Utah System of Higher Education
Virtual Meeting
Friday, October 1, 2021

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MINUTES

Board Members Present 
Harris H. Simmons, Chair
Aaron Osmond, Vice Chair
Nina R. Barnes, Vice Chair
Jesselie B. Anderson
Jera L. Bailey
Stacey K. Bettridge
Lisa Michele Church
Wilford W. Clyde
Sanchaita Datta
Patricia Jones
Crystal Maggelet
Tanner Marcum
Arthur E. Newell
Shawn Newell
Valirie Serawop
Scott Theurer

Board Members Absent
Alan Hall
Mike Angus

Office of the Commissioner
Dave R. Woolstenhulme, Commissioner of Higher Education
Geoffrey Landward, Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel
Rich Amon, Chief Financial Officer
Trisha Dugovic, Director of Communication
Brynn Fronk, Executive Assistant to the Utah Board of Higher Education
Julie Hartley, Associate Commissioner of Academic Education
Melanie Heath, Associate Commissioner of Strategic Initiatives and Access
Malissa Jones, Office Manager
Carrie Mayne, Chief Economist
Loreen Olney, Administrative Assistant
Dave Schwanke, UHEAA
Kim Ziebarth, Associate Commissioner of Technical Education

Guests
Lee Donner, Regional Managing Director, Hilltop Securities
Tim Webb, Director, Hilltop Securities
Mark Weadick, Managing Director, SL Capital Strategies
Patrick Belica, Managing Director, SL Capital Strategies
Wayne Vaught, Utah Valley University, Provost/Sr. Vice President for Academic Affairs
Blake Wade, Attorney, Gilmore Bell

Institutional Presidents Present
Chad Campbell, Bridgerland Technical College
Clay Christensen, Mountainland Technical College
Mindy Benson, Southern Utah University
Astrid S. Tuminez, Utah Valley University
Kelle Stephens, Dixie Technical College
James Taggart, Ogden-Weber Technical College
Brad J. Cook, Snow College
Brennan Wood, Southwest Technical College
Brad L. Mortensen, Weber State University

Committee of the Whole

Chair Simmons called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.

Funding Recommendations for Dee/Emerging Tech grants from Deep Tech Advisory Council (TAB A)

Board member Datta provided a summary to the Board of the funding recommendations for the Dee/Emerging Tech grants from the Deep Tech Advisory Council. Board member Shawn Newell made a motion that the nine grant proposals selected by the Deep Technology Advisory Council be approved by the Board for recommendation to the legislature for funding; Board member Sanchaita Datta seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Masks in a Medical Setting

Geoff Landward provided an update on masks in a medical setting to the Board. Board member Jones made a motion to authorize USHE institutions to require face coverings for individuals in a medical setting at an institution of higher education in accordance with Utah Code 53B-3-103(2)(d); Board member Church seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Closed Session

Board member Datta made a motion to go into closed session to discuss fiduciary or commercial information of the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority and to discuss the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual; Board member Barnes seconded the motion and the motion passed.

UHEAA Legacy Portfolio

Board member Church made a motion to approve the proposed Authorizing Resolution to sell the UHEAA FFELP loan portfolio and also authorize the Commissioner to work with the state legislature to establish a higher education endowment fund for funds released from the sale of the UHEAA FFELP loan portfolio; Board member Osmond seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Motion of Future Resolution for UHEAA

Board member Maggelet made a motion for a future resolution of appreciation for UHEAA; Board member Church seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Motion to Adjourn

Board member Jones made a motion to adjourn; Board member Anderson seconded the motion and the motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.

Date Approved: November 19, 2021