[Note: The Board did not formally approve these minutes.]

Utah System of Higher Education

Teleconference

Thursday, August 26, 2021

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Minutes

Board Members Present                                                      Board Members Absent

Harris Simmons, Chair                                                                                             Aaron Osmond, Vice Chair

Nina Barnes, Vice Chair                                                                                           Wilford Clyde

Jesselie Anderson                                                                                                         Alan Hall

Mike Angus                                                                                                                      Shawn Newell

Jera Bailey                                                                                                                        Valirie Serawop

Stacey Bettridge

Lisa-Michele Church

Sanchaita Datta

Patricia Jones

Crystal Maggelet

Tanner Marcum

Arthur Newell

Scott Theurer

Office of the Commissioner

Dave Woolstenhulme, Commissioner

Geoff Landward, Deputy Commissioner

Spencer Jenkins, Associate Commissioner for Government Relations

Malissa Jones, Office Manager

Institutional Presidents Present

Mindy Benson, Southern Utah University                                   Jim Taggart, Ogden-Weber Technical College

Chad Campbell, Bridgerland Technical College                       Astrid Tuminez, Utah Valley University

Deneece Huftalin, Utah Valley University                                   Richard Williams, Utah Tech University

Brad Mortensen, Weber State University                                     Brennan Wood, Southwest Technical College

Other Guests

Michael Good, Sr. Vice President of Health Sciences and Dean of the School of Medicine, University of         Utah

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

COVID-19 Response Options

Commissioner Woolstenhulme briefed the group on where the system currently stands with the COVID-19 response. Dr. Good provided an overview of what he has seen with the hospitalizations and healthcare. Geoff Landward reviewed the statute with the Board members and how it has changed over the last few days due to the vaccine. The system is allowed to require proof of vaccination as consideration of enrollment, provided students are given three different exemption options – 1. Medical, 2. Personal, and 3. Religious. The Commissioner asked the Board for more time to work with the legislature. Spencer Jenkins gave the Board an overview of what the institutions are doing with COVID-19 response. There was discussion amongst the group about a mask mandate, vaccination requirements and exemptions.

Motion to Adjourn

Vice Chair Barnes made a motion to adjourn; Board member Arthur Newell seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30 a.m.

Date Approved:  The Board did not formally approve these minutes.