The University of Montana-Missoula Alumni Association, established in 1901, with offices in Brantly Hall, represents approximately 57,000 graduates, former students, and friends. The mission of the Alumni Association is to coordinate the support of alumni and friends to strengthen the academic, research, service and leadership programs of the institution. The Alumni Association sponsors or helps coordinate numerous events during the academic year such as Homecoming, Family Weekend, Parents Association, Charter Day, Senior Recognition Day, and Commencement Reunions. The Association also sponsors the "Ask an Alum" program which connects alumni with currently enrolled students who are exploring career options.
Student Government
By paying the student activity fee, the student becomes a member of the Associated Students of The University of Montana (ASUM). ASUM is governed by officers elected at large, consisting of a president, vice president, and business manager, and a 20-member Senate. Together they have full authority over the ASUM general fund, which consists of the yearly activity fee collections and a total annual cash flow approximating 1.5 million dollars. The sole power to determine the allocation of the student budget resides with ASUM, pursuant to a 1970 Board of Regents policy. After the ASUM President presents the annual executive budget, the Senate determines the final allocations, and the business manager and Budget and Finance Committee (a Senate committee) then assume full responsibility for the disbursement of student money along with the ASUM accountant.
ASUM's budgeting units include activities ranging from Campus Recreation to ASUM Programming to Legal Services and the Montana Kaimin (a daily student newspaper). Also, the International Student Association, environmental research groups, and a vriety of other student activities are funded by ASUM. After the regular spring budgeting session, a special allocation fund is available for emergency expenses.
ASUM Programming is the sole student programming agency on campus. Three different areas, each with a coordinator, provide the University and Missoula communities with a wide variety of entertainment and activities. They are: Pop Concerts, Special Events, and Performing Arts. The Programming Director is hired by the ASUM president.
ASUM Day Care provides several child-care facilities for activity-fee paying students. The Student Political Action Office oversees student interests in political affairs. SPA is divided into two parts, legislation action and student action. The work ranges from representing ASUM at the legislature to organizing volunteers for campus activities. ASUM hires a full-time professional lawyer for Legal Services. Legal Services is available aid to all activity-fee paying students for a one-time fee of $5 plus any court costs. Legal Services handles everything from tenant-landlord problems to major legal needs that students may have, not including major felonies. The ASUM also co-sponsors Escort Service, Students Tutoring Students, and the UM Advocates.
Student appointments to full-voting membership on student/University committees are made by the ASUM vice-president. Such committees virtually govern many aspects of the University, including curriculum, campus development, and scholarships and loans. Ad hoc committees may be appointed at any time by the ASUM president or vice-president.
ASUM has three semi-autonomous standing committees, which share in student governance. Publications Board has full power as publisher over all ASUM publications. The University Center Board is charged with policy making for and administration of the Student Union. The Student Political Action Committee is the ASUM policy making committee which advises the full-time lobbyist who works on behalf of the University students in local, state, and national issues.
Special Interest Groups
Students have organized over 100 different special interest groups. Information about them can be obtained in the ASUM Offices in the University Center.
Fraternities and Sororities
The Greek Community of The University of Montana provides a comprehensive educational, social, and living experience for members through the promotion of friendship, leadership, personal development, academics, and services to the University and the Missoula community. The Greek members donate their time and support to over 50 recognized philanthropies. Additionally, they involve themselves in a wide variety of campus leadership organizations, such as Residence Life Staff, PRO's, ASUM Senate, Advocates, the African American Student Association, Peer Advising, and Mortar Board.
The Greek system has ten national fraternities (Alpha au Omega, Phi Beta Sigma, Phi Delta
Theta, Phi Gamma Delta, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma
Phi Epsilon and Theta Tau Sigma) and four national sororities (Alpha Phi, Delta Gamma, Kappa
Alpha Theta and Kappa Kappa Gamma).