BOARD OF REGENTS

TELECONFERENCE, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

Minutes

Regents Absent      

• Alan E. Hall
• Thomas E. Wright
• Sheva Mozafari

Regents Present                                                                                                             

• Harris Simmons, Chair
• Nina R. Barnes, Vice Chair
• Jesselie B. Anderson
• Lisa-Michele Church
• Wilford W. Clyde
• Sanchaita Datta
• Marlin K. Jensen
• Ron Jibson
• Patricia Jones joined after motions
• Steven Lund
• Crystal Maggelet
• Cristina Ortega
• Robert W. Prince
• Mark Stoddard

Dave R. Woolstenhulme, Interim Commissioner of Higher Education

Geoffrey Landward, Assistant Commissioner and Board Secretary

Chair Simmons called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m.

Committee of the Whole

Salt Lake Community College – Non-Traditional Arrangement (TAB A)

Regent Clyde noted this item was originally discussed in the March Finance & Facilities Committee meeting but they did not have enough time to discuss in detail.  The Committee met again and had several presentations and the opportunity to discuss in length. Regent Clyde provided background information to the Board and noted after much discussion as a committee, it was decided to move to the full Board for approval. Regent Church noted there is a Boyer on the Board of Trustees for Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) and was concerned about a potential conflict of interest. She stated she had a conversation with President Huftalin on how this potential conflict of interest was handled. President Huftalin noted they were concerned about this as well so they did two things: 1) the RFP was led by Jeff West and was an internal process that did not include Trustees; 2) they had an external financial manager that has worked with SLCC bonds, an outside consultant and Shaleen Gee that used a rubric to judge all proposals and narrow it to three.  They then invited those finalists to make presentations which were also scored by this committee. Neither President Huftalin nor any Trustee was on the committee.  Although the decision to move forward with an RFP was approved by the Board of Trustees, the selection did not include the Board.  During the entire process, Nate Boyer made note he had recused himself from any vote or discussion involving the Boyer Company. Regent Church stated she is appreciative of the level of transparency and supports this project. Regent Church made a motion to authorize Salt Lake Community College to partner with a private developer to enter into a land lease and the development of the Meadowbrook Campus contingent on continued communication and review by the Attorney General’s office and as outlined in TAB A; the motion was seconded by Regent Lund and the motion passed.

Utah State University – Differential Tuition Funding Changes (TAB B)

Regent Clyde noted this request is to reallocate Differential Tuition approved in 2015.  Regent Stoddard made a motion to authorize Utah State University to reallocate exiting differential tuition revenue for the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services to support digital engagement and clinical interdisciplinary support activities and as outlined in TAB B; the motion was seconded by Regent Jibson and the motion carried.

Leavitt Group – Covid-19 Task Force Update

Commissioner Woolstenhulme stated the institutions have taken this very seriously and have a plan in place.  There will be weekly calls with presidents and in addition, a Covid-19 task force has been formed.  The Leavitt Group provided information surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic and Governor Herbert’s plan.  There was additional discussion. This was a discussion item only; no action was taken.

On a motion by Regent Barnes and seconded by Regent Jones, the meeting was closed

The meeting adjourned at 10:59 a.m.