UVSC's growth forecasts spark concerns

OREM — Utah Valley State College was thrust into controversy when liberal filmmaker Michael Moore came to campus on his "Slacker Uprising Tour."

Since Moore's sold-out performance, the college has not been in the spotlight.

But that could all change soon, if growth projections hold steady. College chiefs estimate the student body will double in size, changing the face of the campus.

"We're going to see a rather large increase in population," UVSC President William Sederburg said at a recent planning meeting. "The number of young people that are out there waiting to come to UVSC is staggering."

For UVSC, such growing pains are good news — and an indication that its push to become a university may soon be realized.

But some people who live near the college say they are the ones feeling the crunch.

"From a neighbor's standpoint, there's a real problem with the quality of living," Orem resident Paul Wakefield said. "Right now, it's tolerable, but it's difficult for me to understand how 10,000 more students could be on that campus with the parking, traffic, etc."

This week, UVSC unveiled three 10-year master plan proposals for campus expansion to accommodate an expected influx of 15,000 additional students over the next decade.

The plans call for several new buildings, including a new athletic center, a performing arts center and a digital-learning center. Student accommodations like a parking complex and a northern extension of the college's main road are also proposed.

Building on the landlocked campus isn't a viable option for the most part, however, meaning some things, like a new power substation, will be forced underground.

But UVSC officials insist they're carefully balancing student needs with community concerns — and will analyze public input before making any final decisions.

"It sounds like the school is being sensitive, and that's wonderful," said Dave Washburn, who is one of the directors for the Southwest Alliance, an organization founded by residents living near UVSC that is gathering public input to present to the college.

"That's what the whole process is about — trying to find the best solution for everyone."

If growth predictions hit the mark, UVSC's student population — hovering around 24,000 — could surge to 48,000 students by 2025.