August 15, 2006
For Immediate Release
USHE Contact:
Anna West, (801) 366-8463
UVSC Contact:
Megan Laurie, (801) 863-7149
Higher Education Officials Announce a
Blueprint to Prepare UVSC for University Status
(Salt Lake City, Utah) - The Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) and leaders at Utah Valley State College (UVSC) have agreed on a collaborative blueprint for the growth of UVSC. The plan outlines steps UVSC must take to prepare for this transition, including building a new library, increasing full-time faculty and developing graduate programs.
“Utah valley is an important center for business and economic development and has experienced enormous population growth,” says Richard E. Kendell, Utah Commissioner of Higher Education. “By following this blueprint over the next few years, and securing needed financial resources, we can respond to the emerging needs of the community.”
“We are delighted with the report,” says William A. Sederburg, UVSC President. “The consultants were clear that there should be no accreditation issues related to university status, although additional resources are needed to make the move appropriately.”
The blueprint, presented in a report to the Commissioner of Higher Education, was prepared by outside consultants chaired by Ken Mortimer from the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems. Other members of the consultation team include L. Jackson Newell, President Emeritus, Deep Springs College, and Paul Reichart, Provost of the University of Alaska at Fairbanks. The consultation team estimates the cost at about $10 million. A copy of the report is posted at http://www.utahsbr.edu/html/press_releases.html.
“We are pleased with the leadership of the Board of Regents and the Commissioner of Higher Education in addressing the issue of university status in an open and constructive manner,” Sederburg said.
The Utah System of Higher Education includes the University of Utah, Utah State University, Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Snow College, Dixie State College of Utah, College of Eastern Utah, Utah Valley State College, Salt Lake Community College, and Utah College of Applied Technology.
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College Marketing Contact:
Megan Laurie
(801) 863-7149
Written by:
Dixie Millet
(801) 863-8504
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