Higher Ed Utah

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah’s State Board of Regents focused on budget issues including hearing from presidents regarding their capital development needs at the state’s colleges and universities at its Aug. 27 meeting. The meeting was held on the campus of Southern Utah University, in Cedar City.

In meeting their responsibilities to articulate the most critical budgetary needs for the Utah System of Higher Education while taking into account the financial situation of the state, Regents ranked employee compensation as their first priority, followed by funding 47 percent of enrollment growth and initiatives related to economic development. The recommendation goes to the Governor and Legislature for their consideration.

State-funded capital projects proposed include major high temperature water and electrical systems infrastructure replacement at the University of Utah, business building and fine arts complex additions and renovation at Utah State University, a new professional programs classroom building and central plant at Weber State University Davis, a new business building at Southern Utah University, an addition and renovation of the science building at Snow College, and a new theater and arts complex at USU-College of Eastern Utah.

A Regents subcommittee was organized to review and prioritize the proposed state-funded projects, which will then be reviewed and approved by the entire Board of Regents.

In addition, the Regents recommended the Legislature authorize non-state funded projects and land bank purchases at Utah, USU, Snow, Dixie, UVU, SUU and SLCC.

During its meeting, the Board also made committee assignments for 2010-2011, heard a presentation from USTAR executive director Ted McAleer, administered the oath of office to Regent David Smith, and a heard a state of the university report by SUU President Michael T. Benson.

For additional information on these and other agenda items, visit http://www.higheredutah.org/sbr/agendas/.

Visit higheredutah.org for more news about the Utah System of Higher Education.