Daggett County and UBTech discuss clinic space, hybrid training and proctoring options

Representatives from UBTech met with the Daggett County Commission on March 11 to discuss workforce-training partnerships, use of space in a planned county clinic and multi‑service building, and options to host remote proctoring and hybrid instruction locally.

The UBTech delegation — introduced as President Waite and Michelle Bostich, vice president of instructional services — told the commission the college is pursuing federal distance‑learning grants and expanding hybrid delivery in programs such as medical assisting, surgical technology and information technology. “We’ve restructured our medical assistant program … students only have to be either in a clinical or in the classroom two days a week,” Michelle Bostich said, describing a model that would reduce travel for rural students and allow clinical placements in Daggett County once the new clinic opens.

County officials described the clinic and community building as a potential site for students and for proctored testing. Commissioners said the building — described in the meeting as roughly 18,000 square feet total, with about 4,500 square feet planned for clinic space and additional conference and basement office areas — could host UBTech classrooms, office space for visiting instructors, and short‑term reservations for students needing remote proctoring. “Even just having that space available, for a student to reserve and come in, use it for whatever time they need,” a commissioner said.

UBTech described specific instructional tools tied to grant work. The college is applying for a federal distance‑learning grant that would fund an anatomy visualization table (described in the meeting as a cadaver visualization table) for Manila High School; UBTech staff said the technology supports hybrid lab instruction and could reduce required on‑campus seat time for some programs. “That provides some capability … to support some medical assisting [training] here in the county without requiring a lot of time to go down,” President Waite said.

Speakers discussed logistics for a testing/proctoring hub for Utah State University and other institutions. County representatives said several students and community members need weekend or off‑hours access to proctored exams and that some campus buildings are locked on weekends. UBTech staff said proctoring models vary by test: some require an in‑room proctor, others permit remote camera‑based supervision or partnership with a national proctoring service.

UBTech also raised possible longer‑term collaborations tied to correctional‑program workforce training. The college said it maintains a relationship with the Department of Corrections in Duchesne County and that construction‑trade and residential construction programs could be a fit for prison‑to‑work partnerships if the county’s local facility were to reenter state programming — a prospect officials described as preliminary and dependent on state decisions.

Commissioners asked UBTech for building drawings and details; county staff agreed to provide paper plans so UBTech can evaluate classroom and clinic layouts. Both sides said they will continue to explore grant opportunities, proctoring logistics and short‑term use of clinic office space for hybrid instruction and student testing.

The discussion produced no formal action or commitment beyond staff follow‑up on plans and grant coordination.