STATE BOARD OF REGENTS
SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY, CEDAR CITY, UTAH
FRIDAY, JULY 15, 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
David W. Pershing, University of Utah
Noelle Cockett for Stan L. Albrecht, Utah State University
Scott L Wyatt, Southern Utah University
Gary L. Carlston, Snow College
Matthew S. Holland, Utah Valley University
Richard B. Williams, Dixie State University
Deneece G. Huftalin, Salt Lake Community College
Madonne Minor for 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.

Chair Campbell called the meeting to order at 11:19 p.m. and expressed his appreciation to President Wyatt and his staff for hosting. Turned time over to President Wyatt for the State of the University.

State of the University

President Wyatt began with a short video honoring Beverly Taylor Sorenson. The Beverly Taylor Sorenson Center for the Arts is a 39.1 million project that was just completed. Approximately 90% of the funds were privately gifted. It is the largest art center of its kind in a place the size of Cedar City. He went on to say if the Center of the Arts is the first major event for SUU, then the second is the Outdoor Nation and SUU won the national title of the Outdoor Championship. President Wyatt highlighted some of the outdoor programs at SUU and the beautiful lands around Cedar City. He then showed a brief film produced by a SUU student highlighting the national parks and monuments near SUU. One of the results of focusing on the outdoors is drawing the support of professional geologists, who are helping transform the old business building into a new science building. He then recognized the people who work behind the scenes to make SUU great, highlighting the facilities crew, which is working on reducing energy usage. This year SUU received the top award in the county for experiential learning. SUU also hosted the National Leadership Institute, and next year they will start the Experiential Journal. President Wyatt played another short video about experiential education. Over the last year SUU won two Big Sky championships: the football championship and the men’s cross county championship. He also highlighted two fun facts: Demario Warren, the new head football coach, is the first African American head football coach in Utah; Sadhaf Pervez is the first female coach for a men’s sport in Division I and is the head coach for SUU’s men’s tennis. SUU again has the best graduation rate in the region. Every graduate in the Technical Theater Program, for at least the last five years, is still working in their field. 87% of students applying to medical school were admitted (27 out of 31) and 100% of dental students were admitted. 100% of nursing graduates from SUU passed their nursing board exams on the first try. He highlighted a few successful medical students, and concluded by playing a video to show what SUU is really about; building relationships and mentoring between faculty, staff and students.
Chair Campbell thanked President Wyatt for his great report and began the Committee of the Whole by reading three resolutions.

Resolution for Richard Davis, UHEAA was read by Regent Stoddard.
Resolution for Fred Stringham, former Regent was read by Regent Simmons.
Resolution for Gerald Sherratt, former SUU President was read by Regent Barnes.
Chair Campbell moved to approve all three resolutions, the motion was seconded by Regent Zenger and the motion pass unanimously.

Report from Regent Jesselie B. Anderson on UCAT Board of Trustees
Regent Anderson noted this has been a difficult year for UCAT. Rob Brems, President of UCAT announced his retirement. Senator Osmond was chosen as the new President of UCAT and then declined, so President Brems stepped back in through the legislative session. New legislation changed the way the board members are selected and all members are now appointment by the Governor. The President of UCAT will now have the title of commissioner and the new title will read Utah College of Applied Technology, Commissioner of Technical Education. A search is now underway for a new commissioner. New leadership has been elected on the board with Jim Evans being the new Chair and Regent Steve Moore is the new Vice-chair. Regent Anderson deferred to Regent Moore for additional comments. Regent Moore said he was grateful for the opportunity to serve on the board.

Report from Regent Patricia Jones on recent meeting of Western Interstate Commissioner for Higher Education (WICHE)
Regent Jones noted 15 states and 2 territories are part of WICHE. There are three programs: Professional Student Exchange Program – Utah sent 44 students in podiatry or optometry and Utah received two students; Western Regional Graduate Program – Utah received 131 students and Utah sent 87 students to other states; Western Undergraduate Exchange – Utah received 1377 students and sent 960 to other states. WICHE recently launched the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement to more easily allow states to comply with federal requirements for registering online programs. WICHE last met in May in Laramie WY, noting this meeting was a transitional one with President David Longanecker retiring after 17 years and President Joe Garcia assuming the position.
Chair Campbell excused Regent Jones from the remainder of the meeting.

Open Meetings Law Training
Commissioner Buhler noted we would be showing a 12 minute video prepared by the state auditors for the Open Meetings Law Training. He also made note of a new annual report that summarizes and highlights facts throughout the year. Commissioner Buhler asked for questions. Regent Clyde stated the Trustee meeting is an open meeting and we need to keep a door open, to which Commissioner Buhler responded doors have been shut only for noise purposes. He also noted there has been a request to attend in the past which was allowed. Regent Clyde also stated that in closed session we should not be making any motions. This has not been done in the past; he just wanted to make the point that we shouldn’t’ in the future.

General Consent Calendar (TAB FF)
Chair Campbell asked for a motion to approve, Regent Davis motioned to approve and was seconded by Regent Barnes; the following items were approved on the Regents’ General Consent Calendar:
A. Minutes – Minutes of Board meetings May 20, 2016, Snow College
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 exceptionally long agenda and suggested we group approvals by institution.
University of Utah – Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering (TAB A)
University of Utah – Masters of Science in Business Analytics (TAB B)
Both received unanimous approval in committee and Regent Prince moved to approve as outlined in Tabs A and B. The motion was seconded by Regent Stoddard and the motion carried.

Weber State University – Associate of Applied Science in Controls Technology (TAB C)
Regent Prince noted the wonderful presentation and moved to approve as outlined in Tab C. The motion was seconded by Regent Simmons and the motion carried.

Dixie State University – Bachelor of Science in Digital Film (TAB D)
Regent Prince noted this was unanimously approved in committee and moved to approve as outlined in Tab D. The motion was seconded by Regent Davis and the motion carried.

Utah Valley University – Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science/Minor in Psychology (TAB E)
Utah Valley University – Master of Accountancy (TAB F)
Utah Valley University – Master of Computer Science (TAB G)
Utah Valley University – Master of Public Service (TAB H)
Utah Valley University – Master of Science in Cybersecurity (TAB I)
Utah Valley University – Master of Social Work (TAB J)
Regent Prince noted the above degrees represent a tremendous amount of work and were all unanimously approved in committee and moved to approved as outlined in Tabs E, F, G, H, I, J. The motioned was seconded by Regent Simmons and the motion carried.

Revision of Policy R205, Presidential Appointment, Term of Office, and Compensation (TAB K)
Regent Prince noted this revision comes about after extensive conversation and was approved in committee and moved to approve as outlined in Tab K. The motion was seconded by Regent Davis and the motion carried.

Adoption of Regent Policy R256, Student Disciplinary Processes (TAB L)
Regent Prince noted this policy appears appropriate and necessary and moved to approve as outlined in Tab L. The motion was seconded by Regent Theurer and the motion carried.

Revision of Policy R312, Configuration of the Utah System of Higher Education and Institutional Missions and Roles (TAB M)
Regent Prince noted this concerned Southern Utah University’s revision of their mission statement. The committee was impressed by the amount of work that went into the revision and the changes are appropriate. Regent Prince moved to approve as outlined in Tab M. The motion was seconded by Regent Zenger and the motion carried.

Adoption of Regent Policy R431, State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (TAB N)
Regent Prince noted this authorizes distance learning among states with this agreement. This was unanimously approved and Regent Prince moved to approve as outlined in Tab N. The motion was seconded by Regent Zenger and the motion carried.

College and Career Readiness Recommendations (TAB O)
Regent Prince noted this is to update the recommendations to reflect current high school standards. Regent Prince moved to approve as outlined in Tab O. The motion was seconded by Regent Theurer and the motion carried.

Institutional Completion Update: Southern Utah University (TAB P)
Regent Prince noted this presentation was very well done. This is an information item only and no action is needed.

Finance/Facilities Committee

Southern Utah University – Campus Master Plan Approval (TAB Q)
Regent Marquardt noted this includes the new arts facility and provides for more housing. Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outlined in Tab W. The motion was seconded by Regent Barnes and the motion carried.

Utah State University – Design of Interlocking Cross-Laminated Timbers Building (TAB R)
Regent Marquardt noted this is only for project design. The building will be made out of a special material made from reclaimed waste wood. Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outlined in Tab R. The motion was seconded by Regent Anderson and the motion carried.

Utah Valley University – West Campus Boundary Adjustment (TAB S)
Regent Marquardt noted the adjustment is due to an error from a fence being built in the wrong place and this is a minor correction. Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outlined in Tab S. The motion was seconded by Regent Zenger and the motion carried.

Utah Valley University – Main Campus Property Purchase (TAB T)
Regent Marquardt noted UVU wants to purchase three houses and one vacant lot, about 1 ½ acres, adjacent to campus for 1.8 million. There was some concern about the amount of money, but this is the appraised value. This property is integral to the overall plan for housing. Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outlined in Tab T. The motion was seconded by Regent Simmons, opposed by Regent Clyde, the motion carried.

Utah Valley University – Payson Land Purchase (TAB U)
Regent Marquardt noted this is for a satellite campus. This is to acquire 30 acres with close access to I-15. The negotiated price is $30,000 per acre and includes the right to purchase an additional 20 acres at market value. Donated funds will be used to purchase the land.

Utah Valley University – Wasatch Campus Right-of-way Transfer (TAB V)
Regent Marquardt noted this road is going to become a public road and given to the county. The developer has agreed to reimburse the university half of the appraised value. The developer will bear the costs and has agreed to pay appraised value for any additional property necessary to improve the roadway. Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outlined in Tabs U and V. The motion was seconded by Regent Clyde and the motion carried.

Weber State University – Non-State Funded Design and Construction of a Center for Interprofessional Education (TAB W)
Regent Marquardt noted WSU received a gift of 2.1 million to design and construct a 6000 square foot Interprofessional Education Facility. No state funds will be used. The Board of Trustees still needs to approve, but the Building Board has already heard and approved contingent on the Regents’ approval.

Weber State University – Non-State Funded Design and Construction of Community Outreach Center in Ogden (TAB X)
Regent Marquardt noted this is for an 11,800 square foot Community Outreach Center in downtown Ogden at a cost of 4.2 million in donated funds. This is an exciting project that will serve the underrepresented population in Ogden. Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outlined in Tabs W and X. The motion was seconded by Regent Barnes and the motion carried.

USHE – FY18 Budget Development Process (TAB Y)
Commissioner Buhler noted this is laying out the process of putting together the budget, which will be brought to the Regents in September. Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outlined in Tab Y. The motion was seconded by Regent Zenger and the motion carried.

Revision of Policy R590, Issuance of Bonds for College and Universities (TAB Z)
Regent Marquardt noted this is to clean up some of the language, clarifying the need for legislative authorization prior to issuance of bond except in two instances; 1) refunding of bonds, 2) industrial facility and development. Regent Marquardt moved to approve as outlined in Tab Z. The motion was seconded by Regent Davis and the motion carried.

USHE – 2016-17 Performance Funding Initiatives (TAB AA)
Regent Marquardt noted each institution has now submitted a detailed list on how they are going to use the 5 million appropriated in the legislative session. This is information only and no action is needed.

USHE – 2016-17 Market Demand Programs Initiatives Revised (TAB BB)
Regent Marquardt noted this was previously approved by the Board and the specifics on how the money will be spent are listed in their packets. This is information only and no action is needed.

USHE – Report on Research and Development Funds Required by Senate Bill 156 (TAB CC)
Regent Marquardt noted this report will be given to the legislature. This is information only and no action is needed.

University of Utah – Property Disposal (TAB DD)
Regent Marquardt noted UU received two gifts of property which have now been sold. This is information only and no action is needed.

Chair Campbell mentioned there was a lot of good discussion in the Finance Committee on how they might be able to add additional instruction and oversight. Associate Commissioner Henrie will continue to work on this. He expressed his appreciation to SUU for hosting this meeting and noted the great changes on campus.

It was moved by Regent Stoddard and seconded by Regent Davis 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 2:32 p.m.