Higher-ed chief pleased by tour

OREM — After touring the state's nine public colleges and universities, the new commissioner of higher education believes "we're on the right track as far as training Utah's future goes."

"I was just blown away with what Utah has in the infrastructure of higher education," said Commissioner William Sederburg, who recently completed a statewide tour, giving each institution an opportunity to showcase its strengths as well as discuss various issues and concerns.

Sederburg highlighted a handful of observations, including bolstered pride in what the state is working toward. He told the Board of Regents in a meeting at Utah Valley University on Friday that students at each location told him they are "comfortable on their campuses."

Each school, he said, presented a different facet of higher education in Utah, "bringing the importance of it all full circle."

At Salt Lake Community College, Sederburg and his entourage of visitors witnessed firsthand the value of a comprehensive community college, offering many services to a wide variety of students. Southern Utah University displayed a unique mix for a public/private residential school in an area where liberal arts might have been overlooked.

Research coming out of the University of Utah, Sederburg said, is "critical" for the advancement of education as well as the surrounding community and health of the state."

Utah State University was found to be utilizing its assets as the state's "land-grant" university, entrusted with many resources, while Weber State University — which was singled out for its purple pride exhibited throughout the tour — is keeping pace with its responsibility to the Ogden region as a comprehensive source for education.

At Utah Valley University, Sederburg found intense community engagement and growth and at Dixie State College a strong desire and plan for growth in southern Utah. Snow College in Ephraim was highlighted for its partnerships with other institutions, which allows them to offer a full range of services to the students. And the College of Eastern Utah proved to be serving the local community well.

The Rev. France A. Davis, a newly appointed regent, participated in eight of the nine tours and was pleased to learn about the "distinctions of each institution, what made them unique and interesting." He said in some cases, the tours were "eye-opening," allowing him to see the disparities among the quality of facilities and other services.

Going forward, he said, will be easier knowing the different units of Utah's system.

"I'm very impressed with our campuses in Utah," Sederburg said, adding that he found each institution very willing to explore additional partnerships within the community as well as with other schools in the state in order "to serve students better."

Sederburg, who has been in his current position two months, is currently dealing with a $33 million higher-education budget cut, causing him to rethink education strategies statewide.

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