This was an excellent article Russell. I appreciate you giving the context, background and history of Bodnar’s reign at the U of M. It helped me to decide who to vote for. It’s important for journalists like you to investigate and reveal the truth . The systematic misogyny in Bodnar’s administration is troubling and unjust.
Thank you, Russell, for the best & most-substantiated commentary on Bodnar and Montana's US Senate race.
Every Montana voter needs to read this.
Will it also appear in MT Free Press or other online news source?
I was horrified/almost amused when I first heard he was running, as I couldn't imagine anyone with his publicly abysmal UM track record of documented lawsuits & misogynist "management" & layoffs running for public office! Thought it was a joke.
Now I am equally horrified, but not at all amused, by the alleged Democrats in power who are truth-denying supporters of Bodnar; this includes many who claim to consider themselves feminists. Geez! Wishing I had a larger megaphone ....
Thanks. I'm afraid the Dem ticket is headed for a train wreck. I wish, but doubt Bodmar will drop out. I watched and listened to Bankhead and she has a lot of charisma and appears as sharp as a tack. If Bodmar would drop out and is he as Tester would come out strong for her, I think she'd have a reasonably good chance against Alme. I'd love to see her go head to head with Alme.
As a Montanan and someone who began voting Democrat in 2016, thank you for this! I'll remember the name, Bankhead. Have you ever read Jon Krakauer's "Missoula?"
Yes! I almost attended there as an older adult student. Instead, a brain tumor sidelined me, and I did a master's online. After reading Missoula, I was relieved I didn't attend there.
Wow, Kimberly. That's just horrible! Yes...Epstein flashbacks! This whole situation is abhorrent. I hope I live long enough to see justice, but I'm not holding my breath. Thank you for the links. I'm sure you'll find Krakauer's book riveting. I'm so sorry that's your memory of attending there. It's a beautiful campus.
Overall, it was a great experience; one where I took my first steps as an adult. Where I could choose what I wanted to learn and where I learned that my concerns about how the world was different for women and people of color were justified. Maybe I was lucky or perhaps it was my choices of Art, Philosophy and Asian Studies. UM is indeed a beautiful campus.
I attended Carroll College for my BA since I lived in Helena. I found some disturbing things going on while I was there as well, but the opportunity to attend college (especially since I was fifty and had been kicked out of high school in my junior year) was one of the best experiences of my life.
Education should be a life-long investment in ourselves and to aid us in being an active member of our community. I was probably too young to attend college but at the time it seemed the next step. My mother attended Carroll College in the late '60's and early 70's, in her forties and because it was her first opportunity. She worked to pay for tuition and took care of four children, our home and our father. Her perseverance still amazes me. My son went from Carroll College to the NIH to Medical School on scholarships and help from grandparents with ease but hard work. Our daughter chose University of Montana at Missoula. I am still furious that we charge more interest on student loans than home loans. Proof that education and access to one doesn't have the respect it deserves.
Wow, Kimberly! And yes...student loans are a fiasco that is still strapping my daughter over a decade later. Reform is so needed. I'm so impressed with your mom and your children!
Your article sparked interesting commentaries! Men have been gaslighting women forever. Disgusting and disappointing always. Thanks for your insight and challenge to the good ole boy environment in Montana. Keep challenging readers to think and dig for the truth like you do.
Very informative article. Thank you for your research in putting together a picture of Bodnar useful to voters wanting to carefully choose the best candidate for Montana. Please publish in as many places as possible.
i am a lawyer in Billings. I have defended many civil claims for nearly 30 years. I have no dog in the fight between Bodnar and Bankhead (I think both, or either, will lose the election) but i just want to emphasize that just because someone alleges something in a Complaint in a lawsuit does not make it correct or true. Media all the time accept allegations in a complaint as gospel truth and that's a big mistake. My experience has shown me that many, many times people and their lawyers allege things that are either not true, or are very embellished, or way out of context, etc. And plaintiffs getting very small settlements in lawsuits is often indicative that the claims pleaded were not strong or meritorious.
There were at least 18 plaintiffs and possibly more complaints all claiming discrimination and/or harassment. So, while what you’re saying is fair, considering the significant number of women willing to go on record, I doubt some or even most are exaggerating or being dishonest - especially when women in this country are not believed far more than believed. The women willing to stick their necks out and risk the pushback also makes me believe them. As women having experienced a lifetime of not being believed myself and having lost a dear childhood lifelong friend when her ex murdered her because the police officers who responded to the calls she made when he tried to kill her twice before he finally didn’t believe , I think it’s way past time we started believing women. In this case, one of the plaintiffs told me their primary goal was to change the policy reporting process at the University so that all complaints had to be investigated and weighed according to Title IX standards. They got that, so the lower settlement amounts make sense since they didn’t prioritize or focus on that.
Please do Russell. Not much left of the main stream press in Montana and Bodnar should not get a pass. The credibility you have established for yourself over the years will make any reputable publication happy to reprint this piece. I can’t thank you enough
A good article - having been one of the female professors who left UM due to the inaction by university administration to do anything to rectify the rampant female disempowerment perpetuated at UM, I can attest to the sentiment expressed in this piece and the failings of UM's leadership.
Russell, Time to have a little honesty on your part. This is from the Bodnar campaign:
Thank you for sending this along. We have reached out to Russell Rowland and have not received any communication from him. Thank you for flagging it rather than letting it circulate without the campaign's awareness.
Your suggestion about Seth sitting down with him is fair. Seth isn't afraid of having an honest conversation with critics.
"The ads made no mention of the third candidate, who of course happens to be a woman. And a minority. The man seems to have learned nothing from this experience, which is not a quality we want in a member of the Senate." Perfectly put Russell.
Bodnar's neglecting to mention the women candidate(s) who were and are still running in the race just says it all. The fact that Bodnar has learned NOTHING from his experiences and our questions of him says to me that even if he wins a first election, he hasn't the experience or stamina, passion or concern about the issues to win a second term which puts Montana back in the muck. Bankhead is the superior candidate and Bodnar needs to remove the wedge from this campaign; he needs to graciously drop out and put his Democrat, Independent and those fed-up Republicans who support him behind Alani Bankhead, or we can be certain that Kurt Alme, a Shoe-Horned into the Race Republican will win. This morning I imagined the image of the snake eating his own tail as a metaphor for what is happening in this twisted Senatorial race. The Dems cannot reinvent themselves as Independents and assure a victory in November of 2026 and then again, in 2028 and beyond.
I listened to your interview with Alani hoping to learn more about what she believes- all I got were ”Montana values” and how great her military experience was. I don’t know where she stands on Tarriffs, taxes, rural healthcare needs, Medicaid, farm issues, the war in Iran, immigration…..
I do know where Bodner stands. As for your claim that his attacking Alme but not Alani in his ad is sexist…. Both his and Alanis main opponent is a Republican and that’s who they have to beat. Hopefully she will start directing her attacks against Alme too.
The complaints at the University date back years before Bodner came on the job. He had many women in prominent roles in his administration. Could he have done more to change things, probably. He inherited a sinking ship and had some poor choices for provost and his priorities were to increase enrollment and stabilize the student population.
Hi Pamela! Alani is a personal friend so we talk about this often. Her views are posted on her social media, but she is also more than happy to do a phone call with any Montanan who has questions, or if you prefer to just message her on Facebook or Instagram, etc., she will respond fairly quickly. Not sure where you are in the state, but I’m doing a Meet the Candidate event at my house early in July, and I know she’s setting up similar things around the state, if you’d like to attend or host one!
This was an excellent article Russell. I appreciate you giving the context, background and history of Bodnar’s reign at the U of M. It helped me to decide who to vote for. It’s important for journalists like you to investigate and reveal the truth . The systematic misogyny in Bodnar’s administration is troubling and unjust.
Thanks so much, Brad, for taking the time to read this.
Thank you, Russell, for the best & most-substantiated commentary on Bodnar and Montana's US Senate race.
Every Montana voter needs to read this.
Will it also appear in MT Free Press or other online news source?
I was horrified/almost amused when I first heard he was running, as I couldn't imagine anyone with his publicly abysmal UM track record of documented lawsuits & misogynist "management" & layoffs running for public office! Thought it was a joke.
Now I am equally horrified, but not at all amused, by the alleged Democrats in power who are truth-denying supporters of Bodnar; this includes many who claim to consider themselves feminists. Geez! Wishing I had a larger megaphone ....
Thank you for using yours.
Thank you so much, Kathleen. I haven't approached any publications, but I probably should.
☝️👏👏👏
Thanks. I'm afraid the Dem ticket is headed for a train wreck. I wish, but doubt Bodmar will drop out. I watched and listened to Bankhead and she has a lot of charisma and appears as sharp as a tack. If Bodmar would drop out and is he as Tester would come out strong for her, I think she'd have a reasonably good chance against Alme. I'd love to see her go head to head with Alme.
I think you're right, Earl. It's a long shot, but it does feel as if a lot of folks are skeptical about Bodnar. We shall see.
Sorry for the misspelling of Bodnar's name.
You are forgiven :)
As a Montanan and someone who began voting Democrat in 2016, thank you for this! I'll remember the name, Bankhead. Have you ever read Jon Krakauer's "Missoula?"
Of course I have! It just makes this story that much more troubling that it continues.
Yes! I almost attended there as an older adult student. Instead, a brain tumor sidelined me, and I did a master's online. After reading Missoula, I was relieved I didn't attend there.
I feel like I just hit a brick wall on a bicycle riding 50 miles an hour. I have not read this book and scanning the information, all I could say immediately was, "It's about time." I did attend UM. Let me just say that I will now read Krakauer's book and likely could add to the factual line-up of how this goes back at least into the early 1970's. There is a reason Alarm stanchions/call boxes now cross the campus but, we in the decades before cell phones needed to be wary of professors, sports team members and people who didn't belong on campus. Reporting assaults has always been an issue and the fact that women still are not believed and protected and the perpetrators are is why we must remain vigilant. Information about Bodnar made me wary and I too have attempted to learn more about the lawsuits and reports and frankly the fact that he is considered a "Golden Boy" with the elite of the Democratic Party, nationwide makes my skin crawl and I'm having Epstein Flashbacks. https://www.montanakaimin.com/news/um-sees-a-rise-in-rape-cases-for-the-second-year-in-a-row/article_9a2da28a-9188-11ef-bc49-0b7b3e41f0ab.html and https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/stalking-numbers-spike-in-latest-um-crime-report and this article about those call boxes/alarm stanchions is more than a little disturbing. https://www.montanakaimin.com/news/emergency-poles-on-campus-still-best-bet-for-quick-help/article_dee9d9ce-dcb2-11e4-b84d-4b4caeea1236.html
Wow, Kimberly. That's just horrible! Yes...Epstein flashbacks! This whole situation is abhorrent. I hope I live long enough to see justice, but I'm not holding my breath. Thank you for the links. I'm sure you'll find Krakauer's book riveting. I'm so sorry that's your memory of attending there. It's a beautiful campus.
Overall, it was a great experience; one where I took my first steps as an adult. Where I could choose what I wanted to learn and where I learned that my concerns about how the world was different for women and people of color were justified. Maybe I was lucky or perhaps it was my choices of Art, Philosophy and Asian Studies. UM is indeed a beautiful campus.
I attended Carroll College for my BA since I lived in Helena. I found some disturbing things going on while I was there as well, but the opportunity to attend college (especially since I was fifty and had been kicked out of high school in my junior year) was one of the best experiences of my life.
Education should be a life-long investment in ourselves and to aid us in being an active member of our community. I was probably too young to attend college but at the time it seemed the next step. My mother attended Carroll College in the late '60's and early 70's, in her forties and because it was her first opportunity. She worked to pay for tuition and took care of four children, our home and our father. Her perseverance still amazes me. My son went from Carroll College to the NIH to Medical School on scholarships and help from grandparents with ease but hard work. Our daughter chose University of Montana at Missoula. I am still furious that we charge more interest on student loans than home loans. Proof that education and access to one doesn't have the respect it deserves.
Wow, Kimberly! And yes...student loans are a fiasco that is still strapping my daughter over a decade later. Reform is so needed. I'm so impressed with your mom and your children!
Good job! Proud of you! This is what democracy looks like.
Thank you, Steve!
Your article sparked interesting commentaries! Men have been gaslighting women forever. Disgusting and disappointing always. Thanks for your insight and challenge to the good ole boy environment in Montana. Keep challenging readers to think and dig for the truth like you do.
Thank you, Judy
Very informative article. Thank you for your research in putting together a picture of Bodnar useful to voters wanting to carefully choose the best candidate for Montana. Please publish in as many places as possible.
i am a lawyer in Billings. I have defended many civil claims for nearly 30 years. I have no dog in the fight between Bodnar and Bankhead (I think both, or either, will lose the election) but i just want to emphasize that just because someone alleges something in a Complaint in a lawsuit does not make it correct or true. Media all the time accept allegations in a complaint as gospel truth and that's a big mistake. My experience has shown me that many, many times people and their lawyers allege things that are either not true, or are very embellished, or way out of context, etc. And plaintiffs getting very small settlements in lawsuits is often indicative that the claims pleaded were not strong or meritorious.
This is certainly a fair point.
There were at least 18 plaintiffs and possibly more complaints all claiming discrimination and/or harassment. So, while what you’re saying is fair, considering the significant number of women willing to go on record, I doubt some or even most are exaggerating or being dishonest - especially when women in this country are not believed far more than believed. The women willing to stick their necks out and risk the pushback also makes me believe them. As women having experienced a lifetime of not being believed myself and having lost a dear childhood lifelong friend when her ex murdered her because the police officers who responded to the calls she made when he tried to kill her twice before he finally didn’t believe , I think it’s way past time we started believing women. In this case, one of the plaintiffs told me their primary goal was to change the policy reporting process at the University so that all complaints had to be investigated and weighed according to Title IX standards. They got that, so the lower settlement amounts make sense since they didn’t prioritize or focus on that.
Please do Russell. Not much left of the main stream press in Montana and Bodnar should not get a pass. The credibility you have established for yourself over the years will make any reputable publication happy to reprint this piece. I can’t thank you enough
Thank you, Ron!
Solid article Russell! I do hope it can be published for a wider audience.
A good article - having been one of the female professors who left UM due to the inaction by university administration to do anything to rectify the rampant female disempowerment perpetuated at UM, I can attest to the sentiment expressed in this piece and the failings of UM's leadership.
I'm so sorry this happened to you, Natalie.
Oh look! A man who disrespected women and dismissed them. A man who continues to grease the wheels and pretend to be decent.
A square jawed smooth talking suit.
Of course he wants to run for office.
Gross.
Thank you for taking about his clear disregard for the women he worked with, and for the university itself.
Thank YOU!
Russell, Time to have a little honesty on your part. This is from the Bodnar campaign:
Thank you for sending this along. We have reached out to Russell Rowland and have not received any communication from him. Thank you for flagging it rather than letting it circulate without the campaign's awareness.
Your suggestion about Seth sitting down with him is fair. Seth isn't afraid of having an honest conversation with critics.
Thank you for being in this with us.
Team Bodnar
Seth for Montana
sethformontana.com
That's interesting that they're claiming they've reached out to me, because I haven't received anything from their team at all. I wonder who it was.
"The ads made no mention of the third candidate, who of course happens to be a woman. And a minority. The man seems to have learned nothing from this experience, which is not a quality we want in a member of the Senate." Perfectly put Russell.
Bodnar's neglecting to mention the women candidate(s) who were and are still running in the race just says it all. The fact that Bodnar has learned NOTHING from his experiences and our questions of him says to me that even if he wins a first election, he hasn't the experience or stamina, passion or concern about the issues to win a second term which puts Montana back in the muck. Bankhead is the superior candidate and Bodnar needs to remove the wedge from this campaign; he needs to graciously drop out and put his Democrat, Independent and those fed-up Republicans who support him behind Alani Bankhead, or we can be certain that Kurt Alme, a Shoe-Horned into the Race Republican will win. This morning I imagined the image of the snake eating his own tail as a metaphor for what is happening in this twisted Senatorial race. The Dems cannot reinvent themselves as Independents and assure a victory in November of 2026 and then again, in 2028 and beyond.
Very well done Russell! Can you provide a link or tell us where we can find more details about the lawsuit?
I'm so glad you asked. I will put it in the body of the article as well. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/60109593/cole-v-montana-university-system/
Thank you!!
I listened to your interview with Alani hoping to learn more about what she believes- all I got were ”Montana values” and how great her military experience was. I don’t know where she stands on Tarriffs, taxes, rural healthcare needs, Medicaid, farm issues, the war in Iran, immigration…..
I do know where Bodner stands. As for your claim that his attacking Alme but not Alani in his ad is sexist…. Both his and Alanis main opponent is a Republican and that’s who they have to beat. Hopefully she will start directing her attacks against Alme too.
The complaints at the University date back years before Bodner came on the job. He had many women in prominent roles in his administration. Could he have done more to change things, probably. He inherited a sinking ship and had some poor choices for provost and his priorities were to increase enrollment and stabilize the student population.
Well you've obviously made up your mind and aren't interested in the facts. Best of luck with that.
I haven’t made up my mind that’s why I wanted to learn more about Alani….
Hi Pamela! Alani is a personal friend so we talk about this often. Her views are posted on her social media, but she is also more than happy to do a phone call with any Montanan who has questions, or if you prefer to just message her on Facebook or Instagram, etc., she will respond fairly quickly. Not sure where you are in the state, but I’m doing a Meet the Candidate event at my house early in July, and I know she’s setting up similar things around the state, if you’d like to attend or host one!