Even as Regents pull the reins is UVSC headed to Eagle Mountain?

A few weeks ago a three-member committee made a recommendation to Utah's Board of Regents that would place a "moratorium on geographic expansion" for the system's public colleges and universities. The committee hopes that future growth can be handled through schedule juggling and a greater focus on distance education, at least until a statewide plan for expansion can be adopted. As you can imagine UVSC's Bill Sederburg, president of the state's fastest growing college, was none to pleased to hear that the kibosh is being put on his dreams of campus expansion.

UVSC chief pans plan that would limit growth (Deseret Morning News, April 19 2008)

Now on the heels of the Regents plans to manage growth, comes the news that UVSC and the up-and-coming berg of Eagle Mountain are looking into a possible UVSC satellite campus.

Satellite college campus may land in Eagle Mountain (Salt Lake Tribune, April 24 2008)

No mention of the proposed moratorium in the Trib article, but of course any plans for expansion would have to be approved by them, as well as the legislature. An interesting note on that committee that recommended the moratorium; one of the members is Jack Zenger, former Chair of UVSC's Board of Trustees. Fascinating that a man so familiar with UVSC's expansion needs would recommend such action. As Sederburg has pointed out satellite campuses will be absolutely necessary to accommodate the nearly 20,000 additional students the school projects will enroll in the next few decades. Sederburg believes that unless land is banked now there won't be any place to build down the road.

There is another interesting nugget in the Trib article; Val Peterson is quoted as saying that the main Orem Campus could only handle 28,000 students. Considering the recent uptick in growth (Sederburg predicted an additional 500 students this Fall) 28 K doesn't seem so far away.

But will students go to a satellite campus? If the Wasatch campus is any indication, probably not. The tone in the Trib article seems to indicate that they are marketing these satellites (another is planned for the south end of Utah County, most likely Spanish Fork) to working adults. That makes sense, but the question still remains if you build it will they come?

The 5 things UVSC should do to really become a university

While the big transition from UVSC to UVU is just a few months away, one wonders if the name change will really transform the school. Here are The Pipeline's top five things we think the school could (and should) do to really become a university:

1. Live up to Global Engagement promise: With such a high percentage of returned LDS missionaries, UVU has one of the most bilingual college populations in the country. UVU should capitalize on this advantage by making foreign languages part of the core curriculum. Every student graduating from UVU should be encouraged to be proficient in another language.

But how do you get students to enroll in these time intensive classes? At BYU students can use language credits to satisfy math requirements. Imagine how many students would take 12 credits of a language in order to avoid passing Math 1050.

2. Tell Trades to go green or go home: This is an idea that The Pipeline has suggested before, so for full details click here. But basically we need to exercise some tough love when it comes to our trades program. With the MATC across the street already providing nearly redundant trades offerings, UVU should focus on programs that are worthy of the university name. Other schools have adapted to the burgeoning Green economy and are training their students to lead the way when it comes to responsible and sustainable construction and green automobile technology. Let the trades schools take care of traditional trades programming, UVU should be doing the work of a university and be pushing the limits of green research and development.

3. Do something amazing with the Wasatch Campus: UVU's Wasatch Campus in Heber City has been serving the surrounding community for a few years now. But most people would agree that enrollments have been disappointing. UVU should take advantage of the campus's unique location and turn the Wasatch Campus into a world renowned destination. Minutes from some of the world's best outdoor areas the Wasatch Campus could provide outstanding programming that students from all over the world would pay top dollar for. Hospitality management, recreation management, or even a top notch film school (with Sundance just down the road) would thrive in the location. It would take vision, and a lot of money, but it could very well put UVU on the map. Otherwise that special location will continue to languish.

4. When it comes to academics, focus on what you do best: There has been a lot of speculation as to what kind of graduate programs the newly minted University should offer. As many of you know, a graduate program in education begins this fall with advanced degrees in nursing and business to follow. These three areas will certainly address current market demands and will most likely be successful and valuable programs.

But UVU should also study some of the school's more unique undergraduate programs and look for ways to develop new highly specialized master's programs that focus on practicality and shy way from heavy research. We think the aviation department's unique position as one of the best online flight programs in the country could be a springboard for a unique graduate program that takes advantage of that web positioning. UVU also has one of the largest deaf populations outside of Gallaudet. This unique position could be a selling point when attracting students interested in furthering deaf studies at UVU. UVU also has an extremely high percentage of LDS students for a state school. Having that resource along with good academic freedom policies would provide an excellent environment for Mormon Cultural Studies. Why should Claremont University lead the Mormon academic movement?

5. Respect the past, Restore The Bunnell Pioneer Home We couldn't help sneaking this one in, as it is a pet project of The Pipeline. To learn more about efforts to reclaim and restore one of the campus's hidden treasures click here. No university is complete without a little culture, and we think transforming this 115-year-old farmhouse into a working student cafe will help UVU establish an identity and foster creative work and discussion.


So there it is. Five suggestions that would really help UVU earn the title of university. Please tell us what you think of our ideas? What do you think UVU needs?

SLCC-SLTATC merger gets committee approval

The proposed merger between Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) and Salt Lake Tooele Applied Technology Center (SLATC) has gotten one step closer to reality as the House Education Committee has unanimously approved a bill that would combine the two schools.
No word yet if the super-school will be named SLCCSLATC...but for all you abbreviation junkies out there...well, here's hoping.

House panel backs schools' merger plan (Slat Lake Tribune, February 20 2008)

One of the amendments to the original HB284 approved of by the committee spells out that Mountainlands Applied Technology Center (MATC), along with 7 other Applied Technology schools, cannot conduct feasibility studies about future mergers. In other words...MATC, you are on your own.

Scholarships for all

The legislature recently signed a bill that will set aside scholarship money for every 8th grader in the state. If the students get good grades, take college prep classes, and attend an accredited college in Utah (public or private), then they are eligible for $1000 scholarship.

Good grades in high school? Fund would help with college (Salt Lake Tribune, February 20 2008)

Is anyone surprised that the only Senator who didn't vote for the bill was Sen. Howard Stephenson, R-Draper? It seems there has never been a higher ed bill he didn't hate...and that includes the bill that changed UVSC to UVU.

Bill would offer college scholarships to every high school student in Utah

Richard Kendell may have stepped down from his position as Utah's commissioner of higher education, but that hasn't stopped him from spearheading a campaign to get more high school students into college.

Good grades, the right college prep classes may net $1,350
(Salt Lake Tribune, January 9 2008)

Kendell is helping Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, navigate the bill through the legislature. The annual session begins later this month. The bill calls for each 8th grader to receive a letter from the Board of Regents saying that a $1000 scholarship is already in their name and gaining interest. All students need to do is graduate with a B average and take a set college prep courses while in high school. It is expected that of the 35,000 8th graders currently in the state about 7,000 would qualify.

Sure, $1350 would hardly pay for a single semester at UVSC (especially in 5 years!) but at least it is something.

End of an Era: Rich Kendell steps down from Higher Education post

After more than fours years at the helm Rich Kendell is stepping down from his post as commissioner of Higher Education.

Kendell retires as higher education chief
(Deseret Morning News, January 1 2008)

UCAS expansion provides more elbow room

The Utah County Academy of Sciences has been operating on the UVSC campus since August of 2005, providing area students the opportunity to take classes that both count for high school and college credit. So far the 300 or so students have been relegated to portable classrooms left over from the Vineyard Elementary expansion.

But now a new $1.6 million building will be added to the school and will provide a gym and cafeteria. Enrollment will stay the same. Administrators at the school, which is one of six such institutions in the state, hope the new building will be completed and in use by August of this year.

Early college high school in Utah County to expand
Academy of Sciences on the campus of UVSC breaks ground for a new building to accommodate its 330 students
(Salt Lake Tribune, January 2 2008)

Univeristy of Utah president "unapologetic" about tuition

Sunday's Tribune featured a scathing article on how top administrators at the University of Utah are cashing big checks while professors get incremental raises, and tuition soars.

Costs rise, U.'s elite get richer
Tuition has skyrocketed, profs see meager raises - but administrators' salaries grow leaps and bounds
(Salt Lake Tribune, December 16 2007)

But one of the most interesting statements came from U president Michael Young:
"I'm absolutely unapologetic about the cost of tuition. It should be three times as high for the quality of education here."

In other words...you can count on more tuition raises.

For those who might be interested in how UVSC salaries stack up head here

MATC grabs more trades students

As UVSC transitions to a university the founding (and floundering) trades program continues to lose market share to Mountainlands Applied Technology Center. And now UVSC is ceding a significant portion of its apprenticeship program to the much cheaper MATC.


Apprentice programs rewired
MATC partnering with UVSC to train students
(Deseret Morning News, November 25 2007)

According to the article, UVSC has surveyed local trades employers and found that most could care less about whether their employees have associates degrees or not. Why would students pay more money and take superfluous classes to get a degree that won't matter to their employers?

Students produce Spanish version of campus news

Veronica Lopez is the executive producer of UVSC's student broadcast team, and this year she has added the occaisional Spanish news show. There is a very nice story about it in today's Herald

UVSC launches Spanish language broadcast
(Daily Herald, November 26 2007)

Particularly interesting are the multitude of anti-immigration, and some downright xenophobic, posters in the Herald's forum.

The Salt Lake Tribune picked up an AP version of the story:

UVSC launches spanish language television broadcast
(Salt Lake Tribune, November 26 2007)

Taxes on Texts

Student government leaders from across Utah presented a plan to end the sales tax charged for text books to legislators yesterday.

Students seek a textbook tax break
(Deseret Morning News, November 15 2007)

Students lobby for tax-free textbooks
(Daily Herald, November 15 2007)

State Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, will sponsor the bill that would end sales tax on textbooks during the upcoming session.

All about the Benjamins: looking at college presidents' salaries

Here is a nice little article about how Utah college presidents' salaries compare with their peers from around the country.


College presidents well paid in Utah
But they are way behind their national colleagues
(Deseret Morning News, November 13 2007)

Building a High-speed data link between Utah collleges

Utah State University and the University of Utah are discussing the possibility of building a high-speed data link between the two schools. The link would allow for greater collaboration and data sharing and would be a step closer to connecting all of Utah's public colleges and universities forming a "Utah Grid".

Data link proposed for Utah State, University of Utah
(Daily Herald, November 13 2007)

The Utah Education Network will be asking the state legislature for funding to start the program, but as of yet hasn't released any more details.

Does mandatory health insurance make sense for college students?

Utah State University's student government will ask the Board of Regents to make health insurance mandatory for students enrolled in any of the state's public colleges and universities.

Salt Lake Tribune - USU student group to approach Regents over insurance

For years BYU has required all of its students to either be enrolled under their parent's policy or pay for campus health insurance.

But how could UVSC possibly afford to offer low-cost health insurance to its nearly 24000 students? How about dumping athletics?

UVSC bucks statewide trend with positive enrollment numbers

The state Board of Education has released enrollment numbers for Utah's public colleges and universities, and while overall the numbers are flat UVSC gained the most students and had the second highest percentage of growth over last fall's numbers.

Enrollment remains flat at Utah colleges
Recruitment to become more competitive as numbers stay steady
(Salt Lake Tribune, October 12 2007)

While this news is no big surprise for UVSC, it is nice to see what numbers other schools are posting. Here are the headcounts for all nine schools:

U of U: 27,685 -2.15%
USU: 21,455 +1.10%
Weber: 17,089 -1.16%
SUU: 6,410 +4.94%
Snow: 3,202 -9.65%
Dixie: 5,209 -2.43%
CEU: 1,799 -3.95%
UVSC: 20,959 +3.44%
SLCC: 23,824 +0.01%

Higher Ed
Total: 127,632 -0.09%

If that number seems a little low for UVSC, who usually boasts of having 24,000 students we can only assume the state is not counting high school students taking in concurrent enrollment classes.

Local big wigs discuss the future of UVSC

This past Monday UVSC hosted a pow-wow with leaders from the state and local government , as well as business leaders and educators from throughout Utah County.


Leaders look at role of UVSC
Identity issues involving school, region discussed
(Deseret Morning News, October 9 2007)

One of the most interesting facts brought up during the meeting was this one:
For instance, Hispanic students are the majority in seven of Provo's 11 elementary schools, said RaDene Hatfield, president-elect of the Provo Council PTA.

A few months back there was an article in the Daily Herald said that all of UVSC's recruitment material was also available in Spanish. There were some in the community who complained that students should be able to speak English before going to college.

More minority students going to college
(Daily Herald, August 4 2007)

Clearly if UVSC is going to continue to meet the needs of the community it will need to reach out to Hispanic students and their parents (for who the Spanish recruitment material was intended for).

October's Ethics Forum could provide fireworks

Right now in Utah there is hardly an issue bigger than school vouchers. Sure, polygamy is getting all the national attention, but now that Warren Jeffs is headed for the pokey vouchers will be front and center once again. And UVSC's Ethics Center is going to capitalize on all hubbub with a public forum next month.

So if you are on campus the night of October 3, say around seven-ish, swing on by the Faculty Seminar room (LC243) and check out the action. Guests include State Board of Education Chair Kim Burningham, Chairman of the Board & CEO of Overstock.com Patrick Byrne, Former Utah State PTA Education Commissioner Marilyn Kofford, and Paul T. Mero President of the Sutherland Institute.



If Mero's name seems familiar it might be that you caught his recent essay that he paid to put in local papers. Here it is if you missed it:

Vouchers, Vows, and Vexations: The Historic Dilemma over Utah’s Education Identity. (PDF, www.sutherlandinstitute.org)

That's right, it is part 4 of 6. Paul Mero is like the R. Kelly of conservatives and this is his "Trapped in the Closet". Put this guy in a room with a bunch of radical god-less liberal professors and watch the feathers fly! It is going to be fun.

Hellraising Y. professor receives ethics award from UVSC

David Dominguez is not your typical Brigham Young University professor. Let's face it, the Lord's University doesn't hire too many Berkeley-educated self-described hell-raisers. So it makes perfect sense for UVSC to recognize Dominguez's special place in the community by giving him an award.

UVSC gives ethics award to Y. professor
(Deseret Morning News, September 20 2007)

Dominguez was recognized for his grass-roots community work, particularly within the poorer sections of Utah Valley. I do not let powerful institutions steam-roll the innocent, the poor, the defenseless," he said. "I do not let that happen."

Dominguez hopes that some day all BYU and UVU students will be required to take a course in community justice. Bill Sederburg praised Dominguez's work, and said he wants UVSC's Community of Engaged Learners program to emulate his efforts.

PHOTO BY DON LAVANGE

UCAT president leaves in disgrace

Robert Brems stepped down from his position as president of the Utah College of Applied Technology today, after a state-ordered audit found some, shall we say, suspicious fiscal irregularities.

UPDATE: UCAT president resigns after audit

If you need a refresher on the scandal within UCAT and the Mountainlands Applied Technology Center head here.

A Hitch in her get along: New VP still has dirty laundry at old job

UVSC's new VP of academic affairs Liz Hitch has barely unpacked her boxes, but a lingering legal issue still hangs over her head at her old job in the Badger State.

UVSC official accused of discrimination
(Daily Herald, September 17 2007)

You gotta love the Daily Herald making it seem like this is relevant by slapping on a headline like that. The incident in question actually happened back in 2006 when Hitch was the provost at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

When Hitch was making her first visit to UVSC she was asked in a public forum about the incident and she seemed quite upfront and honest about what happened, saying that most of the blame was on the school's poor hiring procedures. And even though she was censured by the school's faculty senate she offered to give the telephone number of the senate president to those interested in getting the full story. Most profs we talked to after the incident seemed satisfied.

But Wisconsin's Department of Workforce Development thinks the plaintiff in the case has some probable cause for a discrimination lawsuit.