Public opinion of a "possible affiliation" proposal between Dixie State College and the University of Utah will be considered while details of the plan are ironed out.

"This is a provocative idea, but there is so much more that needs to be done," Higher Education Commissioner Rich Kendell said Friday to the state Board of Regents. "This can't really be moved forward until there is a formal, written plan."

Before a deal is on the table, he said, all entities involved, including the University of Utah community, as well as that of St. George and the regents, will weigh in on the proposal.

"It's as big a proposal as you've seen in years — as far as its implications," Kendell said.

Dixie State College plans to hold a town meeting Wednesday at the Gardner Center Ballroom at 7 p.m. to gather community input regarding the college's plan to pursue an enhanced affiliation with the U.

Officials at the U. say a similar meeting in Salt Lake City may be in the works.

An e-mail went out Thursday to all U. faculty explaining the U.'s part in the possible merger. The U. already offers three graduate programs on the Dixie campus, and the college had approached the university to "help address the educational needs of students in Washington and Kane counties," David Pershing, senior vice president for the U's academic affairs, said in the mass message.

The proposal, he said, "is very much a work in progress."

Any affiliation, Pershing stated, "would have to respect the academic and financial integrity of both institutions. Institutional faculties and their associated governance processes would remain intact and distinct. Likewise, institutional budgets and tuition structures would continue to be separate."

Instead of a "branch" or "satellite" campus, the U. has been exploring such ideas as operating Dixie as a "mini-system" of its Salt Lake location, keeping programs and offerings intact and mission-specific for students and the surrounding communities.

"The future of Dixie State College, much like its beginnings, will be built on the strength and the heart of this community," said Dixie President Lee Caldwell.

He said it is important that the role of Dixie as a community college role remain.

"This initiative is to position Dixie State College as the provider of enhanced educational possibilities in our region," he said. "It is truly a local initiative by local leaders in the community — business, education and political — who have come together to play a proactive role to see that the educational needs of our service area will be met not only today but in the future as the region continues to grow and prosper."

Kendell said "people have a real interest in this" and should be involved in the process of making it happen.

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E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com