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2016 Legislative Update – Week 4

Higher Education Day on the Hill 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… Continue Reading 2016 Legislative Update – Week 4

Utah’s colleges and universities get creative to increase institutional efficiency

Earlier this month, USHE presidents provided updates to the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee on their progress on implementing the Board of Regents’ Completion Strategies, as well as improving institutional efficiencies. USHE presidents are constantly reprioritizing resources within their institutional budgets to expand new programs, reduce bottleneck courses, and maintain overall institutional efficiency. Presidents shared some of the… Continue Reading Utah’s colleges and universities get creative to increase institutional efficiency

USHE prioritizes funding for initiatives that meet critical market demands

The Utah System of Higher Education is the primary provider of talent for Utah’s workforce and economy. This includes short-term skill training for a certificate, associate degree, baccalaureate, and graduate programs. The Board of Regents budget request for 2016-17 includes a priority for Market Demand programs, which would assist institutions in meeting the most pressing demands of… Continue Reading USHE prioritizes funding for initiatives that meet critical market demands

Merit-based compensation increase for USHE employees crucial to remaining competitive in a national market

A 3% merit-based compensation increase (and a 7.3% health increase) is the top budget priority for the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE). Competitive compensation allows USHE to hire—and maintain—the best talent for Utah college students. Utah competes in a national marketplace for faculty talent. The average compensation for USHE faculty and staff is consistently lower… Continue Reading Merit-based compensation increase for USHE employees crucial to remaining competitive in a national market

2016 Legislative Update – Week 3

Higher Education Budget 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 from other legislative sponsors. After the Board’s budget priorities by Chair Dan Campbell and Commissioner Buhler, Senator Howard Stephenson commented, “To the… Continue Reading 2016 Legislative Update – Week 3

Tech use in higher ed continues to increase, but less than 3% of students enroll solely online

Technology plays an increasingly important role in college students’ lives. Students use technology throughout their college education, from courses taught partially or entirely online, to registration, instructor evaluations, and tuition payments. Completely online programs offered USHE institutions now offer 1,738 fully online courses, 140 of which were added in the last year. There are also… Continue Reading Tech use in higher ed continues to increase, but less than 3% of students enroll solely online

2016 Legislative Update – Week 2

The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee met twice this week, focusing on the existing base budget for higher education as well as extensive discussion on career and technical education (CTE) at postsecondary institutions. More information is available from the USHE 2015 CTE Report. Presidents Dave Pershing of the University of Utah… Continue Reading 2016 Legislative Update – Week 2

Number of engineering and computer science degrees continues to rise

The number of engineering and computer science degrees earned in Utah continues to rise, thanks in part to the Engineering and Computer Technology Initiative. In 2001, the State Legislature established this initiative within the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), which aimed to increase the number of students graduating from engineering, computer science and related technology… Continue Reading Number of engineering and computer science degrees continues to rise

2016 Legislative Update – Week 1

Overview The 2016 Session of the Utah State Legislature got underway Monday, January 25, and will conclude Thursday, March 11. It is anticipated there will be several bills with potential impact to the Utah System of Higher Education, all of which will be carefully tracked by the Commissioner’s Office and institutions. 2016-2017 Budget According to… Continue Reading 2016 Legislative Update – Week 1