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?

New UVU Blogs

A lot more folks around campus are blogging about UVSC/UVU.

The folks over in Prospective Student Services have a new blog up and running which you can find at:
http://www.gouvu.blogspot.com


Curtis Jensen and the members of the UVU Interfaith Student Association are blogging at:
http://studentpresident-uvu-interfaith.blogspot.com


And if you like movie reviews from an in-the-know local, visit The College Times own Jason Pyles's at:
www.rhapsidiommoviereviewer.blogspot.com


We are sure there are more out there...so if you are at UVSC/UVU (student, faculty, or staff) and have a blog please post a response below and we will link to it (and of course we would love you to link with us). Your blog doesn't even have to be about UVSC!

UVSC goes Wiki

UVSC has joined the Wiki-revolution and built its own Wiki page for anyone to look at or edit. Check it out:

http://wiki.uvsc.edu

OK...so there isn't much there. It looks like it went live just last week. And of course because it is from the college marketing folks you can bet that anything that is in the least bit disparaging will be removed post haste. But we were impressed to see that The Pipeline made it on the Current Events page.

Dreams of a green campus

The Pipeline is not much for sentimentality so when we decided to participate in this year's Blog Action Day it was because we had something very specific in mind.

This year's theme is the environment and it just so happens that The Pipeline has been researching some ideas that would make UVSC a leader in Green Technologies, and at the same time revitalize the school's diminishing Trades program.

Imagine a construction program that featured the latest resources in Green technology, LEED certification, and hands-on experience in environmental projects. Imagine an automotive department that valued MPG over MPH.

For the past five years the administration has been pushing the trades program to look more like a college and less like a trade school. All the while UVSC's traditional trades programs, such as welding, have diminished; losing market share to cheaper alternatives like the Mountainlands Applied Technology Center.

It is is time to cut off programs that refuse to innovate, and replace them with programs that feature green technologies. UVSC's trades graduates would be in high demand in an expanding industry that is in desperate need of qualified LEED craftsmen. Why not prepare students for this opportunity?

And what better place for students to practice using these new materials and techniques than right here on campus. Many colleges across the country have completed retrofitting projects that have brought their facilities up to LEED's gold standard. Why not UVSC? Students from our programs could work side by side with contractors, learning these techniques and gaining valuable hands-on experience.

Just Loungin'

So we are sure that all you hip kids that "surf the net" have discovered The Lounge, UVSC marketing department's laid back "place for fun stuff". Consider it a digital oasis where weary "students, faculty, staff and others" can kick back and chill.

And check it out dude...you can download wicked cool stuff like UVSC wallpapers, or watch YouTube videos made by students (careful though..."Viewer discretion is advised. Some of these films may contain material which viewers may find objectionable.")

Whoa dude...look at this. The Lounge is sporting a killer listing of blogs about UVSC. No way....they got the Equity in Education blog! SWEET! PARTY!

But where is The Pipeline you ask. Well it turns out they don't like blogs about UVSC if they don't know who is writing them. And we all know The Pipeline prides itself on its anonymity. But come on Lounge...how can you deny us a place on your glorious list when we have enriched the lives of literally tens of people? Do the right thing and add The Pipeline. After all....we link to you.

PS: You can always find videos and all the other UVSC blogs right here, and yes we even have those pimps from Equity in Education!