UFPB Meeting Minutes - April 21, 2026

Proxies: Durward Sobek (for Robert Mokwa), Jim Waterman (for Kane Urdahl)

Members Absent: Brett Gunnink, John How, Danielle Garber, Michael Everts

Staff & Guests: Robert Stockdale, Jennisse Waters, Dena Knutson, Ara Meskimen, Dale Huls, Charles Peake

ITEM No. 1 – Approval of Minutes from November 18, 2025

The November 18, 2025, meeting minutes were approved unanimously.

ITEM No. 2 – ACTION – Campus Disc Golf Course

Robert Stockdale explained that Charles Peake, a senior in the College of Education, Health & Human Development, had developed a proposal for a three-hole campus disc golf course. Robert provided an overview of the project’s background, including the criteria considered in selecting the proposed site. Robert noted that locations across campus were reviewed, but Wally Byam Park was selected because it would minimize conflict with existing campus activities; its surrounding buildings and parking lots were outside intended flight paths, there are mature trees that would help prevent discs from travelling beyond the course area; and the site would engage players with the Mandeville Creek landscape. Robert then walked the Board through the course’s three proposed holes and acknowledged that the holes overlap with the proposed MSU Native Plant Arboretum, which had previously been presented to UFPB in 2024. Lastly, Robert highlighted that the course is supported and funded by the Resident Hall Association.

Sreekala Bajwa asked whether faculty members conducting research in the area and using it as a living learning laboratory for instructional purposes had been consulted regarding how the proposed course would affect their research and teaching. Charles Peake replied that he had not reached out to those faculty members, but that he had designed the course to avoid areas where groups and classes typically congregate. Sreekala recommended that Charles speak with those faculty members to better understand their use of the area and to incorporate their feedback in the disc golf course proposal. Charles stated that he was willing and eager to work with faculty to determine the best site for the disc golf course.

Kirsten Ostberg explained that while she was excited at the idea of a campus disc golf course and appreciated that it was being developed as a student-led project, she believed additional research and site analysis were needed to determine whether Wally Byam Park and the area along Mandeville Creek were suitable locations. Kirsten noted that the park is considered a formal open space in the MSU Longe Range Campus Development Plan and the Landscape Master Plan. Kirsten stated that her classes have documented park users for multiple years and that classes use various areas of the park for gatherings and plant identification instruction. Kirsten expressed concern that adding disc golf to the park would lead to conflicts with classes and other users of the space, and that the proposal did not explain how such use conflicts would be managed. Kirsten also highlighted aspects of the course design that could lead to safety concerns or damage to the area’s natural environment, especially along the creek. Charles Peake explained the reasoning of the course placement and acknowledged that while overlapping uses may occur, disc golf players are generally considerate of other users. Charles stated that signage could be installed outlining course rules, including what uses have priority in the park.

Luke Schalewski asked where the nearest disc golf course is located. Charles Peak answered that the closest course is at Rose Park, which takes approximately 40 minutes to reach from campus by Streamline or on foot. Luke asked whether there had been any outreach to the City of Bozeman regarding addressing student demand through courses at nearby parks. Charles replied that the local disc golf club is working with the City to develop additional courses in the area, but that individuals currently need an automobile to reach local courses. Luke then asked why the intramural fields had not been selected. Charles explained that the fields are heavily used for other activities, and that flat, open spaces are generally less appealing for disc golf because they lack variation or obstacles.
Tom Luhrsen asked why the course was not proposed for the area south of the Grant Chamberlain Apartments. Richard Rudnicki replied that there were concerns regarding the presence of children who live in the apartments and the proximity to buildings.

Duane Morris asked Jim Waterman for his opinion of the proposed course location. Jim stated that the course would not increase workload for the landscape and grounds maintenance staff but agreed that the interaction between user groups is a valid concern. Jim added that Wally Byam Park is an underutilized area on campus that could potentially accommodate greater use.
Wendy Guido requested that accessibility be considered in the course design and basket selection. Charles Peake explained that the baskets are low enough for children to retrieve discs and therefore they should be accessible for wheelchair users.

Jennisse Waters asked whether three-hole courses are common, or if, like golf, 18 holes is the typical course length. Charles Peake answered that disc golf typically plays on 18-hole courses, but courses may have more or fewer holes depending on the location. Charles explained that despite its small size, the proposed course would be enjoyable for both beginners and experienced players.

Chase Koller stated that he had spoken to disc golf players about the proposed course location and that they expressed concerns about beginners throwing discs into adjacent parking lots and damaging cars, or into the streets and risking injury. Charles Peake replied that the course design makes such throws unlikely and that the surrounding trees would help intercept discs that go awry. Kirsten Ostberg asked whether MSU would be liable for any damage or injury resulting from disc golf play. Tom Luhrsen answered that if the university endorses an activity, then it would assume some level of responsibility. Duane Morris asked if Safety and Risk Management was consulted regarding the proposal. Richard Rudnicki replied that the plan had been shared with Safety and Risk Management and that they had not express any greater concern than that associated with other general campus recreational uses.

Sky Wernik asked whether the Resident Hall Association would provide funding for future maintenance and repairs. Charles Peake answered that those funds would not come through RHA, but instead would be raised through external sponsors and the Headwaters Disc Golf Club. Charles added that the Headwaters Disc Golf Club would also be responsible for maintaining the course.

Duane Morris applauded Charles Peake for his work and effort in developing the campus disc golf course proposal, but he expressed concern about conflicts with classes using Wally Byam Park. Steve Swinford agreed that the location did not appear suitable. Steve stated that he was willing to connect Charles with the Office of Student Engagement to help bring together the individuals and groups necessary to identify an alternative site. Sreekala Bajwa offered to work with Charles to engage relevant faculty members. Wendy Guido stated that Disability Services would advise on ensuring the project’s inclusivity.

Steve Swinford moved to table the item to allow Charles to further develop the proposal.
Sreekala Bajwa seconded the motion.
The motion passed unanimously.

ITEM No. 3 – INFORMATIONAL – Campus Security Camera System Update

Robert Stockdale described the background and growth of MSU’s campus security system and presented the design of the stickers used to identify spaces under surveillance. Tom Luhrsen stated that the University Police Department uses the camera system for investigations and situation awareness. Tom explained that UPD and UIT collaborate to determine the most effective placement of cameras, and that there is a form available on the UPD website for requesting camera installation in specific areas.

Sreekala Bajwa asked whether there were any objections to the use of cameras in public spaces. Tom Luhrsen replied that there had been few criticisms, as there is a general understanding in the current culture that cameras are used for security purposes. Tom noted that cameras are only installed in areas where individuals do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

ITEM No. 4 – INFORMATIONAL – Updated Championship Plaque at Bobcat Stadium

Robert Stockdale informed the Board that the plaque in front of the bobcat statue at Bobcat Stadium had been replaced with an updated design commemorating MSU’s most recent championship victory. Ara Meskimen added that the new sign was funded by the same donor who had provided the original plaque.

ITEM No. 5 – INFORMATIONAL – PAAC Approved Art Update

Robert Stockdale presented the artworks recently approved by the Public Art and Artifacts Committee. These included a sculpture by Jim Dolan and Clinton Lesh outside of the Montana Wool Lab; a sculpture by Jim Dolan east of Linfield Hall; student ceramic tile compositions for Gianforte Hall; and a series of murals by Naji Haska and Victoria Burchill to be displayed in the CO-OP rooms within each of the Jones College of Nursing buildings.