Utah Board of Higher Education

Utah System of Higher Education

Friday, March 28, 2025

 

Committee of the whole

Minutes

 

Board Members Present                                          Board Members Absent

Amanda Covington, Chair                                                                     Aaron Skonnard

Steve Neeleman, Vice Chair

Javier Chavez, Jr.

Jon Cox

Sharon Eubank

Danny Ipson

Tina Marriott

Cydni Tetro

Muskan Walia

 

Office of the Commissioner

Geoff Landward, Commissioner

Alison Adams, General Counsel and Secretary to the Board

Trisha Dugovic, Director of Communication

Brynn Fronk, Executive Assistant to the Utah Board of Higher Education

Russ Galt, Senior Assistant Commissioner for Tech Education Finance

Carrie Mayne, Chief Economist

Katie Mazzie, Assistant Commissioner of Strategic and Government Affairs

Natalie Reidhead, Administrative Assistant

Brian Shuppy, Senior Assistant Commissioner for Budget and Planning

Angie Stallings, Deputy Commissioner and COO

Nate Talley, Deputy Commissioner and CFO

Melissa Van Hien, Executive Assistant to the Commissioner and Office Manager

Trevor Cross, Systems Administrator

 

Institutional Presidents Present

Mindy Benson, Southern Utah University                                   Taylor Randall, University of Utah

Darin Brush, Davis Technical College                                            Jordan Rushton, Dixie Technical College

Al Smith, Utah State University (interim)                                   Jim Mortensen, Utah Valley University (acting)

Greg Peterson, Salt Lake Community College                           Courtney White, Utah Tech University (interim)

Stacee McIff, Snow College                                                                   Brad Mortensen, Weber State University

Chad Campbell, Bridgerland Technical College

 

Other Guests

Cathy Anderson, Chief Financial Officer, University of Utah

Jason Atuaia, Associate Vice President for Budget and Finance, University of Utah

Mimi Barney, Student Body President, Utah Valley University

Colter Bennett, Student Body President, Southern Utah University

Karla Bergeson, Board of Trustees Chair, Weber State University

Kedric Black, Associate Vice President for Finance/GRAMA, Utah Valley University

Joe Boyden, Student Body President, University of Utah

Lori Chillingworth, Board of Trustees Chair, Salt Lake Community College

Dave Cowley, Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services, Utah State University

Bella Estes, Student Body President, Utah Tech University

Jodi Hart Wilson, Board of Trustees Chair, Southern Utah University

Sarah Heywood, Study Body President, Snow College

Lynn Livingwood Dixon, Associate Dean, Finance and Administration,  College of Nursing, University of    Utah

Deven Macdonald, Trustee, Utah Tech University

Kirt Michaelis, Vice President of Administrative Services/CFO, Mountainland Technical College

Paul Morris, Vice President of Administrative Affairs, Utah Tech University

Rick Nielsen, Board of Trustees Chair, Utah Valley University

David Parkin, Trustee, University of Utah

Nahomi Rei, Student Association President, Salt Lake Community College

Matt Richey, Student Association President, Utah State University

Rick Robinson, Board of Trustees Chair, Snow College

Jacey Skinner, Board of Trustees Chair, Utah State University

Emily Sorenson, Student Association President, Weber State University

Tim Tingey, VP for Finance and Administrative Services, Snow College

Peter Trapa, Vice Provost and Senior Dean of the Colleges and Schools of Liberal Arts and Sciences,               University of Utah

Brad Vierig, Associate Dean of the David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah

Scott Wood, Budget Director, Utah Valley University

 

 

Chair Amanda Covington called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.

 

Committee of the Whole

Commissioner’s Office Introduction

 

Nate Talley introduced the tuition and fees proposals to the Board members.  This was an information item only; no action was taken.

 

USHE Tuition and Fee Requests, Public Comment, and Board Action

 

Technical Colleges

 

Nate Talley reviewed the Technical College tuition and general fees request with the Board members.

 

Chair Covington called for public comment and no public comments were made.

 

Board member Ipson moved to approve the proposed tuition and general fee schedules as recommended by the Board of Trustees of Utah’s Technical Colleges and Degree-Granting Institutions with Technical College Missions. Board member Cox seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

 

Southern Utah University

 

Nate Talley introduced Southern Utah University’s tuition and fees increase proposal. President Benson and Student Body President Colter Bennett presented the proposal. The group discussed the reasoning behind the proposed fees and costs. At the request of Chair Covington, President Benson shared their cost-cutting measures, which included significant reallocation and dialing back growth due to the housing shortage. Board members also asked about scholarship dollars, ROI, program review and approval, growth, student housing, differential tuition, and the Speedway program fees.

 

Chair Covington called for public comment and no public comments were made.

 

Board member Marriott moved to approve the proposed tuition and general fee adjustments as recommended by the Southern Utah University Board of Trustees. Board member Ipson seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

 

Snow College

 

Nate Talley introduced Snow College’s tuition and fees increase proposal. President Stacee McIff, Trustee Chair Rick Robinson, Student Body President Sarah Heywood, and Chief Financial Officer Tim Tingey presented the proposal to the Board members. The Board asked about opportunities to raise funds from the community, the reasoning behind the removal of some fees, the utilization of the theater and fitness center, and student events and activities. The Board members discussed the Commissioner’s proposal.

 

Chair Covington called for public comment and no public comments were made.

 

Vice Chair Neeleman moved to approve the tuition and general fee adjustments as recommended by the Snow College Board of Trustees. Board member Cox seconded the motion. Board members Sharon Eubank, Danny Ipson, and Chair Covington voted no. All other Board members in attendance voted yes. The motion passed.

 

Utah Valley University

 

Nate Talley introduced Utah Valley University’s tuition and fees increase proposal and reviewed the Commissioner’s recommendation. Acting President Jim Mortensen, Trustee Chair Rick Nielsen, Budget Director Scott Wood, and Student Body President Mimi Barney presented Utah Valley University’s tuition and fees increase proposal. There was a discussion around athletics fees that could be used as a user fee versus a student fee. Chair Covington recommended that they take a deeper look into this conversation for next year’s tuition and fees.

 

Chair Covington called for public comment and no public comments were made.

 

MOTION 1: Chair Covington moved to approve the proposed tuition and general fee adjustments as recommended by the Utah Valley University Board of Trustees. Board member Eubank seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

 

MOTION 2: Vice Chair Neeleman moved to approve the proposed differential tuition schedule as recommended by the Utah Valley University Board of Trustees. Board member Marriott seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

 

Salt Lake Community College

 

Nate Talley introduced Salt Lake Community College’s tuition and fees increase proposal and reviewed the Commissioner’s recommendation. President Peterson and Student Association President Nahomi Rei then presented the proposal. The Board members asked questions about the childcare fee and discussed the Commissioner’s recommendation regarding the food pantry fee.

 

Chair Covington called for public comment and no public comments were made.

 

MOTION 1: Board member Cox moved to direct the Commissioner’s Office to develop a Board policy that outlines the criteria necessary for imposing an institutional food pantry services general fee, including requirements for public benefit and community engagement. Board member Eubank seconded the motion. The Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

 

MOTION 2: Board member Ipson moved to approve a 5.31% increase in tuition, including any related general fee-to-tuition conversions, and an 18.46% decrease in general fees for Salt Lake Community College, resulting in a combined tuition and fee increase of 2.64%. Board member Ipson further moved to authorize Salt Lake Community College to work with the Commissioner to make any subsequent technical adjustments, including rounding and tuition schedule exclusions, necessary to finalize the increase prior to implementation by the institution. Vice Chair Neeleman seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

Utah State University

 

Nate Talley introduced Utah State University’s tuition and fees increase proposal and reviewed the Commissioner’s recommendation. Interim President Smith, Trustee Chair Jacey Skinner, USUSA President Matt Richey, and Vice President Dave Cowley presented Utah State’s tuition and fees increase proposal. The Board members had questions regarding the SNAC food pantry fee and the music and theater fee.

 

Chair Covington called for public comment and no public comments were made.

 

Board member Eubank moved to approve a 2.68% increase in tuition, including any related general fee-to-tuition conversions, and a 1.63% increase in general fees for Utah State University, resulting in a combined tuition and fee increase of 2.57%. Board member Eubank further moved to authorize Utah State University to work with the Commissioner to make any subsequent technical adjustments, including rounding and tuition schedule exclusions, necessary to finalize the increase prior to implementation by the institution. Board member Marriott seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

 

Weber State University

 

Nate Talley introduced Weber State University’s tuition and fees increase proposal and reviewed the Commissioner’s recommendation. President Mortensen, Trustee Chair Karla Bergeson, and WSUSA President Emily Sorenson presented Weber State’s tuition and fees increase proposal.

Chair Covington called for public comment and no public comments were made.

 

MOTION 1: Board member Chavez Jr. moved to approve the proposed tuition and general fee adjustments as recommended by the Weber State University Board of Trustees. Board member Cox seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

 

MOTION 2: Chair Covington moved to approve the proposed differential tuition schedule as recommended by the Weber State University Board of Trustees. Board member Eubank seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

 

Utah Tech University

 

Nate Talley introduced Utah Tech University’s tuition and fees increase proposal and reviewed the Commissioner’s recommendation. Interim President White, Vice President Paul Morris, Trustee Deven MacDonald, and Student Body President Bella Estes presented Utah Tech’s tuition and fees increase proposal. The Board member asked questions about the student involvement fees and funding for the student union building.

 

Chair Covington called for public comment and no public comments were made.

 

MOTION 1: Board member Ipson moved to approve a 2.45% increase in tuition, including any related general fee-to-tuition conversions, and a 4.76% increase in general fees for Utah Tech University, resulting in a combined tuition and fee increase of 2.77%. Board member Ipson further moved to authorize Utah Tech University to work with the Commissioner to make any subsequent technical adjustments, including rounding and tuition schedule exclusions, necessary to finalize the increase prior to implementation by the institution. Board member Cox seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

 

MOTION 2: Chair Covington moved to approve the proposed differential tuition schedule as recommended by the Utah Tech University Board of Trustees. Board member Chavez Jr. seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

 

University of Utah

 

Nate Talley introduced the University of Utah’s tuition and fees increase proposal and reviewed the Commissioner’s recommendation. President Randall, Associate Vice President Jason Atuaia, Trustee David Parkin, and Student Body President Joe Boyden presented the University of Utah’s tuition and fees increase proposal.

Chair Covington called for public comment and no public comments were made.

 

MOTION 1: Board member Cox moved to approve the proposed tuition and general fee adjustments as recommended by the University of Utah Board of Trustees. Board member Eubank seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

 

MOTION 2: Board member Cox moved to approve the proposed differential tuition schedule as recommended by the University of Utah Board of Trustees. Board member Marriott seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

 

Board member Ipson moved to adjourn. Board member Eubank seconded the motion. The Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 2:29 p.m.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Alison A. Adams, Secretary

Date Approved: May 15, 2025