Two professors at Montana State University-Billings remain in a state of uncertainty, still on paid administrative leave after being unexpectedly dismissed on the first day of classes in September. The situation has left both faculty and students facing an academic impasse.
Economics professor Joshua Hill and sociology professor Jennifer Scroggins, both tenured, were suspended as the fall semester commenced at Montana’s third-largest public university. Their suspension occurred shortly after they raised concerns about a prison education program linked to the Montana State Prison system in Deer Lodge.
According to officials from the prison and the university, the professors allegedly breached Montana Department of Corrections policies by maintaining contact with inmates after teaching assignments concluded. University documentation indicates that both Hill and Scroggins kept in touch with former students, prompting complaints from DOC officials.
Hill shared with the Daily Montanan that the process has stalled, leaving them in what he described as “bureaucratic limbo.” Despite this, both professors continue to receive their full salaries while on leave.
Previous reports have highlighted the struggles faced by students following the professors’ suspension. Students reported difficulties in completing coursework and obtaining academic advisement, with some unaware of the suspension until informed by media or hearsay. The sudden change has potentially extended their academic timelines.
Scroggins, who was integral in developing a new graduate-level course in criminal justice for Fall 2025, signed a contract for the academic year worth $72,614. Hill’s contract is valued at $124,946.
Montana University System (MUS) regent Todd Buchanan expressed approval of the university’s handling of the situation. However, provost Lee Vartanian recommended termination for both professors, a process governed by MSUB’s collective bargaining agreement. This requires a review by a “Committee on Service,” comprising faculty selected by both the union and administration.
Hill noted that the committee has neither met nor provided a timeline for resolution. “They have told us that there are no deadlines and no schedules,” he mentioned.
Questions posed to MSUB about the status of the professors, the impact on students and budget, and details about the Committee on Service have yielded limited responses. The university confirmed adherence to procedural protocols but did not clarify the committee’s membership or recent meeting dates.
University spokesperson Dan Carter stated, “When faculty are unavailable to teach, departments make appropriate internal adjustments to ensure courses are covered.” Adjustments from last fall gave students various options, though not all opted to use them.
Addressing the budgetary impact, Carter emphasized that faculty assignments are routinely adjusted based on several factors, and that the university operates within existing budgets without additional contingency funding for personnel matters.
The Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE), representing both college professors and prison guards, has remained quiet. Hill indicated that the union has escalated the case to the state level, bypassing local representatives.
Galen Hollenbaugh from the Montana University System explained that the use of paid administrative leave varies by campus and is influenced by collective bargaining agreements. He refrained from disclosing the number of faculty on leave, citing privacy concerns.
“The number of tenured and tenure-track faculty currently on paid administrative leave is so low that providing it may risk compromising the privacy rights of the individuals involved,” Hollenbaugh stated.
