Regents' Taskforce on CEU

Regents Task Force
Utah System of Higher Education
July 2009

Background
2006-2007: Local discussions about the future of CEU
March 2008: Legislative Mandate to Regents to evaluate the future of CEU (HB 3)
Spring-Fall 2008: Regents established “Carlston Study” to evaluate the merger of CEU with USU
Spring 2009: Former CEU President, Michael Petersen, evaluated future options

Background (continued)
June, 2009: Regents Task Force established to consider alternatives
June, 2009: President Stan Albrecht, USU President, conducted meetings and public hearings
July, 2009: Regents CEU Task Force conduct meetings and public hearing in Price and Blanding

The Goals of the Board of Regents
Preserve and strengthen the comprehensive community college programs in southeastern Utah;
Expand educational opportunities for the residents of southeastern Utah by increasing baccalaureate, graduate and research opportunities;

The Goals of the Board of Regents(continued)
Preserve the identity, history, traditions and achievements of the College of Eastern Utah; and
Improve the long-term financial viability and vitality of higher education in southeastern Utah.

Examples of the Fundamental Challenges Confronting CEU
Declining enrollments
High instructional costs
Heavy dependence on state support
Declining state revenues
Use of state revenues to discount tuition

Declining Enrollments

High Instructional Costs: 2007-2008

Increasing Instructional Costs:2003 to 2008

Heavy Dependence on State Support

Declines in State Revenues
2008 – 2009 9% cut
2009 – 2010 8% cut
17% total cut
Because of greater dependency on state revenues, the recent budget cuts have
been particularly difficult for the
College of Eastern Utah!

Use of State Revenues to
Discount Tuition

The Future of CEU:A Range of Options
Option #1: Phase out CEU
Option #2: Continue the status quo
Option #3: Become a regional campus of the USU multi-campus system (Roosvelt)
Option #4: Become a comprehensive regional college within the USU system

Option #1: Phase Out CEU
Need to serve Southeast Utah
Future growth in state enrollment
Fixed costs

Option #2: Continue the Status Quo

Too many fundamental challenges
Declining student base
Insufficient funding base

Option #3: Become a Regional Campus of the USU Multi-Campus System

Expands student base
Diversifies funding sources
Opportunity for cost-shifting and cost-sharing

Option #4: Become a Comprehensive Regional College Within the USU System

Recognizes the organizational maturity of CEU
Maintains lower tuition rates for lower division and career technical education programs
Increases opportunities for philanthropy, research and program development
Maintains student activities and cultural and social programs at CEU

A Conceptual Plan of Action
Diversify
Revenue Streams
Strengthen CEU

Diversify Revenue Streams
Increase philanthropy
Take advantage of research and program opportunities related to the region
Tuition income from students at other USU campuses

Diversify
Revenue Streams
Strengthen CEU
Shift Costs

Shift Costs
Upper Division Instruction
Lower Division Instruction Graduate Instruction
Online Instruction
Utilize the CEU faculty to expand educational opportunities for residents of southeastern Utah!

Diversify
Revenue Streams
Strengthen CEU
Shift Costs
Increase Enrollment in Existing CEU Courses

Increase Enrollments in ExistingCEU Courses
Increase enrollments from other USU campuses
Increase enrollment from non-traditional students
Increase enrollment as a result of seamless transition to baccalaureate degree programs
Increase enrollment by adding new academic majors to USU portfolio (majors that currently exist at CEU)

Diversify
Revenue Streams
Strengthen CEU
Promote Efficiencies
Shift Costs
Increase Enrollment in Existing CEU Courses

Promote Efficiencies
Right-size institution over time

Personnel
Programs

Modest cost-savings as a result of “economics of scale”

Recommendation by Regents Task Force
CEU Becomes a Comprehensive
Regional College of USU

USU will be charged with responsibility for the governance, personnel, finances and facilities management of the College of Eastern Utah through statutory amendments and Regents’ policy changes
CEU will be led by a Chancellor, who will be the resident chief executive officer of USU/CEU and will report directly to the President of USU

Recommendation by Regents Task Force(continued)

CEU will be overseen by the USU Board of Trustees. The current CEU Board of Trustees will transition to a regional advisory council
The Governor will be encouraged to appoint a southeastern resident to be a member of the USU Board of Trustees and, if necessary, the size of the current USU Board will be increased to facilitate that representation

Recommendation by Regents Task Force(continued)

Lower community college tuition rates for lower-division and career and technical education programs will be maintained
A diverse range of student activities, cultural, social and athletic programs will be supported

Timeline
July 17, 2009 Regents Decision
August to December 2009 Development of MOU Between USU and CEU
January to March 2010 Legislative Action
July 1, 2010 Begin Implementation

Thank you
Thanks.