2017 Legislative Update – Week 4
Higher Education Luncheon Regents, Trustees, Presidents and student leaders gathered on Friday for the annual higher education luncheon in the Capitol Rotunda. Attended by over 75 legislators, including members of legislative leadership, it was a good opportunity to re-emphasize USHE’s budget and capital development priorities. The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee… Continue Reading 2017 Legislative Update – Week 4
Utah College Application Week reaches record 32 Utah school districts
During November 2016, almost 20,000 high school seniors from 32 school districts (117 high schools) throughout the state participated in Utah College Application Week (UCAW) events. Utah College Application Week events give high school seniors the opportunity to apply to college during the school day, with advisors available to help with the application process as needed. Lieutenant… Continue Reading Utah College Application Week reaches record 32 Utah school districts
Need for mental health services increases across Utah, including on higher ed campuses
There’s been a marked increase in Utahns seeking mental health services in recent years. This increase is exacerbated by a shortage of mental health professionals in Utah, especially in rural areas, and difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified professionals. In fact, most states have serious shortage issues for mental health professionals. Along with general statewide growth, there… Continue Reading Need for mental health services increases across Utah, including on higher ed campuses
2017 Legislative Update – Week 3
Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee met for its final scheduled hearing this week, focusing on the Board of Regents’ budget priorities for USHE. The committee also considered other budget requests. Understandably, the top priority of the subcommittee is to restore the 2% across-the-board budget cut. The subcommittee also voted to hold… Continue Reading 2017 Legislative Update – Week 3
From degrees to staffing, higher ed in Utah is among the most cost-efficient in the nation
Cost and funding A combination of relatively low costs and low tuition rates make USHE institutions among the most efficient and affordable in the country. USHE’s four-year institutions have the the fourth-lowest tuition and fees in the U.S., and the average tuition funds per full-time equivalent (FTE) student at a USHE institution are 14% below… Continue Reading From degrees to staffing, higher ed in Utah is among the most cost-efficient in the nation
National School Counseling Week
National School Counseling Week 2017, “School Counseling: Helping Students Realize Their Potential,” will be celebrated from February 6-10, 2017, to focus public attention on the unique contributions of school counselors. Sponsored by the American School Counselor Association, National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success… Continue Reading National School Counseling Week
2017 Legislative Update – Week 2
The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee The subcommittee met twice this week, hearing from seven of the eight USHE presidents. Each president advocated the Board of Regents’ unified budget priorities, highlighted notable accomplishments and provided compelling arguments of the critical need for increased state funding at their institutions. The subcommittee, as directed by the Executive Appropriations… Continue Reading 2017 Legislative Update – Week 2
Assets at Utah Educational Savings Plan pass $10 billion
Continuing growth underscores UESP’s value to families saving for higher education The Utah Educational Savings Plan (UESP) announced last week that its assets under management topped $10 billion, a milestone capping 20 years as Utah’s official and only tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan. The path to $10 billion began in 1996, when the Utah Legislature… Continue Reading Assets at Utah Educational Savings Plan pass $10 billion
2017 Legislative Update – Week 1
Overview The 2017 Session of the Utah State Legislature got underway Monday, January 23, and will conclude Thursday, March 9. It is anticipated there will be several bills with potential impact to the Utah System of Higher Education, all of which will be tracked and responses coordinated by the Commissioner’s Office and institutions. 2017-2018 Budget According… Continue Reading 2017 Legislative Update – Week 1
One year in: Progress report on the Board of Regents’ 10-year strategic plan for higher ed
As Utah’s public institutions enroll the vast majority of Utah high school graduates, the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) is the primary workforce pipeline in the state. USHE’s ability to encourage students to participate in higher education and graduate with a meaningful credential is key to Utah’s prosperity. But over the next ten years,… Continue Reading One year in: Progress report on the Board of Regents’ 10-year strategic plan for higher ed