In other business, the regents unanimously approved a $500,000 request to put down new artificial turf at the Washington-Grizzly Stadium this year, one year ahead of schedule.
The company that will install the turf is already in Missoula working at Big Sky High School, said vice president of finance Mike Reid. FieldTurf offered to do the work this year but delay billing until 2017 and also increase the warranty to 10 years instead of the usual eight.
"The field is in need of replacement," Reid said. "It's reached its useful life and hasn't worn as well as hoped."
Athletic director Kent Haslam said the turf has become compacted and unsafe, and UM had planned to make repairs to the tune of at least $10,000 this year. He also said the funds will come from a scheduled game against the University of Washington, and not from state general funds.