From Deseret News archives:

Where's UVS 'college'?

Published: Thursday, Sept. 22, 2005 11:40 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
Higher education administrators call it "mission creep," a term that describes the ambition of some colleges or universities to move up the institutional ladder.

This time, it's Utah Valley State College. Recently, UVSC has unceremoniously dropped the word "college" from campus signs, gift shop items and athletic-program publications. The athletic department says it dropped the "C" word because it has difficulty scheduling games. Some universities don't want to play down to the level of colleges. UVSC entered NCAA Division I play in 2003.

While that's somewhat understandable, it's no secret the UVSC has designs — at some point — on becoming a university. Seemingly, subtle changes in the college's identity might facilitate its eventual request to seek university status.

More is at stake than the school's ease in scheduling opponents on athletic fields. Utah County is a rapidly growing area that has no public university to serve its population. UVSC's enrollment for fall semester is 24,488 students. There's obviously demand for a state institution of higher education in Utah County. UVSC has a fair number of doctorally prepared professors.

Story continues below
All of that has to be weighed against so-called "mission creep." Does Utah need another state university? What would be the impacts on existing universities? If UVSC becomes a university, what institution would replace its role and mission as a state college? After all, not all Utah students who seek higher education are prepared for university-level work.

If UVSC becomes a university, it must be a university in every sense of the word. Two accreditation hurdles would be UVSC's library, which would have to be upgraded to accommodate graduate-level research, and its faculty. Presently UVSC relies on a large number of adjunct faculty.

How would the state's higher education system pay for this transformation, as well as for providing "college" studies elsewhere?

Lastly, does the current demand at UVSC reflect a need for a university in Utah County or has UVSC become a default option for students not admitted to Brigham Young University?

Utah's Commissioner of Higher Education has offered his assurances that it is not a "foregone conclusion" that UVSC will become a university. Starting in November, a team of seasoned higher education experts will embark on a yearlong study of the issue. Their findings should provide a greater understanding of the benefits and pitfalls of Utah Valley's university quest. For now, it should proudly carry its "college" designation.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

Will state consider gay rights law?

re Bob | 8:03 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009 "As a property owner I should have the...

Celtics crush Jazz

the vocal, ignorant in this case, minority who say Sloan is part of the...

I like RSL and what it brings to Utah, I love the World Cup and is one of...

TCU won't raise BCS fuss

you are right BYU was not in the same class this year as TCU, but you were...

Tavernari has matured

He has been so great and fun to watch in the NCAA Tournament. I really think...

I hope both teams play hard. I know SJ has hit the weights in the offseason...

Tavernari has matured

Ya, it's tough when an athletic team like Utah wins the conference last year,...

Celtics crush Jazz

Boozer's mouth and previous statements are an issue mostly with the fans and...

Tavernari has matured

We all know that there are no U fans, just BYU haters. Wouldn't is be nice...

A successful conclusion to a war means the enemy is no longer capable of...

Advertisements
Advertisement