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House approves HB 32 allowing Dixie College to offer limited baccalaureate programs; proposed amendment to defer expansion fails
Summary
The Utah House on Feb. 1 passed HB 32 to change Dixie College’s name to Dixie State College and authorize up to six baccalaureate programs (three initially), after rejecting an amendment that would have left additional program decisions to the State Board of Regents.
The Utah House of Representatives on Feb. 1 approved HB 32, allowing Dixie College to become Dixie State College and to offer up to six baccalaureate programs, with three programs to begin first and three more to follow if local needs justify them. Representative John Hickman, sponsor of the bill, said the transition would have no fiscal impact on taxpayers because the community has raised funds to cover the costs and the fiscal note is neutral.
The bill’s sponsor, Representative John Hickman, told the chamber that the college’s community fundraising campaign set a $1 million target and had raised “over $500,000” toward covering transition costs. Hickman said the bill follows a model used at Utah Valley State College and would allow Dixie to offer six total baccalaureate programs while limiting state cost exposure.
Representative Cheryl Allen moved Amendment No. 3 to change the bill’s requirement that three additional baccalaureate programs be available by fall 2002 and instead direct the State Board of Regents to determine whether additional programs are required to meet student needs. Allen argued the Board of Regents is statutorily charged to maintain a statewide master plan and should evaluate whether additional programs are necessary before a legislative mandate. In floor debate she cited Title 63B of the Utah Code as the statute that assigns planning responsibility to the Board of Regents.
Supporters of the amendment said it would preserve planning flexibility and protect accreditation and statewide resource allocation. Opponents argued the community of Washington County had worked on this effort for years and should not have to wait on the Board of Regents; Representative Throckmorton said the local effort had been underway for 15 years and urged the House to keep the statutory language that guarantees the additional programs under the bill as written.
The House voted on Amendment No. 3 first; the motion to adopt the amendment failed on a recorded division, receiving 31 yes votes and 41 no votes. After extended debate about the proper balance between legislative authority and the Board of Regents’ planning role, Representative Hickman gave final remarks emphasizing the choice the legislature faces about who sets higher-education policy: “Process. Power. Who’s in charge?”
On final passage HB 32 received 44 yes votes and 29 no votes and will be transmitted to the Senate for further action.
What’s next: The bill will go to the Utah Senate for consideration. If enacted, the law would change Dixie College’s official name to Dixie State College and authorize the specified baccalaureate offerings; implementation details (program approvals, accreditation steps and specific program start dates) would follow the Board of Regents’ and accrediting agencies’ established processes.
