Utah System of Higher Education
Dixie State University, St. George, Utah
Virtual Meeting, Zoom
Friday, March 26, 2021

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Minutes

Board Members Present 
Harris H. Simmons, Chair
Aaron Osmond, Vice Chair
Nina R. Barnes, Vice Chair
Wilford W. Clyde
Jesselie B. Anderson
Jera L. Bailey
Arthur E. Newell
Patricia Jones
Lisa-Michele Church
Scott Theurer
Crystal Maggelet
Shawn Newell
Candyce Damron
Glen Rivera
Alan E. Hall
Mike Angus
Sanchaita Datta

Board Members Absent
Stacey K. Bettridge

Office of the Commissioner
Dave R. Woolstenhulme, Commissioner of Higher Education
Rich Amon, Chief Financial Officer
Geoffrey Landward, Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel
Julie Hartley, Associate Commissioner of Academic Education
Jessica Gilmore, Associate Commissioner of Workforce Development
Spencer Jenkins, Chief Student Affairs Officer
Carrie Mayne,
Melanie Heath,
Malissa Jones, Office Manager

Institutional Presidents Present  

Committee of the Whole

Chair Simmons called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. 

Dixie State Student Recognition

The DSUSA Executive Council was recognized by the Board for their dedication and commitment to the students during the Dixie State University name change process. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Student Update

Student updates were provided by Penny Mills from Dixie State University, Sarah Davis from Dixie Technical College and Alicia Saunders from Dixie Technical College. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Institution Presidents Update

President Stephenson from Dixie Technical College and President Williams from Dixie State University presented institution updates to Board members. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Committee Updates (TAB A)

Committee updates were provided by Board member Church, Board member Jones, Board member Newell, and Board member Clyde. This was an information item only; no action was taken.   

Innovation Task Force Update (TAB B)

Jessica Gilmore gave a brief updated for Board members on the progress of the Innovation Task Force. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

EDI Committee Update and Resolution (TAB C)

Board member Newell and Church updated the Board on the progress of the EDI Committee.  

On a motion by Board member Theurer and seconded by Board member Damron the resolution of Support for DACA and Dreamers was adopted by the Board. 

Board Training R&R

Geoff Landward provided Board members with training on the resource and review process. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Utah Foundation Report (TAB F)

Peter Reichard, President of Utah Foundation provided a summary of the Utah Foundations report. The report focused on adult learners, first-generation students, and lower-income students. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Strategic Plan (TAB E)

Melanie Heath and Carrie Mayne provided an update on the strategic plan. Committee chairs provided feedback on the strategies and tactics from committee discussions. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Legislative Session Summary (TAB G)

Commissioner Woolstenhulme provided a brief update on the past legislative session. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

Transfer Council Recommendations (TAB H)

Board member Damron, Board member Barnes and Julie Hartley provided information on the recommendation on the transfer initiatives. Board member Damron moved that the Board approve the recommendations from the Board Transfer Council and authorize the Commissioner’s office and the institutions to work on piloting direct transfer pathways in selected majors to redefine the expectations for associate of arts and associate of science degrees in policy. The motion was seconded by Board member Angus and the motion passed.  

American Rescue Plan Act Stimulus Funding Priorities (TAB I)

Commissioner Woolstenhulme discussed the list of potential funding priorities with Board members.   Board member Clyde made a motion to adopt the potential funding priorities listed in TAB I. The motion was seconded by Board member Arthur Newell and the motion passed.    

General Consent Calendar (TAB J)

Board member Osmond made a motion to approve the consent calendar. The motion was seconded by Board member Shawn Newell and the motion passed.

• Minutes – Minutes of the Board meeting January 15, 2021
• Finance and Facilities Items
• Technical Education Items
• Academic Education Items
• Grant Proposals
• Awards

2021-22 Board Meeting Schedule (TAB K)

The Board proposed 2021-22 meeting schedule was discussed by Board members. The May meeting location was changed to the Cottonwood Club.  Board member Maggelet made a motion to approve the 2021-22 Board Meeting Schedule. The motion was seconded by Board member Osmond and the motion passed.  

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

Geoffrey Landward, Secretary