December 8, 2006
For Immediate Release
For an interview:
Amanda Covington, USHE
(801) 321-7110
State Board of Regents Review UVSC's Proposal for University Status
Today, the State Board of Regents reviewed Utah Valley State College’s (UVSC) proposed change in mission status from a Baccalaureate College/Associate College: Type III institution to Masters Colleges and Universities: Type II institution. UVSC presented, for the first time, a formal case statement outlining the need and desirability of moving toward university status. This document is available online at http://www.uvsc.edu/admin/academics/pdfs/Rationale5b.pdf. No formal action was taken regarding the proposal; however, the current mission of the College and its desire to offer graduate degrees was discussed at length.
In September, Commissioner of Higher Education Richard Kendell identified eight items that UVSC needed to address before becoming a university. Recently, Commissioner Kendell hired three consultants to analyze UVSC’s readiness for university status, as well as its strengths and weaknesses. The group did not anticipate any major difficulties with the transition but recommended that UVSC’s budget be augmented by $10 million to accommodate the mission change. The Regents’ budget requests $3 million as a first installment.
“The Regents have set the ground rules, the institution has responded, but now we need to take this to the Legislature for funding,” said Kendell. “The money, if awarded, would be a down payment on building an institution which will continue to grow and to improve.”
Currently, UVSC serves more than 23,000 students; 13,877 are Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs). UVSC offers 51 baccalaureate degrees and a wide variety of associate degrees. As Utah County has grown, the percentage of Utah County high school graduates opting to pursue their education at UVSC has followed suit and risen steadily. Approximately 70 percent of the county’s high school students who choose to earn a college degree attend UVSC. If ultimately granted approval from the Regents and the Legislature, UVSC would provide a select number of graduate degrees, probably in the areas of education, nursing and business.
“We have made great progress in the last few years,” said UVSC President William A. Sederburg. “And I think we’re in great position. We will not request a formal name change from the Regents until we receive support from the Legislature.”
Both the Regents and UVSC have expressed the desire to keep moving forward in a collaborative way, ensuring the College is fully prepared for university status if the Legislature approves the change and sets a timeline for funding. President Sederburg’s message to legislators is, “Support UVSC for your constituents and have a product you are really proud of.”
# # #
College Marketing Contact:
Megan Laurie
(801) 863-7149
Written By:
Rodney Hansen
(801) 863-7205
*