"I don't think my goals (for Dixie State) are dependent on the U. of U. affiliation idea, really," he said, in response to a question from the audience. "Our ultimate outcome doesn't depend on them. We'll get there with or without them, whether we waltz our way there or fox trot, I don't know. I do know we're not going to lay down and say die if the U. of U. doesn't work out."

Nadauld, a former president of Weber State University, was appointed to his new post in late March, the same day that the state Board of Regents announced Dixie president Lee Caldwell had resigned.

While no official reason was given for Caldwell's sudden removal from office, speculation from others, both on campus and beyond, mentioned an uneasy relationship between the regents and Caldwell.

Under Caldwell's tenure, the college began to pursue an affiliation proposal with the U. that raised concerns of autonomy and identity for many alumni and others around the state. The proposal also attracted many supporters, including the majority of Dixie's board of trustees and a host of people in both the public and private sector.

Former Dixie College president Doug Alder suggested in an interview that Caldwell's "aggressive" style in promoting the affiliation with the U. caused some discomfort with the regents.

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E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com