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House approves UVSC—9s move toward university status, endorses $8 million transition funding
Summary
Representatives approved Senate Bill 70 to allow Utah Valley State College to transition to university status and passed an amendment aligning appropriations; the House recorded 72-0 in favor and referred the bill to the Senate. Sponsors emphasized increased access and an $8 million appropriation for the transition.
The Utah House voted to advance Senate Bill 70, enabling Utah Valley State College (UVSC) to transition to university status and providing funding to support that change.
Representative Dave Clark, sponsor of the amendment, said the amendment aligns the appropriation with the amount prioritized by Executive Appropriations and cited $8,000,000 in funding to help UVSC move to university status: "We—9ve appropriated $8,000,000 that was the amendment in order for UVSC to move to its university status." Clark described the transition as allowing UVSC to expand four-year degree opportunities while continuing community-college missions.
Multiple members praised the change as expanding access to higher education, including members who described personal ties to the region and underscored the need for more in-state university options. Representatives noted the transition would still leave UVU among the most efficient per-student institutions in state funding terms.
The bill and its amendment passed the House with the Speaker announcing 72 yes votes and 0 no votes; it will be referred to the Senate for further action.
