Latest news with #HouseBill265
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Hard things lead to adaptation': Utah's colleges on what they'll cut, add following state pressure
Friday's Utah Board of Higher Education meeting offered telling glimpses into the academic future of the state's public colleges and universities. Earlier this year, the Legislature passed House Bill 265 — the so-called 'strategic reinvestment' initiative requiring Utah's eight public colleges and universities to reallocate millions of dollars to programs determined to be of highest value to both students and Utah's economy. On Friday, representatives from the state's eight degree-granting public schools presented their strategic reinvestment plans to the board. There's much on the line. If the schools' respective plans are approved by the Board of Higher Education and, in the coming months, by the Legislature, they can reclaim the 10% of their annual budget that was cut during the recent legislative session. Each of Utah's schools are, of course, unique in size, funding and mission. Their respective reinvestment plans reflect those differences. But there were shared similarities Friday. First, the institutional changes demanded by HB265 certainly exact some pain. Jobs, academic programs and colleges are being cut to reinvest in other areas. But higher education leaders also said the legislation presents opportunities to decide how to best serve the state's students — professionally and personally — in an ever-evolving world. A statement Friday from University of Utah President Taylor Randall speaks to a 'moment of reinvention' in higher education: 'My support for these moves is not only about legislative compliance and fiscal responsibility — it is also a reflection of my commitment to the vision of where the University of Utah needs to go to be an impact university," Randall said. The state-imposed reallocation/reinvestment plans will occur over a three-year period. At least 30% of the reallocated dollars must be deployed by each school in fiscal year 2026. At least 70% in 2027. And 100% in 2028. Here are highlights of each school's Strategic Reinvestment Plan presentations: Celebrating its 175th anniversary this year, the University of Utah has a student body of almost 37,000. The state's flagship institution of higher learning has the largest HB265 reallocation burden: More than $19.5 million. The University of Utah's strategic reinvestment plan remains a work in progress. The school is still finalizing its reallocation targets for fiscal years 2027 and 2028 — 'Phase 2' and 'Phase 3.' The board on Friday approved the school's reinvestment plan, conditional on the institution returning by September with sufficient details. Randall said the time extension is needed because of the volatility facing 'Research 1' universities due to changes implemented by the Trump administration. On a daily basis, 'there are tens of millions of dollars of grants moving back and forth,' he said. 'Those actually affect staffing decisions and faculty decisions. So we are grateful that you've allowed us some time to let some of those things settle down.' The University of Utah's 'Phase 1' reinvestment plan includes reallocation investments in engineering; advancing responsible AI and biotechnology; boosting programs that address the critical nursing shortage; and strengthening General Education by focusing on civic responsibility and building durable skills such as critical thinking and conflict resolution. The University's 'Phase 1' disinvestments will come largely by implementing improved efficiencies in administration and administrative support areas. Meanwhile, scores of courses and programs at the University of Utah are being sunset across a variety of colleges — including graduate programs in educational psychology, bioengineering, modern dance, Middle East Studies, sociology/criminology and neurobiology. Looking forward, Randall said the school's finalized reinvestment plan will look at maximizing shared services opportunities while also examining program and college redesigns and early retirement opportunities for employees. The state's sole land-grant university with a statewide enrollment of almost 29,000, USU is required by HB265 to reallocate approximately $12.6 million. School leaders are concentrating their changes on three broad categories: Technologies and Careers for the Future (i.e., addressing critical needs in engineering, artificial intelligence, computing, and analytics); Health and Wellbeing Workforce; and improving Student Access, Success & Outcomes. Proposed reallocations include new faculty positions in AI and data science, a new school of computing, a new chemical engineering program and the expansion of the school's aviation program. In health care, USU proposes to expand mental health and well-being programs and its nursing program — while creating a new College of Health and Human Sciences and a new Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Investments are also planned in Student Success Support programming and USU's Online Enterprise. USU's proposed plan does include significant personnel costs. Approximately 120 Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) positions are slated for elimination — including positions in school administration, staff and faculty. (Note: FTEs do not represent, number-to-number, full-time employees.) Several USU programs, degrees and certificates are expected to be discontinued — including bachelor's degrees in American Studies, agriculture communication, deaf education; master's degrees in financial economics, fitness promotion; and an associate's degree in theatre offered at the school's Price, Utah, campus. USU's Interim President Alan Smith aptly noted the mix of challenges and opportunities offered by HB265. 'Hard things,' he said, 'lead to adaptation.' The state's largest community college with an enrollment of almost 25,000 students, SLCC is required by HB265 to reallocate approximately $5.2 million. SLCC is focusing on three 'major outcomes' in support of the bill's goals to align funding to evolving student and workforce needs: 1 - Reinvesting in workforce and high-demand transfer programs — including over $2 million reinvested in technical programs, almost $1 million in the Gail Miller Business School and $586,000 in the School of Health Sciences. 2 - Reducing administrative overhead costs to reinvest in instruction programs by, in part, eliminating five administrator positions and through consolidation. 3 – And centering student outcomes in the decision-making process — prompting almost $600,000 in additional reductions that went beyond HB265's budget reduction requirements. SLCC's proposal would result in decreasing the number of instructional offerings from 195 to 147 total certificate and degree programs, while also consolidating the School of Arts, Communication & Media. The changes are expected to impact 50 full-time and part-time employees. Fifteen are vacant positions — 35 are slated for layoffs. Many employees impacted by layoffs will have opportunities to transfer to another position at the school — or pursue a retirement option, according to the school. Five new SLCC faculty positions will be added, through reinvestment. Almost 5,000 students are pursuing higher education opportunities at Snow College. The Ephraim-based community college is required by HB265 to reallocate $1.7 million over the next three years. Plan highlights include expanding the school's prison education program, the elementary education program, the respiratory therapy program — and the creation of several new programs, including Pre-Architecture & Drafting, Strategic Communication and Public Relations, Commercial Driver's License and Rural Entrepreneurship. Additionally, there are plans for 12 'reinvested' positions in the works. Meanwhile, several academic programs are slated for disinvestment — including French, Italian and Media Studies. There will be 11 jobs eliminated — including positions in information technology and student affairs. However, there were no involuntary separations or forced layoffs. One vice president position was eliminated at Snow. Located in St. George, Utah Tech University has enjoyed steady enrollment growth in recent years. Today's UT student body is over 11,000. HB265 requires UT to reallocate $2.5 million over the course of its implementation. UT's plan aims to meet workforce demands, while increasing enrollment — including adding 19 faculty and instructional staff positions in high-demand areas such as business, engineering, psychology, health sciences and digital media programs. The school also plans to add an Associate Dean for Arts. Reductions are being made, in part, by eliminating several staff, faculty and administrative positions — including the school's Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships, one Spanish Education and one Theater Directing faculty member; and one school dean and five administrative support positions. The direction of HB265, said newly installed president Shane Smeed, helps UT 'strengthen and accelerate UT's pursuit of polytechnic mission and value.' Home to almost 14,000 students, SUU is required to reallocate $3.1 million. The school's plan focuses primarily on Utah's workforce needs and identifying emerging student opportunities. Multiple faculty positions, for example, are being added to the school's business, STEM, health care, and innovative tech programs. Several new positions are also being created to enhance student support as they prepare for careers. Meanwhile, 25 positions are being eliminated in several fields — including chemistry, biology, history and math. Twenty-four academic programs are being eliminated. Majors slated for elimination include Philosophy, French, French Education and Art History. The Arts Administration (face-to-face) and Athletic Training master's programs are also being cut. Several associate degree programs — including many which were already slated for eventual elimination — are also being dropped. Also, SUU's College of Engineering & Computational Sciences will be combined with the College of Natural Sciences. 'This has been a good thing to get us looking to the future,' said SUU President Mindy Benson. Weber State University, which has experienced record growth in recent years, enrolls approximately 27,000 students. The Ogden institution is required by HB265 to reallocate approximately $6.7 million. Forty-nine positions are being cut: 11 administrative positions, 10 staff positions and 28 salaried faculty — with most of the faculty cuts coming from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Lindquist College of Arts & Humanities. Several administrative slots are also being reduced — including the school's Assistant Vice President for Regional Partnerships and the executive director for Academic Support Centers & Programs. Meanwhile, dozens of majors, certificates and minors are being eliminated — including majors in Applied Physics, Dance Education, Geography, German and Computer Science Teaching. Reallocation highlights at WSU include more than $800,000 going towards academic advising support; $685,000 for high need health profession areas; more than $2.6 million to support, in part, the development of sub-120 hour degree programs; initiatives to enhance students' academic experiences; and development of new credentials aligning with Talent Ready Utah Occupational Priority List. WSU also plans to establish a new associate dean position within the Dumke College of Health Professions, specifically focused on nursing. The state's largest university with an enrollment of almost 47,000 students, UVU is required by the state to reallocate approximately $8.9 million. During their presentation Friday, UVU leaders say they have been implementing efficiency-focused decisions long before HB265 — reducing, in recent years, a number of academic schools/colleges and discontinuing the English Language Learning Program. And last October, the school implemented a campus-wide hiring freeze to manage budgets. Still, this year's Legislative actions are taking a toll at the Orem institution. Forty-five employee positions are being eliminated. Thirteen of those jobs were already vacant. Meanwhile, several specific academic programs are slated for cuts — including a specialized associate's degree in business; certificates in woodworking/cabinetry and administrative information support; and a nursing education Master's degree. Expenditures are also being reduced in UVU's Academic Affairs departments — including the Innovation Academy and Program Assessment budgets. Other highlighted areas of UVU's reinvestment plan include: Expanding resources for emerging occupations such as AI. Increasing engineering-related initiatives in mechanical engineering, computer science and IT. Expanding health and wellness opportunities in occupational therapy and behavioral health. And further investing in General Education to develop critical thinking, communication and durable skills.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah Valley University shuttering its Center for Intercultural Engagement, cutting jobs
Budget pressures combined with an apparent effort to adhere to state law prohibiting DEI has prompted Utah Valley University (UVU) to shutter its Center for Intercultural Engagement (CIE). Meanwhile, the school is laying off a small number of full-time employees. The school's decision to dissolve the CIE — and cut jobs — comes even as administrators at the state's largest public university are developing their strategic reinvestment plan as directed by House Bill 265 — the recently passed legislation requiring the state's public degree-granting institutions to reallocate millions to programs determined to be of highest values. Tuesday, UVU administrators updated school employees on their ongoing reinvestment plans at a town hall gathering. 'Due to legislative actions, UVU must reallocate $8.9 million from its 2025-26 budget, which has unfortunately resulted in job position reductions in academics and administration,' according to a school spokesperson. The total number of UVU employees losing their jobs 'represents less than 2%' of the school's full-time workforce, according to the university. 'Thanks to the proactive hiring freeze we implemented last fall, and careful personnel management, nearly one-third of the eliminated positions are currently vacant or are being discontinued following retirements or contract expirations,' the spokesperson added. UVU employs approximately 2,300 people, full-time. Workers who lost their jobs to the recent cuts have been provided severance packages. 'For those impacted, we are committed to providing exceptional care,' the spokesperson said. 'Employees will receive compensation, benefits and will be offered career placement support to help them transition into new roles, either within or outside the university.' Laid-off UVU employees will reportedly receive benefits through the end of June. UVU's decision to close the Center for Intercultural Engagement (CIE), the school reported, was due to 'required budget allocations' as well as 'the strict enforcement of state law and intense legislative oversight.' A school spokesperson added that UVU leaders 'are increasing our focus on the new Student Success Center to advance our commitment to helping all students succeed and reach their individual potential.' The Student Success Center, according to the school's website, aims to connect students to the resources they need that will help them be successful in their education: 'Utah Valley University fosters success through programs and services that uplift Wolverines as both students and individuals. We empower Wolverines to flourish academically and achieve exceptional results in the classroom and the broader community.' The Center for Intercultural Engagement's website has been removed. UVU Review, the school's independent student news service, noted that the CIE was designed to support students 'through community, networking and cultural understanding.' According to the Review, an email was sent to students and staff last Friday announcing the CIE's immediate closure. 'Although the team members in CIE are no longer at UVU, we are very grateful for the positive impacts they made upon UVU and most importantly on our students,' the message read. While the CIE offices will officially close, the physical student spaces will reportedly remain open through the end of the spring semester, with other staff members available to provide support. The CIE, according to the Review report, previously encompassed three branches: the Women's Intercultural Engagement Center, the LGBTQ+ Intercultural Engagement Center and the Multicultural Intercultural Engagement Center. These programs were created after existing student support centers — including the Women's Success Center, LGBTQ+ Student Success Center and Multicultural Student Services — were consolidated in 2024 in response to the passage of House Bill 261. The closure reportedly prompted a sit-in protest Friday at the school by members of Spectrum UVU — a student group supporting LGBTQ+ students. Following the 2024 legislative session, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed into law Equal Opportunity Initiatives, HB261. The bill requires that student success resources, like mentoring, scholarships and activities, be made available to all 'high-risk' individuals based on need instead of other characteristics. The bill prohibits practices that discriminate based on race, religion, sex or sexuality, and reaffirms the importance of institutional neutrality and free speech on campuses. The law went into effect on July 1. In compliance with HB261, UVU's Office of Inclusion and Diversity was restructured last year into the Office of Institutional Engagement and Effectiveness 'to ensure that UVU is focused on supporting all students and employees.'
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Reinvestment plan: Utah State University to consolidate several colleges
A pair of 'global structural changes' are part of Utah State University's evolving strategic reinvestment plan mandated by the Legislature. In a recent message sent to USU faculty and staff, the school's interim president, Alan Smith, announced the mergers of several existing colleges at the Logan-based campus. The first will be a merger of the Caine College of the Arts, College of Humanities and Social Sciences and College of Science. 'This will result in a new college at USU that aligns common arts and sciences models nationally,' wrote Smith. Joe Ward, the current dean of the school's College of Humanities and Social Sciences, will lead the new college. The second structural change calls for merging the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources and the College of Agricultural and Applied Sciences — forming a new college, according to Smith, 'that aligns with those found at several thriving land-grant institutions.' The dean of that new college is to be determined. 'In both cases, these mergers will strategically enhance academic programming, foster interdisciplinary scholarship, and significantly improve our ability to meet the evolving needs of our students and the state of Utah,' wrote Smith. In light of the mergers, USU faculty and staff can expect department consolidations, moves and reconfigurations. 'Crucially, these adjustments are part of our reinvestment strategy, aimed at enhancing strengths, creating synergies, and exploring new directions enabled by our updated academic structures,' wrote Smith. 'Our task includes phasing out less productive or declining programs while actively pursuing areas of growth and future potential.' The new colleges at USU, added Smith, will be tasked over the coming academic year to form 'strategic plans, governance structures, novel curricular initiatives' and other infrastructure elements to ensure long-term success and impact. In an earlier message to USU employees, Smith noted that job layoffs are inevitable, adding 'personnel are the primary cost of an institution like ours.' USU is also offering a university-wide voluntary separation incentive program for eligible employees as a method of campus force reduction. 'A pressing task will be to address roles and responsibilities tied to leadership and some support functions,' wrote Smith in his most recent message. 'Any associated personnel reductions – which would be applied July 1 or later — will depend on VSIP uptake and the administrative and operational needs of the new colleges. 'I know personnel impacts are of particular concern to our community and we will work to communicate as quickly and clearly as possible to those affected when decisions are made.' The evolving restructuring happening in Logan reflects similar efforts developing at all of Utah's public degree-granting institutions in order to comply with House Bill 265 — the recently passed legislation requiring schools to reallocate millions to programs determined to be of highest value. In the coming weeks, USU and the state's other public institutions of higher education will present their strategic plans to the Utah System of Higher Education and, later, to state lawmakers. If their recommended reallocations are approved, they can reclaim the 10% of their annual budget that was cut earlier this year as part of the strategic reinvestment process. Leaders at USU are tasked with absorbing a $4.8 million budget cut from the 2024 Legislature even while addressing the $12.5 million being withheld, at least temporarily, through HB265. 'If our proposal is accepted, we will then recover these dollars, but they must be spent in the proposed new ways,' wrote Smith last month. 'These ways will naturally align with our mission and various strategic priorities yet will only be achievable by pivoting away from some of our previous structures, programs, and people. 'This will be incredibly hard for us even if in the interest of the long-term health and success of USU.' Smith concluded his most recent message with praises for USU's academic community: 'You are heroically meeting the needs of our students and the communities we serve during a time of unusual disruption for higher education as well as personal concerns about future changes at USU.'
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Utah State University leader: There's no way ‘to avoid job cuts'
In a recent message to Utah State University employees, the school's interim president said layoffs are inevitable as the school implements House Bill 265 — the recently passed legislation requiring the state's degree-granting institutions to reallocate millions to programs determined to be of highest value. 'There will be no way to avoid job cuts — personnel are the primary cost of an institution like ours,' wrote USU Interim President Alan L. Smith. Smith's sober message to USU employees reflects the challenging budget decisions all eight of Utah's public colleges and universities are managing to comply with the controversial new directive to develop 'strategic reinvestment' plans. In the coming weeks, USU and the state's other public institutions of higher education will present their strategic plans to the Utah System of Higher Education and, later, to state lawmakers. If their recommended reallocations are approved, they can reclaim the 10% of their annual budget that was cut earlier this year as part of the strategic reinvestment process. USU's interim leader noted in his recent message that he 'share(s) the concerns' being felt by many across the Logan campus at a moment of historic budget upheaval. 'I wish there was an easy solution to our challenges, which include the disruption to research funding and persistent cynicism about pursuing higher education despite strong evidence of its personal and societal value,' wrote Smith. 'Regardless of how we find ourselves in this situation, we must tackle the challenges and tasks required of us today while working to change the prevailing narrative about the place of education in our society. We will proceed accordingly.' Smith noted that the university is working to manage a $4.8 million budget cut from the 2024 Legislature even while addressing the $12.5 million being withheld, at least temporarily, through HB265. 'If our proposal is accepted, we will then recover these dollars, but they must be spent in the proposed new ways,' wrote Smith. 'These ways will naturally align with our mission and various strategic priorities yet will only be achievable by pivoting away from some of our previous structures, programs, and people. This will be incredibly hard for us even if in the interest of the long-term health and success of USU.' The school's interim president added that the school is managing an accelerated timeline to develop their reinvestment proposal. 'We need to provide our plan to USHE in early May.' The process, he assured, continues to be 'iterative, context-seeking and evolving' as university leadership receives feedback from USU employees. 'In the coming weeks, we will begin by sharing information on administrative, operational, and structural changes that will be implemented,' wrote Smith. 'This will be followed by information on programs to be discontinued or modified. 'By working in this sequence, we endeavor to find efficiencies and opportunities to recover dollars in a way that is least impactful to our people, while complying with the letter and spirit of HB265.' Still, he noted, job cuts will be unavoidable. Last month, Smith announced that USU will be implementing a university-wide voluntary separation incentive program for eligible employees. Applications for voluntary separations are being accepted through May 2, and will then be reviewed by college leadership. 'There is no guarantee of approval, but we will strive to approve as many as possible to help address last year's legislative cut and, where aligned with our strategic reinvestment planning, this year's budget task,' wrote Smith. 'Additional personnel cuts required by our strategic reinvestment planning will be achieved through a reduction in force.' In his recent message, Smith also addressed how the school plans to proceed with general education and research activities considering state legislation and federal executive orders. 'These domains of work are part of the context surrounding our decision-making, of course, but necessarily will be addressed in more detail at a later time. I have directed the team in central administration and our deans to focus primarily on our reallocation planning in light of the accelerated time frame to submit our plan to USHE.' Attending to all of the budgetary concerns facing USU before proceeding with immediate HB265 plans would be ideal, Smith acknowledged. 'But this is a luxury we do not have.' 'Naturally, in our reinvestment planning we will work to leave ourselves as many degrees of freedom as possible when we later turn to other challenges' Reallocation plans continue to be developed at the other degree-granting public schools across the state. Spokespeople at Utah's largest universities — the University of Utah and Utah Valley University — have told the Deseret News that their respective strategic reinvestment plans are well underway. Details are pending. Meanwhile, Weber State University plans to release its reallocation plans on April 21. It will then be submitted for initial approval of USHE by May 9. Key administrative positions at WSU have already been eliminated, after attrition, to date, including: Vice President of Information Technology. Assistant Vice President of Regional Partnerships. Vice Provost for High Impact Educational Experiences and Faculty Excellence. Training Lead for Student Success. Dean of the Moyes College of Education. WSU has also announced plans to realign academic programs in the Moyes College of Education among closely related colleges, according to the university. New 'academic homes' are being determined for four departments: Child & Family Studies; Teacher Education; Health, Physical Education & Recreation; and Exercise & Nutrition Sciences. Students on those impacted paths will reportedly be able to finish their degrees — and new students will have the same opportunities, only under different organizational structures and leadership. Like Utah State University, WSU announced its own 'voluntary separation incentive program' for eligible employees in academic affairs.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HB265 is now law: Utah colleges begin implementing budget reallocation processes
On Wednesday, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed into law House Bill 265 — the controversial 'strategic reinvestment' legislation requiring the state's eight public colleges and universities to reallocate millions to programs determined to be of highest value. Later this year, the schools will present their respective final strategic plans to the Utah Board of Higher Education and lawmakers. If their recommended reallocations are approved, they can reclaim the 10% of their annual budget that was cut during the recent legislative session. Reallocation plans are well underway at Utah's degree-granting institutions. Several schools responded to a Deseret News request for updates on their developing reinvestment plans. Ultimately, the final allocation plans at each school are sure to be disruptive. Both Utah State University and Weber State University, for instance, have already begun offering voluntary separations to employees. In a letter earlier this month to faculty and staff, Utah State University Interim President Alan Smith acknowledged that developing and implementing the school's reinvestment plan will demand 'difficult decisions and significant changes'. 'I well understand the concern and anxiety this raises and assure you that we are centering the long-term health of our institution — which is first and foremost comprised of talented and committed people — as we proceed with the planning process.' The university, Smith's letter noted, must identify 'components of instruction and administration functions' for reduction of elimination in order to account for the approximate $12.5 million being withheld from the school as part of HB265. 'However, we then have an opportunity to use these dollars to reinvest in our institution, with a focus on strategic instructional priorities that meet state needs,' wrote Smith. 'In short, these dollars are not permanently cut but we are required to reallocate them.' To address the budget impact, Smith announced that USU will implement a university-wide voluntary separation incentive program prior to considering other actions — 'including potential layoffs and other operational reductions'. USU's voluntary separation option will be open to eligible employees until May 2, 2025 — with separations effective July 1. 'We will work closely with our colleagues at the Utah System of Higher Education to draft a successful plan, get approval from the USU Board of Trustees, and secure approval from the UBHE by July 2025,' wrote Smith. 'The USU plan must then be approved by the Legislature's Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee in August and the Executive Appropriations Committee in September.' Smith added that he and his staff remain to employee input on ways USU can address the current budget impact. Weber State University has assembled a committee of 'key stakeholder groups' including faculty representation from each of the university's colleges to navigate implementation of HB265, according to a university information page dedicated to the reinvestment plan. Approximately $6.7 million of the Ogden school's budget will be reallocated. 'We're trying to find efficiencies, things to streamline, things to reduce or eliminate, but all with the goal of ensuring Weber State remains strong and can deliver on the promise we've made to our students to give them the best education,' reported university spokesperson Bryan Magaña in an email. WSU's reinvestment committee will examine criteria and identify potential cost savings in reallocating academic and student success programs to comply with the Legislature. The committee will also offer recommendations on gathering input from stakeholders, utilizing methods such as surveys and town halls. Key administrative positions at WSU have already been eliminated, after attrition, to date, including: Vice President of Information Technology. Assistant Vice President of Regional Partnerships. Vice Provost for High Impact Educational Experiences and Faculty Excellence. Training Lead for Student Success. Dean of the Moyes College of Education. WSU has also announced plans to realign academic programs in the Moyes College of Education among closely related colleges, according to the university. New 'academic homes' are being determined for four departments: Child & Family Studies; Teacher Education; Health, Physical Education & Recreation; and Exercise & Nutrition Sciences. Students on those impacted paths will be able to finish their degrees — and new students will have the same opportunities, only under different organizational structures and leadership, according to Magaña. The renovated McKay Education Building is still slated to be opened later this year. 'To be clear, Weber State is still committed and laser-focused on training future educators,' said Magaña. 'Preparing Utah's K-12 teachers is a big part of our legacy and it's a big part of our future.' Like Utah State University, WSU announced its own 'voluntary separation incentive program' for eligible employees in academic affairs. 'Ultimately, difficult decisions will need to be made that impact people and programs, and our goal is to avoid as many involuntary layoffs as possible,' according to a university site explaining the separation program. 'Offering a voluntary separation package early provides an option for those interested and helps inform our HB 265 planning process,' the site noted. 'We're charged with making tough decisions in the coming weeks, but we're also trying to see this as an opportunity to shape our future for the better as a university,' wrote Magaña. Officials at Salt Lake Community College and Utah Tech University also reported on their developing reinvestment processes. SLCC and Utah Tech are required to reallocate $5.2 million and $2.5 million, respectively. 'Based on the recent legislation regarding HB265, Salt Lake Community College has put in motion a thorough and transparent process to evaluate instructional programs involving input from a variety of stakeholders — including deans, faculty members, and the college's top leadership,' according to a SLCC statement. 'The college is taking a methodical and data-driven approach to determine the most appropriate programs to fund with plans to have final decisions made by the end of May.' In a statement from Utah Tech University, campus leaders at the St. George institution said they have been engaging in 'planning exercises and conversations' to prepare for the funding reallocation outlined in HB 265. 'Now that the legislative session has concluded, we plan to convene a committee that will help ensure all members of our campus community are able to provide perspective as we work through the process outlined in the bill. The committee will assist in gathering feedback, identifying potential savings, communicating with campus and providing support resources to those affected. " Utah Tech expects to submit its strategic reinvestment plan to the Utah Board of Higher Education early this summer.
