March 6, 2008
For Immediate Release
For an Interview:
Megan Laurie
(801) 863-7149
Last year’s 2007 Legislative session is one UVSC will not soon forget. The institution was granted university status and given $8 million of the requested $10 million for the transition to take place. College administrators were delighted with the funding, but knew it would take $2 million more to complete all that needed to be in place by July 1, when the institution would become Utah Valley University.
Yesterday, Legislators made good on last year’s promise to provide the additional $2 million, something UVSC administrators couldn’t be happier about.
“As far as our priorities this session, we feel like we did very well,” said Val Peterson, vice president for administration and legislative affairs. “Our overall funding increased 7.6 percent, due largely to the remaining $2 million for the university status initiative. That was Senator Valentine’s number one priority from the onset, and that held in tact throughout session. The Legislature held true to that commitment, and we’re appreciative of their support.”
“We are very pleased with the results of this year’s Legislative session,” UVSC President William A. Sederburg said. “We feel good about where we are. To come in at a seven percent increase when many universities across the country are cutting budgets is remarkable. It is the result of the great work of Senators Valentine and Bramble and Representative Lockhardt and the entire Legislature.”
In addition to the $2 million for university status, UVSC received $1.78 million for the purchase of land the institution hopes to be able to use for expansion one day. The Science Building expansion was not funded this year, but is #12 on the State Building Board priority list, and #4 on the Utah System of Higher Education Capital Facilities priority list.
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