MISSOULA – The University of Montana is still searching for a permanent location for their ASUM Child Care facility.
Officials hosted two input sessions Thursday morning to get feedback from the public on what they feel is important for the next daycare location.
“There are multiple options, each of these options has pros and cons and frankly none of them satisfies absolutely everyone. But we value everyone’s input and we want to get it because we want to get this decision right for this community,” UM president Seth Bodnar said in a video presentation at the beginning of the input session.
The decision will ultimately be up to administration on where the new facility goes and they hope the next location is the last move they have to make.
“We are really hoping that we can find a permanent home for ASUM Child Care. I know Vicki doesn’t want to move anymore,” UM Communications Director Paula Short said. “She’s moved enough in the last 60 days, and her team, to last a lifetime so we want to look at the long-term viability.”
With seven different options at this point which does administration prefer?
“I think McGill and Missoula are probably the most viable options of the ones on that list, in my opinion. Others may disagree. I think in terms of immediacy McGill is probably our best option,” UM Vice President of Operations and Finance Paul Lasiter said.
Faculty who operate ASUM Child Care seem to agree.
“We showed the matrix to all of our teachers and had them look at it and, honestly, I think all of them agree that McGill Hall would be the best option. Honestly, we will do whatever we need to, but our focus is on the kids and the families and what is the best thing we can do. We are not experts on asbestos, we are experts on the childcare,” ASUM Child Care faculty member Vicki Olson said.
Connor McCauley
Connor McCauley
