The State Board of Regents is expected Oct. 19 to formally endorse Constitutional Amendment 2, which allows state institutions of higher education to acquire an equity ownership in private companies.

If voters Nov. 2 approve the amendment, schools could gain at least partial ownership of companies in return for intellectual property developed at their institution.

Utah Commissioner of Higher Education Richard Kendell said in a press release Wednesday that approval of the amendment is "critical" to the success of research institutions and could result in economic benefits for the state through commercialization of research.