Utah Board of Higher Education

Southern Utah University

Thursday, July 14, 2022

 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Minutes

 

Board Members Present     

Lisa-Michele Church, chair

Jesselie Anderson, vice chair

Stan Albrecht

Stacey Bettridge

Julie Beck

Rich Christiansen

Heather Johnson

Pat Jones

Arthur Newell

Shawn Newell

Steve Starks

Scott Theurer

Xitlalli Villanueva

Rick Wheeler

Board Members Absent

Grace Acosta

Sanchaita Datta

Hope Eccles

Office of the Commissioner

Dave R. Woolstenhulme, Commissioner of Higher Education

Geoffrey Landward, Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel

Taylor Adams, Associate Commissioner for Strategic Initiatives

Alison Adams-Perlac, Associate General Counsel

Trisha Dugovic, Director of Communication

Malin Francis, Director of Facilities & Planning

Brynn Fronk, Executive Assistant to the Utah Board of Higher Education

Russ Galt, Senior Assistant Commissioner for Technical Education Finance

Jared Haines, Senior Advisor for Technical Education

Julie Hartley, Associate Commissioner of Academic Education

Melanie Heath, Assistant Commissioner of Strategic Initiatives

Vic Hockett, Talent Ready Utah Director

Lais Martinez, Assistant Commissioner for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Carrie Mayne, Chief Economist

Jordan Passey, Budget and Planning Analyst

David Pulsipher, Audit Director

Brian Shuppy, Senior Assistant Commissioner for Budget and Planning

Juliette Tennert, Chief Financial Officer

Melissa Van Hien, Executive Assistant to the Commissioner

Scott Wyatt, Senior Executive Director of Online Education

Kim Ziebarth, Associate Commissioner of Technical Education

Institutional Presidents Present       

Mindy Benson, Southern Utah University (interim)

Brad Mortensen, Weber State University

Darin Brush, Davis Technical College

Taylor Randall, University of Utah

Chad Campbell, Bridgerland Technical College

Jordan Rushton, Dixie Technical College (interim)

Clay Christensen, Mountainland Technical College

Jim Taggart – Ogden-Weber Technical College

Noelle Cockett, Utah State University

Astrid Tuminez, Utah Valley University

Paul Hacking, Tooele Technical College

Aaron Weight – Uintah Basin Technical College

Deneece Huftalin, Salt Lake Community College

Richard Williams, Utah Tech University

Stacee McIff, Snow College (interim)

Brennan Wood, Southwest Technical College

Other Guests

Gil Almquist, Chair, Dixie Technical College Board of Trustees

Eliezer Bermudez, Dean of the College of Health Sciences, Utah Tech University

Joe de Brito

Brad Cook, Former President, Snow College

Jen Cook, Former First Lady, Snow College

Marvin Dodge, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Southern Utah University

Meena Iyer, Associate Professor of OT, Utah Tech University

Leslie Keisel, Chair, Snow College Board of Trustees

Colleen Kvetko, Vice Chair, Utah Tech University Board of Trustees

Michael Lacourse, Provost and VP of Academic Affairs, Utah Tech University

Donna Law, Executive Director for Development & Government Relations, Southern Utah University

Chris Nelson, Chief University Relations Officer and Secretary to the University, University of Utah

James Sage, Associate Provost, Southern Utah University

Laura Snow, Chief of Staff, University of Utah

Wayne Vaught, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Utah Valley University

Tiffany Wilson, Chair, Utah Tech University Board of Trustees

 

Chair Church called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.

Committee of the Whole

New Board Member Oath of Office

Brynn Fronk administered the Oath of Office to Board members Stan Albrecht, Steve Starks, Rich Christiansen, and Julie Beck. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

2022-23 Budget Initiatives Use of Funds Received

Juliette Tennert reviewed the reallocation of funding annual report with the Board members. Chair Church asked Juliette to clarify timing for the Board to do the new budget request for the upcoming legislative session. Juliette explained that the Board will review the institutional budget requests at the September Board meeting. These requests are for fiscal year 2024, which will start July 1, 2023. Chair Church encouraged the Board members to read the requests in the Board materials for the September Board meeting. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

2023-24 Budget Process Guidelines

Juliette Tennert explained the proposed budget process guidelines to use for the upcoming budget requests. The Finance and Facilities Committee reviewed it in their meeting earlier in the morning and they approved. The budget guidelines were created for the institutions to have a framework as they are thinking through their budget requests. Commissioner Woolstenhulme shared that the requests will be vetted through the Board committees in the August meetings. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Resolution of Appreciation of Jera Bailey

Chair Church acknowledged and highlighted Board member Jera Bailey’s service on the Board. Board member Theurer moved to approve the Resolution of Appreciation for Board member Jera L. Bailey. Board member Shawn Newell seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Resolution of Appreciation for Bradley J. Cook

Chair Church reviewed the Resolution of Appreciation for Bradley J. Cook and President Cook’s contributions as the president of Snow College. Board member Shawn Newell moved to approve the Resolution of Appreciation for Bradley J. Cook. Board member Bettridge seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Occupational Therapy Doctorate from Utah Tech 

Arthur Newell introduced the request that came before the Academic Affairs Committee in the June 2022 meeting. Utah Tech is proposing an occupational therapy doctorate, which is outside their institutional role as a regional university. Because of this, it requires approval from the Board. It has gone through all the prerequisite approval steps. Chair Church asked President Williams to provide background to the Board members so they understand the context of the request which President Williams provided. Board member Theurer asked the president to clarify that the crediting body would not accredit a master’s degree program. President Williams clarified that they would, but they would have to transition in a couple years and it would be an additional cost. Board member Theurer asked if the PT program is a doctorate level program which President Williams answered in the affirmative. Board member Jones asked if the students would be sufficiently prepared to take a doctoral program. President Williams explained that the students are very prepared and have all the prerequisites. Washington County is supposed to grow to the size of Pittsburgh in the next 14 years. They know there is going to be additional demands than what they have now. Board member Theurer asked if there are currently private or other providers of these kind of services that employ occupational therapists in their area. President Williams answered the school systems, nursing homes, and care facilities. Julie Hartley provided insight into the approval process for out of mission programs. Chair Church acknowledged Board member Eccles’s concerns about future accountability and review for an exception like this. Chair Church noted for the record that it is rare for the Board to approve these type of requests. Board member Theurer expressed support in approving the program request. Chair Church asked if this will be an ongoing thing because we might have continuing workforce needs in southern Utah. President Williams stated they don’t think they can predict that. Board member Johnson asked what the hesitation is in providing this program. Chair Church explained the role and mission of the regional school is not to provide doctoral programs. Board member Beck expressed support of the proposal. Board member Villanueva inquired about timing of the accreditation, financial aid for students in the program, and whether students in the program will stay in the area or leave out of state. President Williams stated the accreditation is a continual process, but the first graduating class will graduate from an accredited program. He also noted the students will qualify for financial aid and that their goal is to have as many students in the state or southern Utah area as possible, but that will vary depending who’s qualified. Board member Jones emphasized that occupational therapy not just for the elderly. Board member Jones moved to approve Utah Tech University’s out-of-mission Occupational Therapy Doctorate program under the narrow restrictive exception provided by statue and Board Policy R401, which gives the Board authority to approve an out-of-mission program. This proposed program has met the strict criteria of R401; specifically, it has received supportive feedback from peer institutions, demonstrated high regional and statewide workforce demand, explored and exhausted all potential of maximizing partnerships with other USHE institutions including the University of Utah, and lastly, it has demonstrated unique geographical isolation, necessitating a standalone program. Board member Theurer seconded the motion with the comment that this is a doctoral program because the accreditating body requires that, otherwise it would be a master’s program and it would be much easier for us to approve as a Board. So I can second it for that reason. The obvious need, employment opportunity, and the interest in it, but this is an exception. The motion passed. Board member Christiansen commented that exceptions cannot become a standard.

Board member Albrecht made a motion the Board places a moratorium on the review of any institutional out of roles and missions programs until completion of a comprehensive review and the development of potential changes to current policy. Board member Christiansen seconded the motion and Board member Beck opposed. The motion passed.

Capitol Facilities Request Priority Guideline

Juliette Tennert presented the recommended changes to policies, procedures, and guidelines to approve the state funded capitol project requests. Chair Church emphasized the issues they had in the past with the guidelines. The Commissioner expressed hesitation to going back to a queue due to the scrutiny from the legislature. Chair Church liked that the changes are data driven and tied to the strategic plan. Board member Jones moved to approve the 2023 Capital Facility Request Priority Guidelines. Board member Theurer seconded the motion and the motion passed. Board member Theurer moved to approve the revisions to policies R741 through R745. Vice Chair Anderson seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Odgen-Weber Technical College – Nontraditional Arrangement with Ogden School District

President Taggart reviewed the nontraditional arrangement between Ogden-Weber Technical College and Ogden School District. Chair Church asked if the President had any concerns he is worried about. President Taggart expressed they felt it would be more appropriate to build a brand new building instead of utilizing a building that used to be a youth corrections facility. Juliette Tennert shared they have vetted the program and have no concerns. They support the recommendation to approve. Board member Steve Starks moved to authorize Ogden-Weber Technical College to enter into a nontraditional arrangement with Ogden School District for a ground lease to construct an Ogden School District Technical High School Building. Board member Shawn Newell seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Promise Partnership Proposal

Juliette reviewed the Promise Partnership Proposal with the Board. Commissioner Woolstenhulme applauded and thanked former Board member Crystal Maggelet for the work she is doing. He stated they plan to reach out to multiple businesses across the state to leverage opportunities. Board member Steve Starks made a motion to approve FJ Management as a Promise Partner for the 2022-2023 academic year along with a thank you to them for their incredible leadership. Vice Chair Anderson seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Consent Calendar

Board member Theurer moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Board member Christiansen seconded the motion and the motion passed.

Motion to Adjourn

Board member Theurer made a motion to adjourn. Another Board member seconded the motion, but because of audio difficulties, we were unable to verify the Board members’ identity and the motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.

Date Approved:  September 16, 2022