A legislative committee is calling on the Montana University System to bring back an ombudsperson program. The Civil Rights Violations and Censorship Committee, established by the 2025 Legislature, made the official request to the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.
The panel says the recommendation comes after gathering testimony from current and former students about their experiences at public universities and colleges across the state. Lawmakers say a confidential, impartial ombudsperson is needed to give students a safe space to report instances where they feel their rights have been violated by university policies, practices, or staff.
While the program could feature a single advocate for the entire system or individual representatives at the two flagship universities, the committee outlines strict guidelines for its structure. The group demands full confidentiality for students, strict impartiality from the representative, and clear accountability mechanisms. This includes regular statistical reports on the number and types of complaints, which would be delivered to the Legislature’s Education Interim Committee. Committee members say the move is critical to protecting student rights and encouraging participation on campus.
