About MSU Billings (cont'd)

Faculty

MSU Billings faculty have expertise in many areas and approximately 91 percent hold the highest degrees in their fields.  They contribute a number of articles each year to academic and professional journals in their fields and they participate with their peers nationwide at conferences and seminars.  Each year they receive grants ranging from Fulbrights for study abroad to those for the investigation of human and scientific information.  Because the faculty is involved in research, students may also become involved in research including the presentation of findings at conferences and the publication of papers in journals.  Because the faculty is involved with their peers, students are exposed to the latest information in each discipline.  Because the faculty is involved in communicating with their colleagues around the country, they also continue being involved in expressing those ideas to students.

Diversity

MSU Billings supports all members of the University community in their individual growth toward confidence, individual sense of purpose, and acceptance of civic responsibilities.  MSU Billings’ actions are ethical and principled to assure dignity and equity for all.  MSU Billings seeks to increase staff, faculty and student awareness, understanding, and involvement in the international community.  MSU Billings is committed to providing an intellectual and social environment that supports and nurtures diversity awareness and cultural consciousness.

Location and Campus

The Yellowstone Region and the City of Billings
America’s “last, best place” is undoubtedly an appropriate way to describe the region of the Yellowstone.  Stretching from Yellowstone Park to where it joins the Missouri River, the Yellowstone River is the longest un-dammed river in the United States.  Montana State University Billings shares the history, traditions, and quality of life that characterize the Yellowstone Region.

Montana State University Billings is located in the expanding city of Billings in the valley of the Yellowstone between rugged mountains and sweeping plains with a population base of approximately 100,000.  The city, the largest in Montana, offers all the conveniences of modern urban life but has retained its cultural and historical Western tradition of friendliness.

Billings, the “Magic City,” serves as a center for agriculture, finance, trade, medical care, education, tourism and energy-related industries for the people of central and eastern Montana and northern Wyoming.  A downtown business district, well-planned shopping centers and malls, and a variety of smaller specialty stores provide ample opportunity for browsing and shopping.

MetraPark, Montana’s major indoor arena, provides a number of entertainment opportunities such as major concert productions, trade shows and sporting events.

Historical sites, trout fishing streams, mountain trails and downhill ski runs are within easy driving distance from Billings.  World-famous Yellowstone National Park is nearby.

Billings has a number of churches, radio and television stations, movie theatres, a performing arts center, a symphony and a community theatre.  Parks, tennis courts and golf courses offer recreational opportunities.  The city is served by excellent transportation facilities.

Among other assets are excellent hotels, motels, restaurants and delightful residential districts.

The MSU Billings Campus
Montana State University Billings is comprised of three campuses:  the senior campus, the College of Technology campus, and the Downtown campus.  The senior campus of 92 acres is at the foot of majestic sandstone cliffs overlooking the city.  The 18 buildings are within a short walking distance across campus.  Two residence halls connected to the Student Union Building and one family housing apartment complex provide housing to students.  Rimrock has 148 rooms and Petro has 362 rooms available for occupancy.  The Student Union Building (SUB) houses the Book Depot, Campus Dining Services, Stingers Coffee Shop and administrative offices.  Home of the Yellowjackets, the Alterowitz Gymnasium offers a variety of recreational and instructional opportunities.  It houses a 4,000 seat arena, a practice gymnasium, a collegiate size swimming pool, an enclosed running track and racquetball courts.

Although physically separated from the senior campus, the College of Technology campus, located 7 miles from the senior campus on the west side of Billings, is an integral part of the University.  Housed in one large complex, the facilities provide ample classrooms, laboratories, and other instructional areas.  A large central commons is a popular student gathering and dining area.

MSU Billings Downtown resides in a number of buildings in downtown Billings, and includes the offices for the College of Professional Studies and Lifelong Learning and a division of the campus bookstore, Jackets & Co.

Academic Calendar

The academic year consists of Fall and Spring semesters.  The summer term has its own calendar.  Classes are also available between the fall and spring semesters in an Intersession format.

Campus Visits
McMullen First Floor East, (406) 657-2888

Campus tours are available through the Office of New Student Services.  For information, call (406) 657-2888; or write the Office of New Student Services; Montana State University Billings; 1500 University Drive; Billings, MT 59101-0298; or visit our web site at www.msubillings.edu/future/visit.htm.  To assure the availability of staff, please contact this office to set up your campus visit.