MINUTES OF THE
HIGHER EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE
Monday, February 10, 2020 • 8:00 a.m. • 445 State Capitol


Members Present:
Sen. Keith Grover, Senate Chair
Rep. Michael K. McKell, House Chair
Rep. Susan Duckworth, House Vice Chair
Sen. Deidre M. Henderson
Sen. Lyle W. Hillyard
Sen. Karen Mayne
Sen. Ann Millner
Sen. Jerry W. Stevenson
Sen. Evan J. Vickers
Rep. Melissa G. Ballard
Rep. Jon Hawkins
Rep. Kelly B. Miles
Rep. Candice B. Pierucci
Rep. Rex P. Shipp
Rep. Mark A. Strong
Rep. Mark A. Wheatley

Staff Present:
Sean C. Faherty, Finance Officer
Ben Leishman, Finance Manager
An Bradshaw, Committee Secretary

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.

Chair Grover called the meeting to order at 8:02 a.m.
1. Utah Research Universities Presentation
David Woolstenhulme, Interim Commissioner, Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), presented information regarding the two Utah Research Universities.
2a-USHE Research Universities Presentation
David Woolstenhulme gave an overview about Utah State University (USU) as a land-grant institution.
David Woolstenhulme gave an overview about the University of Utah (U of U).
Rich Amon, Associate Commissioner for Finance and Facilities, USHE, continued with the presentation.
Sen. Hillyard asked for additional information regarding accounts receivable at the University Hospital and Rich Amon responded.
2. Utah State University Presentation
Noelle Cockett, President, USU, presented information on the reach and value of USU, assisted by Sami Ahmed, President, USU Student Association.
3a-Utah State University Presentation [USU]
The Greats - Utah State University 2019-2020
Sen. Hillyard complimented Noelle Cockett and USU for the outstanding work of the university.
Rep. Miles commended USU for the care of its students and asked for additional information regarding fees for student mental health care. Noelle Cockett and Sami Ahmed responded.
3. University of Utah Presentation
Ruth Watkins, President, U of U, presented information regarding the institution and introduced Presidential Interns Ben Battisone, Milan Oxspring, and Merry Joseph. Ruth Watkins also introduced Jason Perry, Vice President Government Relations Director, Hinckley Institute of Politics.
4a-University of Utah Legislative Presentation [UU]
Rep. Ballard commended Ruth Watkins and Jason Perry for the outstanding work done by the U and asked for more information regarding partnerships with other USHE institutions. Ruth Watkins responded.
Rep. Pierucci requested information regarding improvements in campus safety and Ruth Watkins responded.
4. Remote Learning Delivery Presentations
Seán Faherty introduced Remote Learning Delivery.
Noelle Cockett presented information regarding Remote Learning Delivery throughout the State with the assistance of Robert Wagner, Vice President of Academic and Instructional Services, USU.
5b-USU Distance Learning [USU]
Sen. Hillyard commented on the value of remote learning education.
Brad Cook, President of Snow College, discussed the Concurrent Enrollment Statute with the assistance of Mike Daniels, Director of Concurrent Enrollment.
Updated Snow College Concurrent Enrollment Presentation
Rep. Ballard thanked Pres. Cook for his work and expressed concern for educational opportunities for inmates in Gunnison Prison.
Brennan Wood, President, Southwest Technical College (STECH), explained the outreach programs of the technical colleges.
Bonnie Campbell, IT Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Coordinator, Bridgerland Technical College, discussed the extent of the offerings of the STEM program and the techniques she uses to take the program to the schools.
Mark Aiken, Vice President of Instruction, Tooele Technical College, discussed the expansion and success of the program.
Will Pierce, Vice President of Instruction, SWTECH, discussed the computer science, automotive, and welding programs offered to high schools by SWTECH.
Pres. Wood discussed what is working and what could be expanded.
Mark Aikin discussed the challenges and successes of providing technical instruction in high schools.
Will Pierce discussed the need to coordinate with school counselors regarding the programs. He also discussed adult education offerings.
Bonnie Campbell discussed the successful STEM model utilized by the schools and the opportunities for student certification.
Pres. Wood introduced the topic of which services can be improved and targeted funding needs.
Will Pierce talked about the value of mobile labs, bringing teachers into the classroom for STEM training during the summer, the need for additional funding for teachers, and expanding the program.
Bonnie Campbell said there was a need for more teacher training and incentives to retain teachers who have been trained in IT education.
Mark Aikin discussed the difficulties in reaching several high school classes at one time. He expressed the need for additional teacher training and retaining qualified teachers.
Pres. Wood concluded the presentation.
Rep. Ballard expressed appreciation for the success of the program in aiding students and suggested a way to increase funding through the private sector.
Sen. Hillyard discussed the current business model which saves students' money while losing money for the State.
5. Request for Appropriation - Utah Rural Leadership Academy
Rep. Christine Watkins presented the request for appropriations regarding the Utah Rural Leadership Academy.
Utah Rural Leadership Academy Overview
Brandy Grace, Chief Executive Officer, Association of Counties, explained the Request for Appropriations for Utah Rural Leadership Academy.
Donna Law, Executive Director of Development and Government Relations, Southern Utah University (SUU), continued with the presentation.
Sen. Hillyard suggested changing the timing of the training for newly elected officials and Brandy Grace and Donna Law responded.
6. Request for Appropriation - Peer to Peer Mental Health Intervention
Rep. Jefferson Moss introduced Rick Atkin, TRULA Foundation, who explained the request for Appropriation for the Utah Collegiate Peer Support Program Initiative.
7a-RFA - Peer to Peer Mental Health Intervention - Request for Appropriation Back-Up materials
Utah Collegiate Peer Support Program Initiative
Letter from Utah Board of Regents supporting Trula Foundation
Anxiety Drives Clinic Demand Seasonality Chart
House Chair McKell assumed the chair.
Chair McKell asked for more information about graduation and retention rates and Rick Atkin responded.
7. Request for Appropriation - Higher Education Capital Development Plan
Sen. Millner presented the Request for Appropriation - Higher Education Capital Development Plan - Request for Appropriation Back-Up materials and gave additional information on available funding for these programs.
8a-Higher Education Capital Development Plan - Request for Appropriation Back-Up materials
8. Approve Minutes - February 10, 2020
MOTION: Rep. Hawkins moved to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2020 meeting. The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-6.
Yeas - 10Nays-0Abs-6
Sen. K. Grover
Rep. J. Hawkins
Sen. L. Hillyard
Rep. M. McKell
Rep. K. Miles
Sen. A. Millner
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. M. Strong
Rep. M. Wheatley
Rep. M. Ballard
Rep. S. Duckworth
Sen. D. Henderson
Sen. K. Mayne
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. E. Vickers
MOTION: Rep. Hawkins moved to adjourn. The motion passed with a vote of 10-0-6.
Yeas - 10Nays-0Abs-6
Sen. K. Grover
Rep. J. Hawkins
Sen. L. Hillyard
Rep. M. McKell
Rep. K. Miles
Sen. A. Millner
Rep. C. Pierucci
Rep. R. Shipp
Rep. M. Strong
Rep. M. Wheatley
Rep. M. Ballard
Rep. S. Duckworth
Sen. D. Henderson
Sen. K. Mayne
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. E. Vickers
Chair McKell adjourned the meeting at 10:40 a.m.