10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
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 Conference via Zoom
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
MINUTES
Executive Committee Members Present Executive Committee Members Absent
Amanda Covington, Chair Steve Neeleman, MD, Vice Chair
Javier Chavez, Jr.
Office of the Commissioner
Geoff Landward, Interim Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Government Relations Director
Nate Talley, Deputy Commissioner and CFO
Alison Adams, General Counsel
Brynn Fronk, Executive Assistant to the Utah Board of Higher Education
David Pulsipher, Senior Assistant Commissioner
Chair Covington called the meeting to order at 10:02 a.m.
Opportunity Scholarship FAFSA Requirement Adjustment
Nate Talley explained to the Executive Committee that by statute, Opportunity Scholarship applicants must fill out the FAFSA. Students have had a challenge completing the FAFSA due to changes made by the US Department of Education. Because of this, the Commissioner is recommending application requirements be modified for this application year cycle. This year, students will be asked to attest to their commitment to complete the FAFSA ahead of the August 15 deadline. Board member Chavez, Jr. inquired about the problems filling out the FAFSA. Dave Pulsipher shared that the federal government has had trouble keeping the application up and running. Getting information from the federal government has also been challenging. Board member Chavez, Jr. moved to accept a student’s written commitment to complete a 2024/25 FAFSA for the 2024 Opportunity Scholarship application cycle, where reasonably practical, by August 15, 2024, as qualifying eligibility documentation in lieu of 2024-25 FAFSA completion. Chair Covington seconded the motion. The Board Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
Chair Covington moved to adjourn. Board member Chavez, Jr. seconded the motion. The Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor, and the motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.
Alison A. Adams, Secretary
Date Approved: March 21, 2024