mental Health reported in 2017 that students’ top concern was anxiety, followed by depression, relationship problems, stress and family. In a state with one of the highest suicide rates in the nation, MSU has put a lot of effort into suicide prevention, Asserson said.
RACHEL LEATHE/CHRONICLE
Dr. Betsy Asserson, Interim Director of MSU Counseling and Psychological Services, says there was an 18 percent increase in the number of clients who visited their offices in October compared to the same period last year.
Out of MSU’s 1,700 students seeking counseling, 34 percent reported having seriously considered suicide. That’s significantly higher than the 7 percent of MSU’s general student population who reported suicidal thoughts. To better serve growing numbers of students, the counseling office has made several changes, Asserson said. It has made more than 500 crisis appointments available, so that students at risk can get in right away to talk with a counselor and be safe. It’s training more general people on campus – staff, faculty, resident assistants and others – to recognize students who might be struggling. It offers a onehour training called QPR, which encourages people to “question, persuade and refer” troubled students to the counseling center. It also added an eight-hour training called Mental Health First Aid, because many lay people wanted more in-depth training. “MSU as a community is doing a really great job building a culture of support,” Asserson said. Another reason counseling numbers may be up is that the counseling center and the student health center have integrated their services under the name University Health Partners. That means when students see a doctor or nurse for a sprained ankle, they will also be screened for mental health issues like depression. About 15 percent of
student medical patients do have depression and are then referred to counselors. The whole campus has worked to end the stigma surrounding mental health problems, and to send a message that, “Everyone struggles, it’s OK to struggle and it’s OK to talk about it,” Asserson said. “In Montana there still tends to be a mentality of not talking about things.” When she first started working at the counseling center in 2001, it had eight to 10 counselors. Today its staff has grown to 18 and another position will be added next year. Several counselors have to share offices. There are also two satellite counseling offices in the Hedges dormitories. Some students like seeing counselors in the dorms, or in the Veterans Center, Asserson said, but some definitely do not want to be seen there. Most students need only three to five sessions with counselors, Asserson said. Students’ sessions are free and confidential. For more information about the MSU Counseling & Psychological Services, visit its upstairs office at 211 Swingle Hall, or its website (www.montana.edu/ wwwcc/) or call 994-4531. Gail Schontzler can be reached at 406-582-2633 or gails@dailychronicle.com.
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MSU convocation features popular Harvard professor By MSU News Service Montana State University’s Aug. 23 convocation will feature Michael Sandel, one of Harvard University’s most popular professors. Sandel’s lecture, “What IS the right thing to do,” is free. However, the general public must reserve tickets at the Bobcat Ticket Office or any Ticketswest outlet. There will be a small handling charge for tickets ordered over the phone, online or at Rosauers grocery store. One of Foreign Policy’s Top 100 Global Thinkers, Sandel has been described as the “most relevant living philosopher.” Newsweek called him a “rock-star moralist” and New Republic called him “the most famous teacher of philosophy in the world.” His writings on justice, ethics, democracy and markets have been translated into 27 languages. A master at bringing the Socratic method to contemporary issues, Sandel’s popular course, “Justice,” is the first Harvard course to be made freely available online and on television. It has been viewed by tens of millions of people around the world, including in China, where Sandel was named the most influential foreign figure of the year by Chinese Newsweek. Sandel is also an author of several bestselling books. Among them are “What Money Can’t Buy: The Moral Limits of Markets” and “Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?” The latter book is MSU’s 2018 book for first-year students. David Singel, MSU’s senior vice provost for academic affairs, said convocation has been scheduled so that families bringing students to MSU can participate in convocation.
STEPHANIE MITCHELL/HARVARD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Michael Sandel is pictured inside Memorial Hall at Harvard University. Montana State University’s Aug. 23 convocation will feature Sandel, one of Harvard University’s most popular professors.
“We prize the participation of families and community members in welcoming new students to MSU,” Singel said. “Professor Sandel will inspire our new students and lifelong learners who welcome them to engage in discussion of big questions with civility, discovering and appreciating how different values and experiences shape distinct perspectives.” MSU President Waded Cruzado said Sandel’s dynamic ability to engage even the largest audiences with issues of moral relevance will be inspiring to all who attend the lecture. “Michael Sandel is among the most prominent college professors in America,” Cruzado said. “His message will be a powerful introduction to intellectual thought to our incoming students as they begin their journey in higher education.” Convocation tickets are available at all Bobcat ticket
outlets including: the Bobcat Ticket Office, Rosauers, the AskUs Desk at the Strand Union Building, by calling 994-CATS or 800-325-7328 and online at www. ticketswest.com. There will be a limit of four tickets per person and organizers say about 2,000 tickets will be available to the public. Tickets for large groups of people are available for a small fee. More information is available at the Bobcat Ticket Office. Members of MSU’s freshman class have reserved seats and will not need tickets to attend the lecture. All other students may use any of the ticket outlets to access tickets. MSU faculty and staff may request tickets located in an area designated for MSU faculty and staff by visiting the Bobcat Ticket Office or calling 994-CATS.
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AUGUST 2018
Financial tips for the cash-strapped student By Chronicle Staff GET A JOB ON CAMPUS This task is often a lot easier than it sounds. Visit the Office of Career Services in the SUB basement to look at recent postings on their bulletin board. You can also go to their hire-a-bobcat interface on the MSU website to search through hundreds of local and on-campus jobs available to students. VISIT A CAMPUS FINANCE COACH At MSU, students are fortunate to have access to oneon-one financial mentoring. Financial coaches are available for appointments through the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success and can help you manage your money in college. Visit their office in the SUB or email makechange@montana.edu to set up an appointment. TAKE MORE CLASSES IN A SEMESTER Say what? That’s right. At MSU, taking any classes after you have enrolled in 12 credits is free. That means
you could take up to three extra classes per semester at no cost to you. By taking just three extra credits (one class) a semester, you could get a minor for free. MSU estimates non-resident students could save over $41,000 through this program in four years. Attend a career fair Twice during the fall semester, MSU holds large career fairs in the SUB ballrooms. Students can interact both with local businesses and big-name companies like Boeing. Be sure to print copies of your resume and dress professionally. CREATE A BUDGET How much money do you currently have at your disposal? How much would you like to save, spend and invest? These are starting questions to help you craft a personal budget. Some people allot themselves a certain amount of money per week. Others track their spending mentally or with apps like Mint to monitor their spending habits. Try to write down everything you purchase for a week to get a general idea of your monthly expenses.
BE WARY OF CREDIT CARDS Credit card companies often target young people. They know college students are more likely to be impulsive and irresponsible than older adults, and they tend to market heavily to that age group. Buying on credit and building up a credit score can be a very positive and important thing, that is, if you are certain you can pay off your bills. Many college students use debit cards or cosign with a parent. If you choose to sign up for a credit card, keep a close eye on your bank account and set a reminder about when to make payments. Falling down the deep hole of debt and interest is a slippery and unfortunate slope. FIND THE FREE STUFF Colleges are constantly offering events that include free food, T-shirts, etc. Freebies are easily found in the first few weeks of school, but you may need to be a little creative after that. Check the school calendar to stay up-to-date with freebie events. Chronicle Staff Writer
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Getting in deep A guide to local skiing By Lewis Kendall
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
If you’re going to school in Montana, odds are you like to ski or snowboard. So here’s a primer to get you hyped for the best season of the year. BRIDGER BOWL Bridger Bowl, located 16 miles or around 30 minutes north of town, is considered by most to be Bozeman’s local ski hill. Enthusiasts helped establish the area — one of the few nonprofit mountains in the country — with a single lift in 1955, and it has since grown to include several lifts, which access 2,000 acres of terrain and 2,600 feet of vertical. One of the highlights of Bridger Bowl is the Ridge Terrain — the very top and sides of the mountain — which is accessible only by hiking from the top of several lifts. Though the area is controlled for avalanches and patrolled, riders are required to carry an avalanche beacon for any part of the Ridge. The mountain sees around 350 inches of annual snowfall, which usually includes regular dumps of light “cold smoke” powder. Day tickets run $63, and Bridger has several season pass offerings, including a young adult (ages 19-24) option for $640 and a midweek pass for $399. But you need to get on those early, as the prices go up after Oct. 15. For more casual riders, the Bridger Bowl Card ($65) offers discounted tickets throughout the season. For the eco-conscious or carless among us, the area also has a bus service that runs from outside the Strand Union Building every hour on the hour between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. or from the Gallatin County Fairgrounds on Oak Street at 15 minutes past the hour. On weekends and powder days, riders often hitchhike to the mountain starting from Rouse Avenue, though this method is certainly less dependable than the bus. BIG SKY RESORT The self-proclaimed “Biggest Skiing in America,” located around an hour’s drive south of Bozeman, includes 300 runs spanning 5,800 acres and more
than 4,300 feet of vertical. Aside from its sheer size and relatively small crowds, the resort prides itself on the diversity of its terrain. From short beginner runs to long, expansive interCHRONICLE FILE PHOTO mediate slopes, Allison Goebel snowboards off a terrain feature at Bridger Bowl in this Chronicle file photo. to white-knuckle chutes and couspending an afternoon in Philipsburg, where those loirs, the area has something for just about everyone. of age can check out some of Philipsburg Brewing From the top of the Lone Peak Tram at 11,166 feet, Company’s award-winning beers. riders with proper avalanche equipment can check out with ski patrol to access the resort’s most challenging runs, including the famous Big Couloir and OTHER RESOURCES the massive North Summit Snowfield. For riders considering trips into the backcountry, look no further than the Gallatin National Forest Day ticket prices are yet to be announced, but typiAvalanche Center, which issues daily snowpack and cally cost more than $100. avalanche hazard updates, as well as detailed maps, The Skyline Bus offers shuttle service between Bozephotos and videos — all for free. man and Big Sky Resort during the winter at a cost of The center also offers an avalanche education course, $5 per ride. Users can also purchase a punch pass or complete with a day of training on the mountain. For season pass for unlimited rides. more information, check out the GNFAC website at DISCOVERY SKI AREA mtavalanche.com. A two-hour drive west of Bozeman outside the town Kendall can be reached at lkendall@dailychronicle. of Philipsburg, Discovery offers another option for com. Kendall is on Twitter at @lewdak Montana skiers and snowboarders. And with 67 trails and 2,300 feet of vertical, the mountain is nothing to be sneezed at.
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Out of the three areas, Discovery is the most affordable option, with season passes for college students starting at $390 and full day tickets priced at $46. Make a day of it by
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MSU SURVIVAL GUIDE
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AUGUST 2018
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RECYCLE
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LIKE A CHAMP! Show your team spirit and pride in your community by recycling around campus and at home games. Help us reduce what goes to our local landfill! GREEN TOTES = RECYCLABLES (cans, plastic bottles, plastic cups)
BLUE TOTES = TRASH (pizza boxes, glass, plastic bags)
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MSU SURVIVAL GUIDE
No car, no problem – Streamline will get you there
AUGUST 2018
By Chronicle Staff Cruising to class or the ski hill or bar? Get there on Streamline’s yellow, retro-style buses.
and safety cameras.
Streamline offers free rides for all with lines to and from Bozeman, Belgrade, Four Corners, Livingston and seasonal service to downhill and cross-country ski areas.
Weekday service is offered Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tracking the bus you’re on or waiting for in real time, planning a trip, or just checking the schedule is possible by visiting streamlinebus.com or downloading the mobile phone app.
The Strand Union Building is the central hub for Streamline’s five, color-coded bus lines.
The bus service is financially supported by the city of Bozeman, the university and the student association. Each bus is equipped with a bike rack
The green line starts in Belgrade, travels south to
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S 7TH
GALLATIN VALLEY MALL
FALLON ST
TRANSFER POINTS
BUS DEPOT
CURTISS ST
HUFFINE LANE
DOWNTOWN HUB
BABCOCK
BABCOCK
POST OFFICE
LAREDO DR
OVERLAP
DOWNTOWN TRANSFER DT
13TH AVE
RESORT DR
FERGUSON AVE
BABCOCK
FOUR CORNERS & BELGRADE INSET
DT
BOZEMAN HIGH SCHOOL
MAIN ST
THE RIDGE
DIRECTION
LAMME ST
HASTINGS CENTER
TOWN PUMP
PEACH ST.
HUFFINE LANE ARROWHEAD
CITY BREW
OAK ST
OAK ST
OAK ST
ANNIE ST
DURSTON RD
DAY’S INN
WOODLAND DR
ANNIE
MEAGHER
YELLOWSTONE AVE
FERGUSON AVE
RENOVA
FRANK RD
(STAPLES LOT)
WAL-MART
(NORTH)
DR.
S. PINECREST
N
BELGRADE
NORTH 19TH AVE INSET
WALLACE
DAVIS LN
SO
N 7TH AVE.
IS
N 27TH AVE
W .M
MADISON AVE.
BUCKRAKE AVE
SOC. SEC.
C O’
O
MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES LOMAS
CHERRY
MENTAL HEALTH CAMPUS
AUGUST 2018
MSU SURVIVAL GUIDE
13
dents. Both go to the downtown transfer station near the night life spots before looping through Bozeman. Get on the blue line to also access retail stores on Seventh and 19th avenues. Hint: near the end of the blue line is a brewery.
Four Corners and then to the Gallatin Valley Mall before coming to the SUB. The yellow line starts at the mall and swings through Bozeman’s west side neighborhoods with stops along Yellowstone and Ferguson avenues before coming onto campus via West College Street. The orange line is a quick loop that connects the university to the east with stops at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, and the public library on East Main Street. The red and blue lines are the most popular for stu-
from the intersection of Seventh Avenue and Grant Street.
Streamline also offers free rides to two of Bozeman’s favorite ski areas – Bridger Bowl, for downhill skiers and riders, and Bohart Ranch, for the cross-country crowd.
The late night Upstream and Downtown line, which has a stop at the North Hedges dormitory, runs two buses Thursday through Saturday during the academic school year from 7:30 p.m to 2:30 a.m. The busiest night is New Year’s Eve.
A different bus service known as Skyline provides rides to Big Sky Resort for $5. Skyline leaves campus
Troy Carter can be reached at 582-2630 or tcarter@ dailychronicle.com. He’s on Twitter at @cartertroy.
LATENIGHT SERVICE GRIFFIN DR
OLD CHICAGO N 27TH AVE
DAVIS LN
BUCKRAKE AVE
COMMERCE WAY
THE FILLING STATION
NI
KL
TSCHACHE
OAK ST
MEAGHER
ROSE
N. 9TH AVE. LJ
IN S
BABCOCK
ST
KOCH
OC
H
RK PE
23RD AVE
K
COLLEGE ST
AVE
MAIN & ROUSE
MSU HEDGES COMPLEX
SPONSORED BY
LINCOLN
DOWNTOWN
UPSTREAM
More current schedule information and updates (406) 587-2434 OR streamlinebus.com
IL LS ON
BABCOCK & 19TH (LOAF & JUG)
CLEVELAND ST
STOP BOTH DIRECTIONS
KAGY BLVD
W
MR
HARRISON
MSU CAMPUS
TIA LANE
LJ
COMMON BUS STOP STOP ROUTES INCLUDED
COLLEGE ST
COLLEGE ST
S. 19TH AVE.
OVERLAP
MR
LOAF & JUG
ALBERTSON’S GROCERY
GALLATIN VALLEY MALL
MONTANA ALE WORKS
MENDENHALL MAIN ST
LEGEND
TRANSFER POINTS
BLACK
N VALLEY DR
MENDENHALL
BABCOCK
HUFFINE LN
BEALL ST LAMME ST
RAVALLI ST
DIRECTION
PEACH ST
VILLARD
BABCOCK
LAREDO
DURSTON RD
15TH AVE
COTTONWOOD
CASCADE
FAIRGROUNDS
HOLIDAY GAS STATION DURSTON
MICHAEL GROVE
TOOLE
HEMLOCK
JUNIPER
YELLOWSTONE AVE
DURSTON
WALMART OAK ST
RENOVA
Please visit www.streamlinebus.com for map and times.
DR
OAK ST
SANTA FE REDS
ANNIE
ES
CONOCO
HOMEWOOD SUITES
FERGUSON AVE
Summer schedule will be announced in Spring.
TOWN PUMP
BAXTER
LATENIGHT SERVICE: THURSDAY-SATURDAY
LATENIGHT PHONE (406) 580 2032 9 PM - 2:50 AM
DOWNTOWN ROUTE WHEAT DR
UPSTREAM ROUTE
KAGY BLVD
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MSU SURVIVAL GUIDE
AUGUST 2018
How to graduate in four years By Chronicle Staff LOAD UP Don’t shy away from signing up for a full load of courses. As a general rule, five classes a semester is a good way to set yourself on track for a four-year degree. However, it is important to pay attention to the number of credits offered per class, because some classes have more or less than the average of three credits. Try to take 15 credits a semester. USE YOUR AP SCORES Doing well on advanced placement tests in high school can give you a boost in college. Scoring a three or above on AP tests can earn you credit at MSU. Furthermore, some AP class-equivalent courses are prerequisites for higher level classes, which means you can take them earlier in college and not repeat something you have already learned. Be sure to send in your scores to the registrar to receive credit. TAKE GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FIRST Getting required core classes out of the way can help you focus on major-specific classes down the road. Additionally, taking a wide array of subjects in the beginning of your college career can help you narrow in on your interests and help you decide on a major. Some of the general classes are
also prerequisites for higher-level courses. PICK A MAJOR EARLY ON While this step is not required to graduate in four years, knowing what you want to major in early in college can help tremendously. Having a specific, or even general idea of what you wish to focus on will lead you in the right direction toward taking classes you need for your degree. If you know what you want to do, don’t be afraid to declare early and find an adviser.
MSU PHOTO BY KELLY GORHAM
An MSU graduation ceremony is shown in this file photo.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SUMMER CLASSES Attending school in the summer might sound like a bore, but summer classes are a great way to further your progress toward a degree. Summer classes are typically shorter than their fall and spring counterparts and can help you efficiently work toward completing your major. For students who work or leave Bozeman for the summer, try an online class. MEET WITH YOUR ADVISER Advisers are your resource to use, so make sure to ask for help. Academic advisers can help you plan your schedule, talk about your college path, and help you overcome bumps in the road. Try to meet with an adviser at least once a semester to stay on track for graduation. Chronicle Staff Writer
KELLY GORHAM/MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY
A Jake Jabs College of Business student celebrates Montana State University’s 124th commencement at the Fieldhouse.
AUGUST 2018
MSU SURVIVAL GUIDE
15
Top 10 things to do around Bozeman By Whitney Bermes
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
When you don’t have your nose stuck in your books studying for your next exam, get out and explore all that the Bozeman area has to offer. Here are the Top 10 things to do around Bozeman. HIT THE SLOPES We all know you didn’t come to Montana State University just for its world-class academics. The proximity to some of the best skiing in the world was probably a draw. So get out and hit the slopes at Bridger Bowl (16 miles from downtown Bozeman) or at Big Sky Resort (an easy hour drive south). TAKE A HIKE The number of hiking trails within a quick drive seems endless. From trails in town like the M, Drinking Horse or Peets Hill, to the Paradise Valley, Gallatin Canyon, Hyalite Canyon, Bridger Canyon, Bear Trap Canyon and Yellowstone National Park, there is no shortage of trails to explore. LISTEN TO LIVE MUSIC Bozeman has a rich selection of music venues that regularly bring amazing talents to town. DRINK SOME LOCALLY MADE BOOZE Bozeman has an excellent selection of local craft breweries, distilleries and even a cider house to help whet your whistle. TAKE IN A PLAY Don’t miss out on some incredible live theater experiences! Take in a play sometime at the Emerson Cultural Center, the Ellen Theater, the Verge Theater and the Black Box Theatre.
VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME Bozeman is an incredibly giving community. So join in on the philanthropy by giving your time to organizations like Thrive, the Gallatin Valley Food Bank, Haven, the Voice Center or Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter. EXPLORE DOWNTOWN Downtown Bozeman features a rich mix of unique stores, tasty restaurants and other quirky businesses. Make sure to spend some time exploring everything downtown has to offer. VISIT A MUSEUM Right near the MSU campus is the world-renowned Museum of the Rockies, featuring a great mix of dinosaur fossils and relics from Montana’s history. If you want something even more local, visit the Gallatin History Museum to learn about the riveting history of this area.
CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO
In this Chronicle file photo, visitors look up to take a photograph of “Big Mike” the Tyrannosaurus Rex outside the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman.
DAY TRIP OUTSIDE OF BOZEMAN Southwest Montana has amazing destinations within a day’s drive away. Hit the road and visit fun towns like Virginia City, Ennis, Livingston, Three Forks and more! HIT THE RIVER People come from all over the world to enjoy the Gallatin, Madison, Jefferson and Yellowstone rivers. And they are right at your fingertips. So spend some time fishing, floating or rafting on one of our beautiful rivers. Whitney Bermes can be reached at wbermes@dailychronicle.com or 582-2648. Follow her on Twitter at @wabermes.
RACHEL LEATHE/CHRONICLE
In this Chronicle file photo, a man fly fishes from the shore while a boat of fishermen drifts by on the Madison River.
16
MSU SURVIVAL GUIDE
AUGUST 2018
Water in Bozeman: The Big Picture Perched at the headwaters of the Missouri River Basin, Bozeman enjoys extremely high-quality water, almost straight from the source. Although our water is high quality, quantity is limited. With only 16 inches of average precipitation annually, Bozeman’s considered semi-arid and drought-prone.
Bozeman relies on snowpack for its water supply. 80% of our city’s water comes from snowmelt in the Hyalite Range which feeds Sourdough Creek and Hyalite Reservoir. The other 20% comes from a developed spring at the headwaters of Lyman Creek.
In fact, Bozeman could be facing a water shortage in the next 20 years. The City has identified water conservation as the single largest source of water for Bozeman’s future.
But, with shifting climate patterns, our water supplies are likely to become less reliable. In the future, more moisture is expected to arrive as rain instead of snow. On top of that, warmer temperatures will lead to earlier peak flows and drier summers.
Water conservation creates additional supplies by reducing water used in and around homes and businesses.
Plus, Bozeman is booming, growing at a rate far above the national average. More people will need more water, and eventually, these supplies won’t be enough.
It’s the cheapest, most expedient and environmentally friendly way to thrive through drought, and to ensure a reliable water supply for the future.
Here’s a few things you can do to help! • Turn the water off when brushing your teeth
• Shorten your shower time! Showering accounts for about 20% of indoor water use. Every minute in the • Only run the clothes washer and shower is 2.5 gallons of water used. dishwasher when they are full. For more information about water conservation, rebates, tips, planting guides and more, visit www.bozemanwater.com.
• Fix leaks! Leaks account for 13% of water used in homes. • Participate in the City of Bozeman’s rebate programs.