The Utah Senate Education Confirmation Committee on Friday voted 3-2 not to give a favorable recommendation to Maria Garcia for reappointment to the University of Utah Board of Trustees.

Maria Garcia, CEO of NeighborWorks Salt Lake and a University of Utah graduate, told the committee about her work on affordable housing, community partnerships and student-success initiatives. "I love Utah State University also," she said in testimony that cited nearly four decades leading a nonprofit focused on housing and neighborhood revitalization and her service on university audit, investment and student-success committees.

During questioning senators raised concerns about campus climate and whether students of various political viewpoints feel welcome. Senator Baldry described receiving messages from a University of Utah student who said she felt unsafe expressing conservative views following recent campus events. Senator Baldry asked Garcia how she would make the university more welcoming for students across the political spectrum; Garcia said the university has convened a task force post-DEI to address those issues and that she would share recommendations with senators.

Garcia also discussed her background in community development, the University Neighborhood Partners program and her role connecting university resources with West Side neighborhoods in Salt Lake City.

Senator Escamilla moved to recommend Garcia for reappointment. During a voice vote the chair requested a roll call after members indicated differing positions. The committee then conducted a roll-call vote; the motion failed by a 3-2 margin and the committee did not issue a favorable recommendation to the full Senate.

The committee did not forward Garcia’s nomination with a favorable recommendation; the nomination remains before the legislature for further action consistent with the Senate’s rules.