Chair Johnson said the Regents had worked with Senate President Lane Beattie on a Substitute House Bill 32, copies of which were distributed to the Regents and Presidents. He said it was important that every Senator be contacted before that time about the Regents' position on this bill. Chair Johnson said the Regents' master planning process is to look at the state and the expansion of education throughout the state, and not about turf protection. There are many options for delivery of four-year programs in the St George area, all of which should be explored before any action is taken. He urged the Regents to keep in mind the great value of a community college.
Funding is yet another issue.
However, there is a large differential in both population and the number of available adjunct faculty in Washington and Utah Counties. He also asked the Regents to remember that the Dixie College Foundation had pledged to provide one-time funding, and that support would not be ongoing. The original HB32 could pass and be unacceptable to the Governor. The original HB32 could pass and the Governor could sign it into law. Regardless of the outcome of this bill, the Regents will still proceed with the master planning process as originally planned.