Quarterly Interim Board Meeting
Virtual Conference via Zoom
8:00 a.m. Committee of the Whole
10:25 a.m. Closed Session
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 Board of Higher Education
Virtual Meeting
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Committee of the whole
Minutes
Board Members Present Board Members Absent
Amanda Covington, Chair Steve Neeleman, Vice Chair
Javier Chavez Jr. Aaron Skonnard
Jon Cox
Sharon Eubank
Danny Ipson
Tina Marriott
Cydni Tetro
Muskan Walia
Office of the Commissioner
Geoffrey Landward, Commissioner
Alison Adams, General Counsel and Board Secretary
Taylor Adams, Associate Commissioner of Student Affairs
Trevor Cross, IT Support
Trisha Dugovic, Director of Communication
Brynn Fronk, Executive Assistant to the Utah Board of Higher Education
Julie Hartley, Associate Commissioner of Academic Education
Jerry Henley, Senior Assistant Commissioner of The Point
Vic Hockett, Associate Commissioner of Talent Ready Utah
Carrie Mayne, Chief Economist
Katie Mazzie, Assistant Commissioner of Strategic and Government Affairs
Hilary Renshaw, Associate General Counsel
Angela Smith, Business Development Manager
Angie Stallings, Deputy Commissioner and COO
Nate Talley, Deputy Commissioner and CFO
Melissa Van Hien, Executive Assistant to the Commissioner and Office Manager
Kim Ziebarth, Associate Commissioner of Technical Education
Institutional Presidents Present
Mindy Benson, Southern Utah University Greg Peterson, Salt Lake Community College
Darin Brush, Davis Technical College Taylor Randall, University of Utah
Elizabeth Cantwell, Utah State University Jordan Rushton, Dixie Technical College
Chad Campbell, Bridgerland Technical College Jim Taggart, Ogden Weber Technical College
Clay Christensen, Mountainland Technical College Astrid Tuminez, Utah Valley University
Paul Hacking, Tooele Technical College Aaron Weight, Uintah Basin Technical College
Stacee McIff, Snow College Courtney White, Utah Tech University (interim)
Brad Mortensen, Weber State University Brennan Wood, Southwest Technical College
Other Guests
Teresa Kehl, Special Assistant to the President and First Lady, University of Utah
Mitzi Montoya, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of Utah
Board member Chavez Jr. called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m.
Committee of the Whole
Strategic Plan Update
Katie Mazzie shared updates and proposed edits to the strategic plan. In response to the presidents’ request, there will be a standing agenda item for the Council of Presidents meetings to discuss strategic plan implementation progress. The Commissioner’s office will work on incorporating key indicators into Board materials and resources. Chair Covington moved to approve the proposed updates to the strategic plan. Board member Marriott seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
Utah Tech Presidential Search Update
Board member Chavez Jr. provided an update on the Utah Tech Presidential Search. This was an information item only; no action was taken.
Davis Technical College Request for Approval of Freeport West Extension Campus
Kim Ziebarth and President Darin Brush presented the agenda item. The Board members asked questions regarding job opportunities, large vehicle training, and salary metrics, to which President Brush responded. Board member Ipson moved to approve Davis Technical College’s request to establish the Freeport West Extension as an instructional service center. Board member Eubank seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
Legislative Preview
Commissioner Landward provided a preview of the 2025 Legislative Session. The Board members, presidents, and Commissioner Landward discussed the more prominent themes and items anticipated during the session. This was an information item only; no action was taken.
Shared Services Update
Nate Talley, Angela Smith, and Hilary Renshaw provided updates on the following shared services: information technology services, human resources, payroll, benefits administration, commercialization, and Title IX services. This was an information item only; no action was taken.
Commissioner Review of Higher Education Space Utilization – SmithGroup Analysis 2024
Nate Talley presented the key findings from the SmithGroup analysis and the Commissioner’s office’s response. There was a discussion among the Board members, Commissioner Landward, and the presidents regarding the analysis and response. Commissioner Landward will assemble a task force to create a proactive space utilization plan and will report back to the Board. This was an information item only; no action was taken.
Tuition and Fees Preview
Nate Talley provided a preview of tuition and fees that reinforced the guidance given in the November 21, 2024, meeting. This was an information item only; no action was taken.
my529 Update
Commissioner Landward informed the Board that my529 Executive Director Richard Ellis announced his retirement and will leave in April. The my529 Board is currently engaged in a search for his replacement. This was an information item only; no action was taken.
Commissioner Landward shared that Associate Commissioner Julie Hartley has taken a new position at The State University of New York. She will be the Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. They are working on posting her position and finding her replacement. This was an information item only; no action was taken.
Consent Calendar
Board member Walia asked President Tuminez about the opportunities for students to use the Sundance Bear Wallow cabin, to which President Tuminez shared they are in the process of creating all the details, but students will be using it a lot. In relation to R208, Resource and Review Teams, Board member Cox highlighted the importance of having adequate and appropriate contact with the institutions. Board member Cox moved to approve the consent calendar. Board member Marriott seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
Board member Ipson moved to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual; impending litigation; or the sale of real property. Board member Cox seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
Closed Session
Board member Cox moved to end closed session. Board member Eubank seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
Board member Cox moved to adjourn. Board member Eubank seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 11:23 a.m.
Date Approved: March 27, 2025
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