Utah System of Higher Education

Weber State University

Friday, November 18, 2022

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Minutes

 

Board Members Present                                                                 Board Members Absent

Lisa-Michele Church, Chair                                                                      Stacey Bettridge

Jesselie Anderson, Vice Chair

Grace Acosta

Stan Albrecht

Julie Beck

Rich Christiansen

Sanchaita Datta

Hope Eccles

Korianne Gibson

Patricia Jones

Arthur Newell

Shawn Newell

Steve Starks

Scott Theurer

Xitlalli Villanueva

Rick Wheeler

 

Office of the Commissioner

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

Jared Haines, Senior Advisor for Technical Education

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

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

Katie Mazzie, Director of Student-Center Initiatives

Hilary Renshaw, Associate General Counsel

Juliette Tennert, Chief Financial Officer

Melissa Van Hien, Executive Assistant to the Commissioner

Scott Wyatt, Senior Executive Director of Statewide Online Education

Laura Zemp, Assistant Commissioner of Research

 

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

 

Weber State University Board of Trustees

Karla Bergeson, Vice Chair

Brent Bishop

Louenda Downs

Rob Higginson

Ashley Potokar

Keith Titus

Don Salazar

Amanda Covington

Other Guests

Montserrat Alanis, Weber State University

Bianca Alvarado, Weber State University

Cathy Anderson, Chief Financial Officer, University of Utah

Robin Burr, Chief Facilities Officer, University of Utah

Neftali Castaneda, WSUSA Cultural Clubs Chair, Weber State University

Dave Cowley, VP for Finance and Administrative Services, Utah State University

Sherri Cox, Executive Assistant to the President, Weber State University

Estefania Garcia

Michael Good, SVP for Health Sciences, University of Utah

Cristian Gutierrez, College Access and Retention Advisor Undocumented/DACA Specialist, Weber State   University

Gisela Hernandez

Bryan Magaña, Public Relations Director, Weber State University

Laura Marks, Chief of Staff, University of Utah

Chris Martin, VP for Finance and Administration, Salt Lake Community College

Yesenia Martinez

Paul Morris, VP of Administrative Affairs, Utah Tech University

Chris Nelson, Chief University Relations Officer and Secretary to the University, University of Utah

Pamela Nunez, Student Access Peer Advisor, Weber State University

Jessica Oyler, Associate Provost of Enrollment Management and Student Success, Weber State      University

Rosario Perez

Val Peterson, VP-Administration/Strategic Relations, Utah Valley University

Brian Rosas

Jonathan Rosas, WSUSA, Weber State University

Luis Rosas

Sara Rosas

Mya Taylor

Mercedes Ziegler, Weber State University Women’s Center

Yuquekcy Zuniga, student, Weber State University

 

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

President’s Report and Board of Trustees Report

President Mortensen provided a state of the university to the Board. He highlighted the recognition and awards that WSU has received. He reviewed the strategic plan goal areas. Board members asked President Mortensen questions related to alignment and student needs. Vice Chair Bergeson presented the trustee perspective of the state of the university. She asked for more guidance and training on the role of a trustee from the Board. Student Body President Ashley Potokar provided an update from the student perspective. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

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 Wheeler seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Closed Session

Board member Jones made a motion to end closed session; Board member Beck 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 Grace Acosta and Korianne Gibson. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Student Report

Student reports were provided by Joan Shumway from Ogden-Weber Technical College, and Yuritzi Rosas Hernandez and Billie Atsitty De Paiva from Weber State University. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Southwest Technical College Tuition & Differential Proposals

Juliette Tennert reviewed the Southwest Technical College Tuition and Differential Proposals with the group. In an effort to align tuition, this is the first technical college to adjust its tuition fee structure with the conversion from clock-hour to credit. It is revenue neutral. President Wood pointed out that this process took several months to review. Board member Datta moved to approve the new credit-based tuition rate for Southwest Technical College. Board member Jones seconded the motion and the motion passed. Board member Theurer moved to approve the new credit-based differential tuition rate for Southwest Technical College’s Professional Truck Driving Program. Board member Wheeler seconded the motion and the motion passed.

University of Utah – Addendum to Bonding Authority Resolution, Series 2022C General Revenue and Refunding Bonds

Juliette Tennert reviewed the request with the Board members. Board member Arthur Newell moved to approve the resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of general revenue bonds for the Medical Education and Discovery Complex (MEDX) at the University of Utah. Board member Datta seconded the motion and the motion passed. Board member Eccles recused herself from the vote.

2023-24 Guidelines for the Review and Recommendation of Tuition and General Fee Adjustments by Institutional Boards of Trustees

Juliette Tennert reviewed the guidelines for trustees with the group. Board members expressed concern that they and the trustees do not have the necessary data and information. Board member Beck moved to have more time, now that we’ve had this initial discussion, to be able to have more information and maybe bring it back up again in the January meeting. Board member Acosta seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Requests for Revenue Bond-Financed Projects for the 2023 Legislative Session

Juliette Tennert introduced the Requests for Revenue Bond-Finance Projects. Cathy Anderson reviewed the University of Utah’s West Village Family and Graduate Housing Phase 2, First Year Student Housing, and the South Campus Parking Garage projects. Board member Theurer asked for an analysis of parking when proposals on housing are presented. The University of Utah will report on the parking and transportation plan when they return to the Board with the project. Board member Acosta moved to approve the request for the University of Utah’s West Village Family and Graduate Housing Phase 2, First Year Student Housing, and the South Campus Parking Garage for legislative action. If the Legislature authorizes the bonds, institutions’ requests for an approving resolution should include financial analyses that document the feasibility and sufficiency of revenue streams necessary to support the institution’s currently outstanding indebtedness and the proposed revenue bonds, as well as any other information required by statute or policy. Board member Shawn Newell seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Dave Cowley reviewed Utah State University’s South Campus Residence Hall and South Campus Parking Terrace projects. Board member Arthur Newell expressed concern that the parking structure may need to be bigger for that particular area of campus. Board member Theurer moved to approve the request for Utah State University’s South Campus Residence Hall and South Campus Parking Terrace for legislative action. If the Legislature authorizes the bonds, institutions’ requests for an approving resolution should include financial analyses that document the feasibility and sufficiency of revenue streams necessary to support the institution’s currently outstanding indebtedness and the proposed revenue bonds, as well as any other information required by statute or policy. Vice Chair Anderson seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Mountainland Technical College & Salt Lake Community College – Architectural Programming

Juliette Tennert described the architectural programming projects at Mountainland Technical College and Salt Lake Community College. Questions were raised and addressed regarding enrollment and resources. Vice Chair Anderson moved to authorize Mountainland Technical College to proceed with programming for Wasatch Campus. Board member Arthur Newell seconded the motion and the motion passed. Board member Shawn Newell moved to authorize Salt Lake Community College to proceed with programming of the Business Building expansion and renovation. Board member Starks seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Consent Calendar

Board member Eccles requested that an index be added to the Consent Calendar. Vice Chair Anderson moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Board member Eccles seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

Board Discussion on Completion / Data Dashboards

Key Student Indicators and Attainment Goal Progress

Carrie Mayne provided a background to the data dashboard discussion and walked through the completion measures with the Board members. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Completion Analysis and Deep Dive

Chair Church encouraged Board members to ask questions that the data can answer. The Board members and presidents discussed the key measures they would like identified in the data. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Completion Innovation Showcase

President Tuminez reviewed student indicators and the attainment goal progress. She highlighted the specific innovations from the following universities: Utah Valley University, Weber State University, Utah Tech University, University of Utah, Utah State University, Southern Utah University, Snow College, and Southern Utah University. Her presentation focused on some college, no degree. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Next Steps

Chair Church shared a list of completion initiatives, including high-touch tutoring, food security, peer counseling, childcare vouchers, FAFSA completion, tuition waivers, and UCAC advisors. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Governor’s Tuition Freeze

Chair Church led a discussion with the Board member regarding Governor Cox’s tuition freeze recommendation on October 20, 2022. The Board members agreed they should support the Governor in his decision. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Review of State Audit

Chair Church reviewed the results of the State Audit with the Board members and presidents and shared the changes that will be made. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Shared Services

The Shared Services Task Force will help the Board identify ways to consolidate and reduce system costs. Board member Arthur Newell asked the presidents to be bold in their thinking and encouraged their participation. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Committee Reports

Committee Chair Theurer provided updates from the Student Affairs Committee. The committee asked all sixteen institutions to work with the Simplified Admissions Task Force to create simplified admissions. They also discussed FAFSA completion and social determinants of success in the committee meeting. Committee Chair Albrecht reviewed updates from the Academic Education Committee. They discussed the need to narrow down what questions they wanted answered to drive the needed data. Committee Chair Shawn Newell provided an update on the Technical Education Committee Meeting. They discussed program alignment and the program approval process. Committee Chair Arthur Newell gave updates from the Financial and Facilities Committee Meeting. Shared Services had a big emphasis at the meeting. He and Chair Church recognized my529 for its Morning Star Gold rating. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Council of Presidents

President Brad Mortensen shared concerns from the degree-granting presidents. He asked for advocacy and support through performance funding when there will be record tax revenues that can be used for education. They’re working on flushing out two parts of the Statewide Online Education Proposal, which they will present at the Board meeting in January. President Jim Taggart provided concerns from the technical college presidents. He highlighted program alignment, length of certificate programs, and Northstar. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Institutional Roles & Mission

Due to time restraints, this agenda item was not addressed.

Becoming Native/Indigenous Serving Institutions

Kristian Olsen from USU Blanding discussed becoming a native/indigenous serving institution. He touched on a few things they’re doing at Utah State University. Lais Martinez contextualized where the system is currently at with becoming native/indigenous serving institutions and reviewed what is needed from the system and institutions. Hunter Warren, a current USU Blanding student, talked about his experience at USU Blanding. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Campus Safety and Equity Advisory Council Update

Board member Villanueva gave a report from the Campus Safety and Equity Advisory Council. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Long-Term Board Agenda Plan

Due to time restraints, this agenda item was not addressed.

Annual Report on Institutional Revenue Bond Indebtedness

Due to time restraints, this agenda item was not addressed.

Certification for State’s Moral Obligation Pledge for Debt

Due to time restraints, this agenda item was not addressed.

Utah State University – Trustee Property Action

Due to time restraints, this agenda item was not addressed.

Snow College – Trustee Property Action

Due to time restraints, this agenda item was not addressed.

Annual Report on Leased Space

Due to time restraints, this agenda item was not addressed.

Motion to Adjourn

Board member Datta made a motion to adjourn; Board member Albrecht seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Date Approved: January 13, 2023