UVSC possibly on its way to becoming a university
By: Seth Hawkins
Issue date: 2/12/07 Section: Campus News
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Utah State University, University of Utah, Weber State University, Southern Utah University...
Utah Valley University?
With four state-funded universities already sharing Utah's limited funds, a fifth university is potentially in the works as Utah Valley State College attempts to acquire full-fledged university status.
In the works for some time now, the four-year college in Orem, Utah, has been preparing to become a higher education institution that would offer graduate degrees. This status advancement request was submitted to the Utah State Board of Regents in September. The Board of Regents denied the initial request, telling UVSC it needed to improve certain key areas to achieve university status.
These key areas involved enhancing student services, increasing the number of full-time faculty members and establishing graduate programs that would be consistent with a teaching university.
While UVSC is required to improve these aspects to become a university, Utah taxpayers would also play a part in the bid by paying $10 million annually to fund the advancement. This makes UVSC's move an issue that affects not only residents of Utah County but residents across the state, including those at Utah State University.
John DeVilbiss, executive director of USU Public Relations and Marketing, said, "Officially we stand behind the state Board of Regents in following this process that currently involves UVSC making its bid to become a university. There is a process in place. It is through the state Board of Regents. We support what the state Board of Regents is doing. Does that mean we support UVSC? If this is what it comes down to with the regents, with the Legislature, we will certainly be behind them. It does not mean that we are not concerned."
Just how concerned should USU students be with the addition of a new state-funded university?
In the 2007-2008 budget request, the Utah State Board of Regents requested an increase of $47.2 million. For the year, USU requested $4,228,600 for operation and compensation expenses. USU alone requires nearly 10 percent of that budget increase.
Utah Valley University?
With four state-funded universities already sharing Utah's limited funds, a fifth university is potentially in the works as Utah Valley State College attempts to acquire full-fledged university status.
In the works for some time now, the four-year college in Orem, Utah, has been preparing to become a higher education institution that would offer graduate degrees. This status advancement request was submitted to the Utah State Board of Regents in September. The Board of Regents denied the initial request, telling UVSC it needed to improve certain key areas to achieve university status.
These key areas involved enhancing student services, increasing the number of full-time faculty members and establishing graduate programs that would be consistent with a teaching university.
While UVSC is required to improve these aspects to become a university, Utah taxpayers would also play a part in the bid by paying $10 million annually to fund the advancement. This makes UVSC's move an issue that affects not only residents of Utah County but residents across the state, including those at Utah State University.
John DeVilbiss, executive director of USU Public Relations and Marketing, said, "Officially we stand behind the state Board of Regents in following this process that currently involves UVSC making its bid to become a university. There is a process in place. It is through the state Board of Regents. We support what the state Board of Regents is doing. Does that mean we support UVSC? If this is what it comes down to with the regents, with the Legislature, we will certainly be behind them. It does not mean that we are not concerned."
Just how concerned should USU students be with the addition of a new state-funded university?
In the 2007-2008 budget request, the Utah State Board of Regents requested an increase of $47.2 million. For the year, USU requested $4,228,600 for operation and compensation expenses. USU alone requires nearly 10 percent of that budget increase.
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