Higher ed shuffle ahead

The power structure of public higher education in Utah could be due for some major changes this summer, starting with the makeup of the state Board of Regents and the boards of trustees at the state's 10 public colleges and universities.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. will be the architect behind some of those changes. He has the task of appointing five regents (and one student regent) and at least 36 trustees this year.

Huntsman recently said he will weigh merits and geographic distribution in deciding whom he will appoint as regents, who are often among the state's most well-connected and influential people.

Utah law states the governor shall give "due consideration" to geographical representation when picking regents. Currently, 10 of the regents list Salt Lake City as their hometown.

Fifteen of the 18 regents are appointed by the governor, whose choices then require approval of the Utah Senate. No more than eight of the appointed regents can be from one political party.

Huntsman will have University of Utah trustee Hope Eccles to help with trustee appointments. Earlier this year Huntsman named Eccles as his volunteer higher education coordinator, which he considers a new position in the governor's office.

Huntsman said Eccles is a "good bet" for the position because she is someone who is not "wedded" to any institution. Her term as a U. trustee ends next month, although, she could be reappointed. Huntsman's plan is to continue having Eccles consult on higher education issues.

James Macfarlane, U. trustees chairman, said appointments come around only once a year and that Eccles has a statewide interest in higher education. His inclination is that Eccles will be reappointed as a U. trustee. Eccles recently said that she would seriously consider staying on the board if the governor chose her for reappointment.

"She is really supplemental to (higher education commissioner) Rich Kendell and (regents chairman) Nolan Karras," Huntsman said.

Karras said he likes all 18 of the current regents and that he wants Huntsman to retain them.

Only the student regent serves a one-year term, and Huntsman currently has three nominations to replace Utah State University's Trenton Kemp. All other appointed regents serve six-year terms.

"I understand (Huntsman) won the election and he's got the right to put people in who will influence the direction he wants to go," Karras said. Until recently, Karras wasn't clear on Huntsman's plans.