UVSC zeroing in on the future

OREM — It was his last State of the College address, Utah Valley State College President William A. Sederburg said solemnly at the end of his speech Wednesday.

After a moment of nervous laughter from the audience, Sederburg said, with a big grin, that his speech in 2009 would be a State of the University address.

Speaking to about 100 faculty and students in the Ragan Theater of the UVSC Student Center, Sederburg touched on the school's achievements during the past year, described the college's goals as it transitions to university status this year and predicted how the university will look 10 years from now.

Sederburg's speech is scheduled to be rebroadcast on Channel 17 at 8 p.m. today and Friday.

Highlights of 2007 include the passing of SB70 and appropriation of $8 million by the Legislature for UVSC's university status; filling 90 new staff positions; raising $35 million in donations; and offering free wireless Internet on campus.

"What a phenomenal year this last year has been," Sederburg said.

Enrollment at UVSC was 23,840 for fall 2007. The college now offers 57 bachelor's degrees, with dozens of associate degrees, plus diplomas and certificates. A total of 14 degrees were added since 2006, with dental hygiene approved by the state Board of Regents a couple of weeks ago.

UVSC has 46 percent of its courses taught by adjunct professors, which is about the national average, he said.

"Let's zero in on the future," the president said.

For 2008, Sederburg said he believes the Legislature will appropriate $2 million in operational support; give university employee salary improvements of 3 percent to 5 percent; and approve a land acquisition near campus.

The school will be replacing 1,217 signs on campus, changing the wording from "college" to "university." It will start with the exterior signs. The massive project likely won't be finished by July 1, he said.

In 2008, UVSC aims to be an "increasingly powerful player" in economic development in the region. The average college graduate earns $23,000 more than a student who has only a high school diploma when they enter the work force, he said.

So this April, at UVSC's graduation ceremony, the school will be adding about $45 million to the earning potential of the area, Sederburg said.

"If you multiply that over a period of years, you can see the phenomenal impact that UVU will have in being an engine for the economic growth here in the region," he said.

Sederburg said the school's budget is "in good shape." Fall enrollment was up 4 percent. Spring enrollment count is expected to be announced in February. The college's full budget will be detailed in April after the Legislature is done and second-tier tuition is decided, he said.