Higher Ed Utah

(McKenzie Romero, SUU news) — SUU President Michael T. Benson has begun his efforts in the 2012 legislative session, and spoke Thursday on behalf of this year’s priorities for SUU.

Benson addressed the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee Thursday. His remarks were directed toward the academic progress SUU has made in recent years, which he said Utah legislators have spoken approvingly of.

“Our unique niche continues to separate us from other institutions,” he said after the meeting. “As I speak with individual legislators, I really try to emphasize that funding should not be based solely on enrollment growth but on more important criteria, such as graduation rates.”

Benson said he attributes SUU’s nine-point rise to a 43-percent graduation rate to increased academic standards on campus and additional resources for teaching and advising.

Also addressing the committee were Stephen Nadauld, president of Dixie State College; F. Ann Millner, president of Weber State University; David Pershing, president-elect for the University of Utah; and Cynthia Bioteau, President of Salt Lake Community College.

Benson is sending emails to update SUU faculty and staff on the happenings in the session, including reports from David Buhler, associate commissioner for public affairs for the Utah Department of Higher Education.

Because of proposed legislation directed at higher education, Benson said it is vital that the SUU community concern itself with the goings on at the capitol.

“This year there are proposed bills that deal with handguns on campus, tenure policies, governance of higher education for the entire state, and others that we need to track in order to either oppose or support,” he said. “I hope these weekly recaps are helpful as all of us monitor what those elected to represent us are doing.” More…