GREAT FALLS The University of Providence is facing what officials describe as severe financial challenges, prompting the schools Board of Trustees to consider a formal declaration of financial exigency one of the most serious steps a university can take during a budget crisis.

Interim President Caroline Goulet says the roots of the situation stretch back years, when Providence Health System routinely subsidized the universitys operating deficit.

For years, they were subsidizing our budget and so for years, we did not really think twice about it, Goulet said. It was part of our annual budget approval where we would project revenues and expenses and subsidy.

That arrangement is scheduled to end in December 2027 and will not be renewed as Providence Health addresses its own financial chall

See Full Page