STATE BOARD OF REGENTS
SNOW COLLEGE, EPHRAIM, UTAH
FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2016

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MINUTES

Office of the Commissioner
David L. Buhler, Commissioner of Higher Education
Elizabeth Hitch, Associate Commissioner for Academic Affairs
Kimberly L. Henrie, Associate Commissioner for Finance & Facilities

Institutional Presidents Present
Dr. Ruth Watkins for David W. Pershing, University of Utah
Noelle Cockett for Stan L. Albrecht, Utat State University
Scott L Wyatt, Southern Utah University
Gary L. Carlston, Snow College
Matthew S. Holland, Utah Valley University
Michael Lacourse for Richard B. Williams, Dixie State University
Dr. Clifton Sander for Deneece G. Huftalin, Salt Lake Community College
Charles Wight, Weber State University

Other Commissioner’s Office and institutional personnel were also present. The signed role is on file in the Commissioner’s Office.

Vice Chair Davis called the meeting to order at 1:31 p.m. and turned the time over to President Carlston for his State of the College.

State of the College
President Carlston welcomed the Regents and guests to Snow College. He thanked all those who work hard to make Snow College successful. President Carlston noted Snow College’s core themes are to be innovative, forward thinking, changing, improving and engagement. Along with those core themes they want to serve well. Snow is a community college with open enrollment and wants to remain that way, but at the same time, wants to respond to the economic and educational needs of the area. Snow’s strategic plan emphasises quality, changing and revamping their general education program and making it more integrated, acknowledging their responsibilities in the area of economic development, and making sure students can afford to be there. He noted Snow’s service area includes six counties; Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Wayne, and Snow wants to serve well in these areas. Their focus is on success. One very important perspective and what President Carlston wants everyone to remember, is the highest priority and its success relies on the success of the faculty and staff. He also made note of several accomplishments: for the last six years Snow has been recognized nationally from the Aspen Institute, and this year they have been invited to submit an application to receive a 1 million dollar award; for two consecutive years the women’s basketball team has had the highest GPA among community colleges in the nation; the students have ranked the professors at Snow as the 14th best in the nation; 60% of students at Snow take 30 credits per year. Snow has created several programs to help students be successful; Snow Block, Dollar Smart and Care for Students. He stated they know students need financial aid and guidance. They also know completing college is not just about taking classes and sometimes students face emotional challenges. Snow is growing and for the first time they have reached over 5000 students. They are also growing in diversity. Snow College has the lowest tuition in the state and if they can get students to campus, they can keep students. They must stay affordable. They must also be responsive; in that last two years they have added 40 programs. He emphasized the success of the music department. Snow has a new Robert and Joyce Graham Science Center being built and it should be completed in August 2017. He also noted the nursing program was fully accredited last Fall. President Carlston closed by saying we must never forget that the top priority is the student.

Vice-chair Davis thanked President Carlston and acknowledged Regents and Presidents not in attendance.

General Consent Calendar TAB V
Vice-chair Davis asked for a motion to approve, Regent Theurer motioned to approve and was seconded by Regent Zenger; the following items were approved on the Regents’ General Consent Calendar:
A. Minutes – Minutes of Board meetings April 1, 2016, Dixie State University
B. Grant Proposals
C. Awards
D. Academic Items Received and Approved

Reports of Board Committees

Academic and Student Affairs Committee
Regent Prince stated they had an excellent committee meeting today and noted they have five action items to cover. The first two were:
University of Utah – Doctor of Philosophy Nutrition and Integrative Physiology (TAB A)
University of Utah – Masters of Science in Sports Medicine (TAB B)

The committee had a good discussion on both items and were unanimously approved in committee. Regent Prince moved to approve both items as outlined in Tabs A and B. The motion was seconded by Regent Stoddard and the motion carried.

Weber State University – Bachelor of Science in Emergency Healthcare Services (TAB C)
Weber State University – Bachelor of Science in Outdoor and Community Recreation with Emphases in Outdoor Recreation Administration and Community Recreation Administration (TAB D)
Regent Prince made note that TAB C should read Bachelor of Science in Emergency Healthcare Sciences and this was amended in committee. Regent Prince stated both were approved unanimously in committee and moved to approve as outlined in Tabs C and D. The motion was seconded by Regent Marquardt and the motion carried.

Process to Support Institutional Proposals for Strategic Workforce Investment Funds (TAB E)
Regent Prince noted this is action to allow the Commissioner to act on behalf of the Regents. Regent Prince moved to approve as outlined in Tab E. The motioned was seconded by Regent Simmons and the motion carried.

Institutional Completion Update: Snow College (TAB F)
The New Student-Friendly Regents’ and New Century Scholarship Application and Administration System (TAB G)
Regent Prince noted they heard fantastic presentations on both Tab F and G. These are information items and no action was taken.

Finance/Facilities Committee

Snow College – Campus Master Plan Approval (TAB H)
Regent Marquardt noted they discussed land acquisitions and needs in the future. The committee unanimously approved in committee; Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outlined in Tab H. The motion was seconded by Regent Zenger and the motion carried.

Snow College – Endowment Fund Investment Policy (TAB I)
Regent Marquardt noted the committee fully endorsed and moved to approve as outlined in Tab I. The motioned was seconded by Regent Barnes and the motion carried.

University of Utah – Series 2016 Approving Resolution for General Revenue and Refunding Bond Issue (TAB J)
Regent Marquardt noted this is to construct a new David Eccles School of Business Executive Education Building for up to 55 million and to refund up to 100 million of previously issued revenue bonds. The timing will depend on the market. Regent Marquardt motioned to approve as outlined in Tab J. The motion was seconded by Regent Jones and the motion carried.

Utah State University – Series 2016 Approving Resolution for Research Revenue Bond Issue (TAB K)
Regent Marquardt noted this is to finance the construction of phase two of the Space Dynamics Laboratory. This was previously authorized by the legislature with principal not to exceed 12.5 million and interest rate not to exceed 5.5%. Regent Marquardt motioned to approve as outline in Tab K. The motion was seconded by Regent Simmons and the motion carried.

Utah State University – Series 2016 Approving Resolution for Student Fee and Housing System Revenue Bond Issue (TAB L)
Regent Marquardt noted this is for the Blue Square Apartment Complex and has previously been discussed; principal amount not to exceed 20.5 million, interest rate not to exceed 5.5%. Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outlined in Tab L. The motion was seconded by Regent Zenger and the motion passed.

Utah Valley University – Non-State Funded Athletic Dome Project Approval (TAB M)
Regent Marquardt noted this project will be financed with Western Athletic Conference Affiliation Funds. Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outlined in Tab M. The motion was seconded by Regent Clyde and the motion carried.

USHE – Revision of Policy R512, Determination of Resident Status (TAB N)
Regent Marquardt noted this change will have a limited impact. Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outlined in Tab N. The motion was seconded by Regent Barnes and the motion carried.

USHE – Revision of Policy R513, Tuition Waiver and Reductions (TAB O)
Regent Marquardt noted this will add partial waivers and allow for online coursework, and stated this will have limited impact. Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outlined in Tab O. The motion was seconded by Regent Simmons and the motion carried.

USHE – Capital Development Prioritization (CDP) Cycle – Adoption of Priority Guidelines (TAB P)
Regent Marquardt noted there has been a lot discussion and the result was no change to the policy. However, there will be an effort to be more transparent and open with how the points will be put together. Additionally, the information will be shared with the institutions prior to the September Board of Regents meeting. Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outlined in Tab P. The motion was seconded by Regent Clyde and the motion carried.

USHE – 2016-17 Performance Based funding Amendments and Allocations (TAB Q)
Regent Marquardt noted the legislation allocated 5 million in one-time funding for performance funding. This presents challenges because it is less than it was last year and it makes it difficult to fund long-term projects with one-time funds. There are two recommended changes for the funding model this year; 1) the legislative change in the definition of institutional efficiency, which takes out the graduation rate and no longer includes peer institutions, 2) the change in the data source used to identify graduate research expenditures. Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outlined in Tab W. The motion was seconded by Regent Barnes and the motion carried.

USHE – Enrollment Forecasts (TAB R)
Regent Marquardt noted we are projecting an average per institution of 52,000 or 2.6% annual growth in students and 35,000 or 2.5% in FTE over the next ten years. Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outline in Tab R. The motion was seconded by Regent Bowthorpe and the motion carried.

Southern Utah University – Series 2016 Auxiliary System and Student Building Fee Revenue Refunding Bonds (TAB S)

Regent Marquardt summarized as outlined in Tab S. This is information only and no action was taken.
USHE – Capital Improvement Update for 2016-17 (TAB T)
Regent Marquardt noted the State Building Board met in April and allocated 61 million to USHE for capital improvement projects, which is the largest amount ever appropriated by the state legislature. This is information only and no action was taken.

USHE – Institutions’ Health Plan Changes 2016-17 (TAB U)
Regent Marquardt noted this is information only and no action was taken.

Report of Nomination Committee and Election of Board Chair and Vice-chair for 2016-2018 (TAB W)
Regent Prince noted the nomination committee, which consists of himself, Regent Theurer and Regent Valdez, have completed their work and are pleased to put forward a motion that Regent Daniel W. Campbell be selected to serve as Chair of the Board of Regents and Regent France A. Davis as Vice-chair of the Board of Regents for a second term. Regent Prince motioned to approve the second term for Chair Campbell and Vice-chair Davis. The motion was seconded by Regent Theurer and the motion carried unanimously.

Regent Davis recognized Regent Bailey Bowthorpe for her year of service as the Student Regent. Regent Davis asked President Wyatt to comment. President Wyatt noted that Regent Bowthorpe served two years as a student body officer, has been a phenomenal student and is finishing up her Master’s degree. Regent Bowthorpe thanked the Regents for their efforts and has enjoyed being a member of the Regents over the last year.

Vice-chair Davis thanked those in attendance.

It was moved by Regent Stoddard and seconded by Regent Barnes to meet in Executive Session for the sole purpose of discussing the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of individuals. The motion carried.
The Board of Regents met in Executive Session until 3:45 p.m.