Grizzlies season tickets go on sale

(MISSOULA)- Montana football fans are snapping up season tickets today, as they get ready for the 2013 football season. 

Tickets went on sale this morning on a first-come, first-served basis, although no ticket sales are being done online. Tickets are only available at the Adams Center Box Office, or by phone at 1-888-MONTANA (1-888-666-8262).   

Grizzly football single games tickets will be available to purchase on Monday, July 29, and only three games are available: Oklahoma Panhandle State (Sept. 21), Cal Poly (Oct. 19), and Weber State (Nov. 16). 

The Adams Center Box Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to  4:30 p.m.,  Monday through Friday.

UM will have two years to complete reforms requested by feds

(MISSOULA)-The U.S. Department of Justice says the University of Montana is agreeing to  a series of steps the agency believes will make UM the "gold standard" for dealing with problems of sexual assault  and harassment.

And the school is being given two years to meet the requirements stemming from a year long investigation. The agreements announced at a Missoula press conference Thursday.  

Those range from doing a better job of investigating complaints to more closely following the federal legal standards for equality and civil rights. Several of the orders require the school to do better training of personnel, and respond quicker to complaints and allegations. 

"The agreements, when fully implemented and integrated into the university and its culture, will be recognized nationally among other universities and colleges as the "gold standard" for ensuring safety of those involved in campus life," U.S. Attorney for Montana Michael Cotter told reporters in making the announcement. 

Some of the changes are already underway. 

"Being confronted with the reports of incidents over the recent past, we realized that despite the best of intentions our policies, training and practices regarding sexual assault and harassment needed improvement," said UM President Royce Engstrom in a statement. "We immediately began a process of reform on our campus."

Engstrom says the university is pledging to reach full compliance with all the recommendations within 2-years. 

Bullock approves money for Missoula College expansion

(MISSOULA)- Governor Steve Bullock is giving the green light to the University of Montana to build its' new "South Campus" project, a $29-million plan that will create a new home for Missoula College.

UM administrators want to build the new campus south of the university, using land that was originally given to the college in the 1920s. Monday, Bullock signed House Bill 5, which included the money to get the project moving again after being in limbo for several months while lawmakers debated the budget.  

However, the scheme could face a rocky road. A citizens' group calling itself Advocates for Missoula's Future, sent a "cease and desist" letter to Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian and the Montana Board of Regents. over the weekend. The group says there are several problems with the plan, and claim it would violate state law by placing buildings over the top of the UM golf course and land they say was donated solely for recreational use. 

Peggy Kuhr, UM's Vice President for Communication says administrators are still reviewing that complaint. She says the concerns "don't change our intent to work together with the community and the neighborhoods to find a common sense solution. We look forward to working together on an ongoing and constructive basis."

UM officials waiting for Bullock to sign Missoula College funding bill

University of Montana graphicUniversity of Montana leaders are waiting for Governor Steve Bullock to sign off on the bill that will provide $29-million to build a new campus for Missoula College. 

UM's plans call for building the new "south campus" site to accommodate the new school operations that will grow out of the old College of Technology. The university wants to target the new campus to continue offering technology and other courses, tied to the main UM campus to the north. 

The House and Senate approved the funding measure, but UM officials say they're still waiting to hear if the bill has made it to the governor's desk. 

Both Griz teams crowned Big Sky champs, advance in tournaments

Lady Griz pose for their title photo Saturday- KPAX TV photo(MISSOULA)- There's nothing like the combination of home court advantage, hometown fans and a successful basketball season to light the boosters under post-season play.

And that's exactly what happened for both the Grizzly men and women Saturday, as two more convincing wins keep their seasons alive, giving both the Big Sky titles for the 2013 season. 

The Lady Griz, coming off a solid win on Friday, didn't lose momentum as they downed Northern Colorado in the Saturday afternoon game 56-43. Kenzie De Boer led Montana with a solid 20-point performance, and as named the Big Sky Tournament's MVP. The Lady Griz will advance to the NCAA tournament.

The Grizzly men followed suit in the tournament finale, although the outcome was much closer, with UM knocking off rival Weber State 67-64. The Griz actually had to mount a comeback in the second half against the Wildcats, dominating the scoring down the stretch as Weber's soft shooting allowed UM to take the game.  

Kareen Jamar had another standout performance for the Griz, netting 20-points and being named the tournament MVP. 

It's the third trip in four years to the NCAA tournament for the Grizzlies.

Assignments for the men and women will be announced on Sunday.