Senator Jon Tester released the following statement today after it was announced that Royce Engstrom will step down as the President of the University of Montana:

“I want to thank Royce for his leadership at the University of Montana, unwavering commitment to public education, and fighting for a quality, affordable education for all Montanans. I know that Sheila Stearns is up for the task and I look forward to working with her in the upcoming months.”

Clayton Christian, Commissioner of Higher Education, says the search for a new president will start immediately. A new president is expected to be selected and ready to start by July 1, 2017.

Christian said in a press release that he and Engstrom decided this together. The Commissioner asked Engstrom to "consider this transition at this time based on my belief that a change in leadership direction is the right step for UM going forward."

Until then, Dr. Shelia Sterns will serve as interim president starting January 1 and continuing until the position is filled.

Sterns has served as UM's Alumni Associate Director, Vice President for University Relations, Chancellor of UM Western, President of Wayne State College in Nebraska and as Montana's Commissioner of Higher Education

UM President Royce Engstrom will step down after continued years of low enrollment and budget inaccuracies. Engstrom has served as UM's 17th president since 2010.

This comes on the heels of an emergency meeting Wednesday night, after UM unveiled additional faculty and staff will be laid off.

This statement comes from Clayton T. Christian, Commissioner of Higher Education

"After careful discussion and consideration, University of Montana President Royce Engstrom and I have decided that he will step down as UM’s president effective December 31. I asked President Engstrom to consider this transition at this time based on my belief that a change in leadership direction is the right step for UM going forward. I greatly appreciate the graciousness and care with which President Engstrom engaged in our discussion.

On behalf of the Board of Regents and myself, I want to thank President Engstrom for his hard work and steadfast dedication to the University of Montana. His leadership efforts have strengthened this great university in many respects. He and his administrative team, working together with UM’s tremendous faculty, staff and students, have accomplished a lot for which all are to be commended:

The productivity of UM’s competitive research enterprise this year is at an all-time high, with world-class faculty making amazing scientific and technological discoveries and advancements.

UM’s development and nurturing of private gift support is at an all-time high, which is vital to continued excellence and innovation in the university’s teaching-and-learning opportunities.

UM’s athletic programs today are recognized not only for their success on the court or field of play, or their rising academic excellence by student athletes, but also for their strong compliance with NCAA regulations and guidelines.

The new Missoula College is no longer just a dream or a long overdue project, but it is now a reality and is ready to serve generations of students and employers long into the future.

Finally, after major policy and procedure reforms launched by President Engstrom very early in his presidency, UM is now a model campus for thousands of colleges and universities across the nation for preventing sexual violence and providing a safe, healthy, enriching environment in which to teach, learn, and live.

I speak for the Montana University System in extending deep gratitude to President and Mary Engstrom for their unwavering devotion these past six years to serving UM students, staff, faculty, all campus personnel, alumni and supporters, the greater UM community, and the state of Montana."