Commencement 2015: USU, WSU, Snow College & UVU celebrate their graduates
Utah’s colleges and universities are celebrating the accomplishments of their graduates in commencement ceremonies last week and this week. We will be highlighting photos from institutions in the Utah System of Higher Education in two installments, with the rest of the institutions coming next week. Utah State University: 4,917 graduates Associate: 1,066 Bachelor’s: 3,818 Master’s: 835 […]
ImPACT grant program works to increase number of low-income and underrepresented students who enter and succeed in college
ImPACT subgrants, administered by the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education with funds provided by the College Access Challenge Grant, are awarded to programs run by institutions in the Utah System of Higher Education that work to significantly increase the number of low-income and underrepresented students who are prepared to enter and succeed in college. […]
Increased demand for college-educated workforce highlighted in new report on the changing U.S. economy
A common, rather pessimistic argument on the state of today’s economy is that it puts more and more college-educated, skilled workers into dead-end service jobs for which they are overqualified. This simply isn’t true. The shift in America’s workforce has not been from factories to fast-food outlets. Rather, employment growth has come in offices and […]
Faculty and staff salaries at Utah’s public colleges are consistently below national peers
It is well-known that the academic labor market is a national market, and candidates are willing and able to move across the country for an open position. Unfortunately, salaries for faculty and staff at institutions in the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) are significantly less than those at peer institutions across the country. Not only does this […]
The impact of a 2% budget cut
As part of the one-time budget reduction made by the Executive Appropriations Committee before the 2015 legislative session, all appropriations subcommittees were requested to identify a 2% cut to existing base budgets, including higher education. The stated intent is to “stress test” areas of the state budget to help inform budget priorities for the upcoming […]
USHE response to 2014 legislative intent language
In 2014, the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, and subsequently the State Legislature as a whole, adopted intent language for the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) to report on completion, transfer, job placement, cost and the transition from developmental to college-level math. Highlights from the report include: Graduation rates Completing a bachelor’s degree in 100% of time […]
Consider sending your state income tax refund directly to your UESP account
Want to pocket more money for college? While preparing your 2014 Utah state income tax returns, consider sending your state income tax refund directly to your Utah Educational Savings Plan (UESP) account. Your refund will be applied equally among accounts owned by you and, if you file taxes jointly, your spouse. On the last page […]
Research on Capitol Hill event showcases undergraduate research at UU, USU
Utah’s Research on Capitol Hill is an annual celebration of undergraduate research, and was held January 29, 2015, in the Rotunda of the State Capitol. It features undergraduate research projects from students studying at the University of Utah and Utah State University. Students of all disciplines share the results of their investigations with legislators. The event […]
Utah college students lag nation in taking advantage of available financial aid opportunities
Completing and submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the single most important thing a student can do to get assistance paying for college. By completing this application, students find out how much financial aid they qualify for, including Pell Grants. Also, students usually can’t qualify for need-based or merit-based aid without a FAFSA on […]
USHE institutions set goals to increase college completion rates
Increasing the number of students who successfully complete college with a degree or certificate has been a top priority of the Board of Regents for nearly a decade, and it was reaffirmed with the Board’s new strategic objectives approved last week. In July 2013, the Board passed a college completion resolution, identifying five initiatives proven […]