"This particular population maybe needs a different approach to get them into college," Doty said. The new efforts proposed by the commissioner's office are already in motion, as officials have been making presentations and talking with minority community leaders to get the ball rolling.

"We're trying to spread the message and let people know that the options are there for them," said Amanda Covington, communications director for the Utah System of Higher Education. She said the feedback from presentations they've made has been positive and helpful in determining how best to carry the message to people.

"These discussions have to take place to make this happen," she said. "It doesn't take much to know that we're facing a problem here."

The task force, chaired by Doty, found that low graduation among such populations is "of extreme importance to the state," according to their report.

Campuses in the state are encouraged and preparing to provide additional academic support for the underrepresented populations of students. Extra focus is being placed on preparation and planning, starting in preschool and continuing through grade 12 curricula. Another facet of the plan is to somehow increase or make available to minority and disadvantaged students additional financial aid options to help cover the cost of education.

Thousands of federal financial aid dollars go unused because people are unaware how to apply for help, Doty said, adding that Utah has one of the lowest numbers of students who receive grants, even though a large percentage of them are eligible.

College mentoring and outreach programs are also being used to enhance recruitment of the minorities and disadvantaged college-age students. Leaders plan to implement a systemwide communication strategy that will explain college options that are available to students from all backgrounds.

"Enrollment levels in the state are flat, and they're projected to be for some time, so we've got the capacity," Doty said. The task force stands ready to "take some aggressive steps" toward closing the gap and giving more people an opportunity to earn a degree from Utah's colleges and universities.

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E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com