Office of the Commissioner
David L. Buhler, Commissioner of Higher Education
Elizabeth Hitch, Associate Commissioner for Academic and Student Affairs
Gregory Stauffer, Associate Commissioner for Planning, Finance and Facilities

Institutional Presidents Present
David W. Pershing, University of Utah
Charles A. Wight, Weber State University
Scott L Wyatt, Southern Utah University
Gary L. Carlston, Snow College
Matthew S. Holland, Utah Valley University
Richard B. Williams, Dixie State University
Deneece G. Huftalin, Salt Lake Community College

Other Commissioner’s Office and institutional personnel were also present. The signed role is on file in the Commissioner’s Office.

The Board of Regents began the day at 7:30 a.m. with a breakfast meeting; they were joined by the Southern Utah University Board of Trustees. Following breakfast there was a short break. This was followed by board committee meetings.
Chair Campbell called the meeting to order at 11:15 a.m. He recognized new student regent Bailey Bowthorpe and new regents Pat Jones and Steve Moore. He also recognized Steve Lund, who has not yet been confirmed and is out of the country.

State of the University
President Wyatt gave a presentation on the state of Southern Utah University (SUU). SUU received the largest gift in school history from the Dixie Anne Leavitt Foundation; $7.5 million. President Wyatt played a trailer of a video that SUU created about the history of SUU and then discussed the new strategic plan that includes three major building blocks; new students, learning, and student success.

Appointment of Loreen Olney as Secretary to the Board of Regents (TAB X)
Commissioner Buhler gave a brief description of the process of the appointment of Loreen Olney as his Executive Assistant and recommended her as Secretary to the Board of Regents. Vice-chair Davis moved to approve, Regent Barnes seconded and the motion was carried.

Oath of Office
Bailey Bowthorpe, Patricia Jones, Steve Moore
Having been appointed to the Board of Regents, Bailey Bowthorpe, Patricia Jones and Steve Moore took the oath of office.

Open Meetings Training
Commissioner Buhler provided the training on open meetings.

General Consent Calendar (TAB Y)
On a motion by Regent Zenger, and seconded by Regent Simmons the following items were approved on the Regents’ General Consent Calendar:
A. Minutes – Minutes of the Board meeting May 15, 2015, Salt Lake Community College, Salt Lake City, Utah.
B. Grant Proposals
C. Awards
D. Academic Items Received and Approved

Approval of 2015-2016 USHE Performance Funding Model and Allocation (TAB R)
Commissioner Buhler gave a brief history on the funding since 2013. Allocations for funding include five metrics as outlined by SB 232. A five year rolling average was used for each metric (attachments include details). He noted that this was discussed in great detail in the Finance & Facilities Committee.
Senator Urquhart acknowledged work done by the Commissioner’s office and Regents and thanked them for their efforts. Chair Campbell thanked Senator Urquhart for his support and leadership, and is hopeful that we can increase funding as we move forward. Regent Marquardt moved to approve, was seconded by Regent Davis and motion carried.

Completion Strategy Five: Reverse Transfer and Stackable Credentials (TAB Z)
Commissioner Buhler reviewed the background of stackable credentials. Reverse transfer is the idea of being able to receive an associate degree along the way towards a bachelor degree. Utah leads the nation in students with some college but no degree. Commissioner Buhler noted a credential is what is most important to students. In Utah, more than half the students attend more than one institution before they graduate. Motion to approve by Regent Theurer, seconded by Regent Zenger, motion carried.

Issues from State Board of Education
Chair Campbell asked Regent Moss and Regent Castle to share their perspective on issues with the State Board of Education. Regent Moss stated there has been a lot of discussion about the communication between the Regents and the Board of Education. Several initiatives are being worked on to improve dialogue between the groups. The Board of Education is working on a strategic plan that is research and data driven and would like to have the Regents input. Regent Castle said she would like to see the two groups partner on defining several issues; what is the biggest indicator of instructional quality in the classroom, what type of data do you trust most when considering whether a student has learned, what does education equality mean, what can a principal do to make a school successful, what makes an effective teacher, and how should state government measure teacher quality. Chair Campbell thanked Regent Moss and Castle for sharing their thoughts and asked Commissioner Buhler for his. Commissioner Buhler stated the commissioner’s office is actively engaged in this issue. Associate Commissioner Hitch will be participating in a national teacher education project she feels will be helpful as we move forward. Chair Campbell stated we would have follow up at a later date as this is an important issue.

Reports of Board Committees

Academic and Student Affairs Committee
University of Utah – Doctor of Philosophy in Population Health Science with Emphases in Biostatistics and Health Systems Research TAB A
It was moved by Regent Prince to approve the degree as outlined in TAB A. The motion was seconded by Regent Stoddard and the motion carried.

Utah State University – Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Product Design & Development TAB B

Utah State University – Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience TAB C
Regent Prince noted both degrees as outlined in TAB B and C were unanimously approved by the Academic and Student Affairs committee and moved to approve. The motion was seconded by Regent Theurer and the motion carried.

Weber State University –Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Computer Engineering TAB D

Weber State University – Master of Science in Nursing – Nurse Practitioner TAB E
Regent Prince noted the programs as outlined in TAB D and E were unanimously approved in committee and moved to approve. The motion was seconded by Regent Valdez and the motion carried.

Southern Utah University – Master of Science in Cyber Security and Information Assurance TAB F
Regent Prince moved to approve the degree as outlined in TAB F. The motion was seconded by Regent Stoddard and the motion carried.

Dixie State University – Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science TAB G
Regent Prince moved to approve the degree as outlined in TAB G. The motion was seconded by Regent Theurer and the motion carried.

Policy R411 – Cyclical Institutional Program Reviews TAB H
It was moved by Regent Prince and seconded by Regent Jones to approve the revisions to R411 as outlined in TAB H. The motion carried.

Technology Initiative Advisory Board – Funding Allocations from the 2015 Legislative Session TAB I
Regent Prince moved to approve the Funding Allocations from the 2015 Legislative Sessions as outlined in TAB I. Regent Theurer seconded and the motion carried.

Chair Campbell expressed appreciation for those who worked on the above items.

Finance/Facilities Committee

Utah State University – Student Fee and Housing System Series 2015 Revenue Bond Issue TAB K
Regent Marquardt briefly reported on this item and moved to approve TAB K as outlined. Regent Simmons seconded and the motion carried.

Utah State University – Space Dynamics Laboratory Series 2015 Revenue Bond Issue TAB L
Regent Marquardt noted this has been a highly successful project and is the first of four buildings. Regent Marquardt moved to approve TAB L as outlined, Regent Anderson seconded and the motion carried.

Utah State University – Property Purchase in Moab, Utah TAB M
Regent Marquardt noted this is to purchase 3 parcels of land, 1.2 acres, and is contiguous to the Moab education center USU operates. The purchase price of $750,000 will be provided by Utah State Regional Campus tuition and fee revenues. Regent Marquardt moved to approve TAB M as outlined. Regent Barnes seconded and the motion carried.

Utah State University – Biological Science Building Project Design Approval TAB N
Regent Marquardt reported this request is to spend over 4 million on the programming and design of this building. The committee had a lengthy discussion and asked USU to move forward with just the programming part of the plan, which would cost a few hundred thousand dollars and hold off on the design portion, allowing for the Commissioner’s staff and President’s to review current process of requesting design funds. If the decision is made to continue current process, USU would be able to bring the design portion back to the Regents for approval. Regent Marquardt made a motion to move forward with the programming for the Biological Science Building in the amount of up to $600,000, but not yet the design, with the possibility that USU could ask for the funds for the design portion at the September Board of Regents meeting. Regent Zenger seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Dixie State University – East Elementary School Block Property Purchase TAB O
Regent Marquardt briefly reported on this item. This property is contiguous to DSU and is being brought to the Regents because DSU received an appraisal of $100,000 and the seller’s appraisal is $122,500.
Regent Marquardt believes the seller’s appraisal is probably more accurate and recommends approval. Regent Simmons seconded and the motion carried.

University of Utah – Orson Spencer Hall Replacement and Prior Lien Bond Refunding Series 2015C Revenue Bond Issue TAB P
Regent Marquardt briefly reported on this item and moved to approve TAB P as outlined. Regent Barnes seconded and the motion carried.

2014-2015 USHE Performance Funding Allocations TAB Q
Regent Marquardt briefly reported on this item and noted each institution has submitted the results of their efforts to meet specific targets. Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outlined in TAB Q. Regent Anderson seconded and the motion carried.

2015-2016 USHE Performance Funding Model and Allocations TAB R
See Committee of Whole

Southern Utah University – Center for the Arts Project Update TAB S
Regent Marquardt reported briefly on this information item; no action was taken.

University of Utah – Series 2015 Certificates of Participation Refunding TAB T

Dixie State University – Series 2015 Student Housing Project Revenue Bond TAB U

Utah State University – Series 2015 Romney Stadium Westside Renovation Revenue Bond TAB V

Regent Marquardt noted these items are information only; no action was taken.

Utah State Auditor Report on Athletics Revenue Subsidization TAB W
Regent Marquardt reported briefly on this information item; no action was taken.

Resolutions of Appreciation

Jim T. Evans
Regent Davis read a resolution of appreciation for James T. Evans and his years of service on the Board of Regents and moved the adoption of the resolution. Regent Clyde seconded the motion and it carried unanimously.
Chair Campbell made note of the new committees.

It was moved by Regent Stoddard and seconded by Regent Davis to meet in Executive Session for the sole purpose of discussing the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of individuals, pending or reasonably imminent litigation, and the possible sale of real property. The motion carried.

The Board of Regents met in Executive Session until 1:30 p.m.

Date Approved: September 18, 2015