BILLINGS — Students at Montana State University Billings say their academic careers and, in some cases, their lives, were upended when the administration abruptly put two longtime, tenured professors on indefinite leave on the first day of class.

The Daily Montanan learned that they were placed on the leave just hours after they submitted concerns about an academic program meant to give state prison inmates the chance to earn a college degree.

At least four faculty members who spoke to the Daily Montanan said they were threatened by the administration not to say anything or risk losing their jobs, but all confirmed Joshua Hill, a professor of economics, and Jennifer Scroggins, who teaches criminal justice, were suspended by Academic Affairs Vice Chancellor Lee Vartanian on the first day

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