Utah System of Higher Education

Utah Tech University

Friday, September 16, 2022

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Minutes

Board Members Present         

Lisa-Michele Church, Chair

Jesselie Anderson, Vice Chair

Stan Albrecht

Julie Beck

Stacey Bettridge

Hope Eccles

Arthur Newell

Shawn Newell

Steve Starks

Scott Theurer

Xitlalli Villanueva

Rick Wheeler

 

Board Members Absent

Grace Acosta

Rich Christiansen

Sanchaita Datta

Patricia Jones

 

Office of the Commissioner

Dave R. Woolstenhulme, Commissioner of Higher Education

Geoffrey Landward, Deputy Commissioner

Taylor Adams, Associate Commissioner for Strategic Initiatives

Alison Adams-Perlac, General Counsel

Trisha Dugovic, Director of Communication

Malin Francis, Director of Facilities & Planning

Brynn Fronk, Executive Assistant to the Utah Board of Higher Education

Russ Galt, Senior Assistant Commissioner for Technical Education Finance

Julie Hartley, Associate Commissioner of Academic Education

Melanie Heath, Associate Commissioner for Student Affairs and Access

Vic Hockett, Associate Commissioner of Talent Ready Utah

Carrie Mayne, Chief Economist

Richard Lainez, Facilities Manager

Lais Martinez, Assistant Commissioner for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Loreen Olney, Administrative Assistant

Jordan Passey, Budget and Planning Analyst

Will Pierce, Assistant Commissioner of Technical Education

Juliette Tennert, Chief Financial Officer

Melissa Van Hien, Executive Assistant to the Commissioner

 

Institutional Presidents Present        

Mindy Benson, Southern Utah University                            Paul Hacking, Tooele Technical College

Darin Brush, Davis Technical College                                   Deneece Huftalin, Utah Valley University

Jordan Rushton, Dixie Technical College                             Brad Mortensen, Weber State University

Jim Taggart, Ogden-Weber Technical College                     Astrid Tuminez, Utah Valley University

Chad Campbell, Bridgerland Technical College                   Aaron Weight, Uintah Basin Technical College

Noelle Cockett, Utah State University                                   Richard Williams, Dixie State University

Stacee McIff, Snow College                                                     Brennan Wood, Southwest Technical College

Clay Christensen, Mountainland Technical College            Taylor Randall, University of Utah

 

Utah Tech University Board of Trustees

Tiffany Wilson, Chair

Colleen Kvetko, Vice Chair

Betty Barnum, Trustee

Larry Bergeson, Trustee

Danny Ipson, Trustee

Deven Macdonald, Trustee

Devon Rice, Trustee

 

Other Guests

Kyla Allred, Chief of Staff, Uintah Basin Technical College

Cathy Anderson, Chief Financial Officer, University of Utah

Tyson Ayoko, student, Dixie Technical College

Del Beatty, Vice President of Study Affairs, Utah Tech University

Megan Church, Director of University Events and Promotions, Utah Tech University

Chayse Daugherty, student, Utah Tech University

Joseph Demma, Vice President of College Relations, Mountainland Technical College

Isaac Esplin, IT Media Systems Specialist, Utah Tech University

Adam Fennel, Managing Director, Huron Consulting

Peter Hart, Manager, Huron Consulting

Stephen Hess, Chief Information Officer, University of Utah

Carson Howell, Vice President of Finances & Administrative Services, Snow College

Yudi Lewis, Director for Latino Initiative Program, Utah Valley University

Laurie Mathis, BioTechnology Instructor, Dixie Technical College

Kirt Michalis, Vice President for Administrative Services / CFO, Mountainland Technical College

Tasha Toy, Assistant Vice President for Campus Diversity & Center for Inclusion and Belonging   Director, Utah Tech University

Henrie Walton, Assistant to the President for Government & Community Relations, Utah Tech      University

Courtney White, Associate Vice President of Executive Affairs / Chief of Staff, Utah Tech University

 

Chair Church called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.

President’s Report and Board of Trustees Report

President Williams provided an overview of the state of Utah Tech University. Devon Rice highlighted the work the student body is doing. Board member Villanueva expressed appreciation for Devon and the amount of student involvement and events at the university. Chair Church asked Devon what is being done for student mental health. Devon is working with student body presidents on that. Board member Arthur Newell inquired about how the name change had been received. Devon and Chair Wilson touched on the reaction to the name change and that it has been well received. Chair Wilson introduced the trustee members and highlighted the projects they’ve been working on. Board member Shawn Newell asked who they are working with on concurrent enrollment. President Williams noted it has expanded quite a bit and highlighted their success academies on their campus.

Board member Shawn Newell made a motion to go into closed session for the purposes of discussing the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual; Board member Albrecht seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Closed Session

Board member Bettridge made a motion to end closed session; Board member Wheeler seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Committee of the Whole

New Board member Oath of Office

Brynn Fronk administered the Oath of Office to Board members Hope Eccles, Xitlalli Villanueva, and Rick Wheeler. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Student Report

Student updates were provided by Tyson Ayoso from Dixie Technical College and Chayse Daugherty from Utah Tech University. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Committee Discussion

Academic Education Committee Chair Stan Albrecht led a discussion on quality, growth, and completion rates. Technical Education Chair Shawn Newell led a discussion on the ongoing alignment work that the Technical Education Committee is doing. As chair of the Student Affairs Committee, Board member Theurer lead a discussion on a common application and the marketing campaign. Finance and Facilities Chair Arthur Newell asked for the institutions’ feedback on how the capital facility requests process went and what changes need to be made for a fair and effective process. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Data Training

Carrie Mayne provided data training for the Board. Board member Eccles asked if it was possible to have percentages of the number of people from each county enrolled. Carrie will put that information together. This was an information item only; no action required.

Building Prioritization Review

Board member Arthur Newell shared the projects that were presented at the Capital Facilities Meeting that will go forward to the legislature. Under the nondedicated funding for the degree-granting institutions, the rankings are as follows: 1) University of Utah Engineering Computer Science Building, 2) Snow College, and 3) Utah State University Building. For the tech colleges, the highest-ranked project was the new campus in Wasatch County for Mountainland Technical College. This was an information item only; no action was required.

State Board of Higher Education Building Update

The Commissioner updated the Board with the current state of the State Board of Higher Education Building. A proposal will be brought to the Board in November. Juliette Tennert shared that the building is paid off, and the building reserve is fully funded. Richard Lainez provided highlights from the white paper included in the Board materials. This was an information item only; no action was required.

Statewide Online Education Initiative

President Brad Mortensen presented the counterproposal to the Statewide Online Education Initiative. He discussed the initiative timeline as well as the review, initial proposal, response, and the four recommendations in the counterproposal. Commissioner Woolstenhulme suggested having Scott Wyatt weigh in on the counterproposal and take it back to the task force before approval. Board member Beck made a motion that we approve the first two recommendations on this counterproposal for further work and the others can be continued to be studied as needed and thank the presidents for their work. Board member Shawn Newell seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Council of Presidents

President Paul Hacking shared the technical college presidents are working on performance goals. They are concerned about salaries and retention of qualified applicants. They’ve worked hard on program alignment and hope to have more systemwide articulation agreements once it’s done.

President Richard Williams shared concerns from the degree granting presidents. They feel they could be the solutions for most issues that are within the system. This was an information item only; no action required.

Hispanic-Serving Institutions Discussion

President Brad Mortensen provided an overview of Hispanic Serving Institutions. Chair Church expressed appreciation to President Mortensen for leading out on this. This was an information item only; no action was taken. 

Strategic Plan Updates

Taylor Adams provided a general overview of the strategic plan to the Board members. She then reviewed the updates that were made. Commissioner Woolstenhulme mentioned Board member Eccles would like to add quality to the plan. The plan should be reviewed every six months to ensure it is updated. Chair Church encouraged Board members to focus on one or two tactic items in their committees. Hopefully, by July 2023, the committees will have tangible results. Board member Eccles reiterated the importance of adding quality to the plan. Board member Bettridge moved to adopt changes as discussed. Board member Arthur Newell seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

USHE FY2023-24 Operating Budget Request

Juliette Tennert provided an overview of the USHE FY2023-24 Operating Budget Request with the Board. Melanie Heath spoke about the mental health request included in the budget and student wellness aspect. Board member Eccles moved to approve the FY2023-24 USHE operating budget priorities and authorize the Commissioner to make any subsequent technical adjustments, including rounding, necessary to finalize the budget prior to submitting it to the Governor and Legislature. Board member Bettridge seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

Utah State University Acquisition of Property by Exchange

Juliette Tennert explained the acquisition of property by exchange request from Utah State University. This was approved by Utah State University’s Board of Trustees and the Finance and Facilities Committee for the full Board to approve. Dave Cowley from USU explained where the property is located and what it has been used for. Scott Theurer noted the property doesn’t fit in the neighborhood and said this is a great opportunity. Board member Albrecht moved to authorize the property acquisition by exchange for Utah State University, as described in the accompanying documents. Board member Arthur Newell seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

University of Utah Series 2022C Revenue Bonds 

Juliette Tennert reviewed the University of Utah Series 2022C Revenue Bonds. Board member Arthur Newell moved to approve the resolution for the General Revenue Bonds as well as the Refunding Bonds. Board member Bettridge seconded the motion, and the motion passed. Board member Eccles recused herself from the vote.

Technical Education Tuition Related Policy Revisions

Juliette Tennert reviewed the policy changes that ensure the technical college rules align with degree-granting.

Board member Shawn Newell moved to:

• All listed policy changes be considered and approved.
• Rescind Technical College Policy 204.
• Policy provisions new to technical colleges are to have an effective date which is the earlier of when a course is offered for-credit, or July 1, 2023.

Board member Wheeler seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Huron Study & Shared Services

Juliette Tennert provided the Huron study background and introduced Adam Fennel and Peter Hart from Huron. Adam and Peter reviewed the study and the collaborative opportunities that were identified. Board member Eccles asked if they only looked at regionality and how they looked at different types of institutions within regions. Adam and Peter shared they looked at several different characteristics. Characteristics of institutions can drive opportunities for shared services. Juliette Tennert reviewed the six guiding principles of the shared services initiatives and the four action steps to move forward. Board member Albrecht and the presidents supported the results of the study. Board member Arthur Newell spoke to the recommended shared services regions. Chair Church stated the proposed service regions are the original ideas of where they’d like to go within the first 90 days. They are not forever. Commissioner Woolstenhulme shared that certain shared services will be statewide, including cyber security. Board member Starks moved to work towards implementation of shared services by:

1. Adopting regions for shared services.
2. Establishing initial guidelines for implementation.
3. Instructing the Commissioner’s office to coordinate a task force to develop relevant policies and procedures, prioritize opportunities, and make recommendations to the Board.

Board member Eccles seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

Mountainland Technical College – Acquisition of Property

Juliette Tennert presented the Mountainland Technical College Acquisition of Property to the Board. To ensure this land is acquired in a timely way, the institution is coming to the Board asking for approval to make the purchase. Mountainland Technical College Board of Trustees has approved the purchase. The Board Finance and Facilities Committee has reviewed and recommended it move forward. Board member Bettridge pointed out that the land’s location is worth more than the dollar figure. Board members Wheeler and Shawn Newell asked if there was a plan B if the legislature doesn’t fund it. President Christensen has discussed this with their trustees and they have a plan B in place. Board member Starks asked if there is additional land to add to it in the future, and if not, will the land be sufficient with the growth? President Christensen responded that there was no additional land, but the land was sufficient. Board member Eccles moved to authorize the property acquisition for Mountainland Technical College, as described in the accompanying documents. Board member Bettridge seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

FAFSA Completion Initiative

Melanie Heath shared the letter of support towards a FAFSA Completion Initiative. On September 9, Melanie Heath and Board member Theurer presented the case to the Board of Education, and it was voted down. This letter of support would be sent to the Board of Education to reconsider this request at their meeting in October. Board member Theurer asked that the Board support the letter. Board member Shawn Newell moved to approve the letter of support for FAFSA completion and send it to the Utah State Board of Education for their consideration. Board member Arthur Newell seconded the motion, and the motion passed. Board member Eccles asked if the letter was enough. Chair Church confirmed it is and that Melanie and Board member Theurer are working behind the scenes.

Consent Calendar

Board member Arthur Newell moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Board member Albrecht seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

Motion to Adjourn

Board member Bettridge made a motion to adjourn; Board member Wheeler seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Date Approved: November 18, 2022