Utah Board of Higher Education Meeting
: September 13, 2023
Utah Board of Higher Education
Virtual Conference via Zoom
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
3:00 PM
Committee of the Whole
Welcome – Chair Covington
Closed Session
Committee of the Whole
Commissioner’s Office Update – Chair Covington
Projected times for the various meetings are estimates only. The Board Chair retains the right to take action at any time. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, individuals needing special accommodations (including auxiliary communicative aids and services) during this meeting should notify ADA Coordinator, 60 South 400 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84180 (801-646-4784), at least three working days prior to the meeting. TDD # 801-321-7130.
Utah Board of Higher Education
Virtual Conference via Zoom
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Committee of the Whole
Minutes
Board Members Present Board Members Absent
Amanda Covington, Chair
Steve Neeleman, MD, Vice Chair
Javier Chavez, Jr.
Jon Cox
Sharon Eubank
Danny Ipson
Tina Marriott Larson
Aaron Skonnard
Cydni Tetro
Holly Talbot
Office of the Commissioner
Geoff Landward, Deputy Commissioner and Government Relations Director
Nate Talley, Deputy Commissioner and CFO
Alison Adams-Perlac, General Counsel
Trisha Dugovic, Director of Communication
Brynn Fronk, Executive Assistant to the Utah Board of Higher Education
Other Guests
Emily Hobbs, Administrative Chief of Staff, Bridgerland Technical College
Stephanie Hollist, General Counsel, Weber State University
Carson Howell, Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services, Snow College
Wayne Vaught, Provost/Sr. Vice President – Academic Affairs, Utah Valley University
Institutional Presidents Present
Mindy Benson, Southern Utah University Taylor Randall, University of Utah
Clay Christensen, Mountainland Technical College Jordan Rushton, Dixie Technical College
Paul Hacking, Tooele Technical College Jim Taggart, Ogden-Weber Technical College
Stacee McIff, Snow College Richard Williams, Utah Tech University
Brad Mortensen, Weber State University Brennan Wood, Southwest Technical College
Chair Covington called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
Committee of the Whole
Chair Covington welcomed the Board members and guests in attendance.
Board member Tetro moved to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual. Vice Chair Neeleman seconded the motion. The Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
Closed Session
Board member Skonnard moved to end closed session. Board member Cox seconded the motion, and the Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
Committee of the Whole
Commissioner’s Office Update
Chair Covington announced that Commissioner Dave Woolstenhulme has resigned and thanked him for his service to the Utah System of Higher Education.
Vice Chair Neeleman moved to appoint Geoffrey Landward as interim commissioner of higher education for the state of Utah. Board member Chavez Jr. seconded the motion. The Board members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.
On behalf of the Board, Chair Covington expressed full support of Interim Commissioner Landward. Interim Commissioner Landward thanked the group for their trust and shared his willingness to help with the transition in any way he could.
Board member Larson 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 4:00 p.m.
Amanda Covington, Chair
Date Approved: November 3, 2023