9:00 AM Executive Committee Meeting
Projected times for the various meetings are estimates only. The Board Chair retains the right to take action at any time. To ensure availability, individuals needing accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) for this meeting or the materials should notify Brynn Fronk at brynn.fronk@ushe.edu, 60 South 400 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84180 (801-646-4784), at least three working days prior to the meeting.
Utah System of Higher Education
Virtual
Friday, June 30, 2023
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
Minutes
Executive Committee Members Present Executive Committee Members Absent
Lisa-Michele Church, Chair
Jesselie Anderson, Vice Chair
Stan Albrecht
Arthur Newell
Shawn Newell
Scott Theurer
Office of the Commissioner
Dave Woolstenhulme, Commissioner
Nate Talley, Deputy Commissioner and CFO
Alison Adams-Perlac, General Counsel
Brynn Fronk, Executive Assistant to the Utah Board of Higher Education
Melissa Van Hien, Executive Assistant to the Commissioner
Other Guests
Cathy Anderson, Chief Financial Officer, University of Utah
Mark Waite, Director of Endowment Investments, University of Utah
Brett Whitelaw, Director of Purchasing, Utah Tech University
Chair Church called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Executive Committee
Annual Report
Chair Church highlighted the Annual Report and asked the Executive Committee to formally adopt it, as required by statute. Vice Chair Anderson made the motion to formally adopt the Annual Report. Board member Shawn Newell seconded the motion, and the Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed. Chair Church stated that the law requires the Board to file an annual report and that it is great to have it in the record as an exclamation point for the Board.
Data Privacy Officer
Alison Adams-Perlac shared that Dr. Jeff Johnson was selected as the new data privacy officer after a nationwide search. She then read through his bio. Board member Arthur Newell moved the Board to approve designating Jeff Johnson as the USHE Higher Education Data Privacy Officer. Board member Theurer seconded the motion, and the Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
my529 Board Appointment
Chair Church recognized the importance of the my529 Board. She wants to ensure that the Board of Higher Education will staff and have a close tie to the sitting my529 Board. She and Board member Arthur Newell expressed their willingness to continue to serve on the my529 Board, if the new Board members wish them to. This was an information item only; no action was taken.
University of Utah Revision to Institutional Endowment Investment Policy
Nate Talley explained the changes to the University of Utah’s Revision to the Institutional Endowment Investment Policy. Board member Theurer moved to approve the University of Utah’s proposed modification to its current endowment investment policy. Vice Chair Anderson seconded the motion, and the Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
Veterans Tuition Gap Program Allowance
Nate Talley explained the Veterans Tuition Gap Program Allowance to the Board members. Chair Church asked if there is a dollar amount, and Nate Talley answered that the amount varies by institution. Board member Shawn Newell moved to establish the “maximum award amount” for the Veterans Tuition Gap Program at eligible expenses in one rolling calendar year beginning with the start of the initial semester for which an eligible student receives a program grant. Board member Arthur Newell seconded the motion, and the Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
Utah State Procurement Policy Board Appointments
Nate Talley highlighted the changes to the Utah State Procurement Policy Board Appointments.
Board member Arthur Newell moved to appoint Brett Whitelaw, purchasing director at Utah Tech University, to the Utah State Procurement Policy Board for the remaining three-year term through June 30, 2026. Board member Theurer seconded the motion, and the Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
Snow College General Counsel Approval
Alison Adams-Perlac shared that Snow College is seeking approval to hire a general counsel. Snow College will pay for this position out of its budget but must receive Board approval. Board member Arthur Newell acknowledged that this could be an area that may benefit from shared services in the future. Vice Chair Anderson moved to authorize Snow College to hire a general counsel. Board member Albrecht seconded the motion, and the Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
Consent Calendar
Chair Church asked for it to be noted in the May 19, 2023, Committee of the Whole Minutes that Elizabeth Cantwell’s nickname is “Betsy,” not “Beth.” Board member Albrecht moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Board member Theurer seconded the motion, and the Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
Board member Arthur Newell moved to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing the professional character confidence of an individual. Board member Shawn Newell seconded the motion, and the Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
Date Approved: August 10, 2023
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