Montana State strategic plan listening sessions planned for July in Kalispell, Great Falls, Helena, Butte and Bozeman

BOZEMAN - Members of the public are invited to share their thoughts about the future of Montana State University at listening sessions to be held across the state this summer. The feedback will help MSU craft its new strategic plan.

All upcoming listening sessions are listed on MSU's Strategic Plan website that will be updated with additional details as needed.

The strategic plan will guide MSU's focuses, operations and impacts for years to come. Since this spring, a planning team has been gathering feedback from MSU campus stakeholders, including students, faculty and staff. The team is currently gathering public feedback in preparation for drafting the final strategic plan in October. On Nov. 19, they will present the strategic plan to the Montana Board of Regents.

Key questions that MSU is looking to answer are:

• What can MSU do better?

• How can MSU more firmly root itself and serve Montana?

• What is your one big idea (and/or small idea) for MSU's future? This could be a project, program or any other new initiative.

• What is your most brilliant Bobcat moment or impression?

• Is there anything else that you would like to share to be considered in the development of MSU's next strategic plan?

If community members are unable to attend a listening session but still want to share their thoughts, they are invited to take an online survey available here.

Below are the dates, times and locations of the upcoming community listening sessions.

Wednesday, July 29: Kalispell community listening session

• 9 a.m. at the Flathead County Library: 247 First Ave. E., Kalispell.

Wednesday, July 29: Great Falls community listening session

• 3 p.m. at the Meadowlark Country Club, Meadowlark Room: 300 Country Club Blvd., Great Falls.

Wednesday, July 29: Helena community listening session

• 6:30 p.m. at the Lewis and Clark Library: 120 S. Last Chance Gulch St., Helena.

Thursday, July 30: Butte community listening session

• Noon at the Butte-Silver Bow Public Library: 226 W. Broadway St., Butte.

Thursday, July 30: Bozeman community listening session

• 6 p.m. at the Bozeman Public Library: 626 E. Main St., Bozeman.