Southern Utah University tells appropriations panel it is growing enrollment and seeks targeted capital and safety funding

Southern Utah University told the Utah Legislature’s Higher Education Appropriation Subcommittee on Jan. 26 that the regional institution has seen rapid enrollment growth and is seeking targeted state funding to support safety, workforce programs and campus expansion.

President Mindy Benson said SUU’s enrollment has “more than doubled since 2014,” and emphasized the university’s residential character and student supports. “Our students are the heart of what we do at SUU,” Benson said, noting retention around 72% and substantial use of campus services: “9,800 students took advantage of the Hope Food Pantry,” she told the committee.

Benson highlighted workforce-aligned programs and industry partnerships, including an NSF‑supported mechanical engineering pilot and a dual partnership with Southwest Tech that Benson said has produced transferable credits and saved students an estimated $3.9 million. She also described a locally notable aviation program, saying SUU “produces 10% of the nation’s helicopter pilots” and that those aircraft also assist counties with search-and-rescue work.

On funding, Benson said SUU is seeking a mix of one‑time and ongoing dollars: $1,000,000 for accelerated master’s degrees and workforce alignment, $500,000 for engineering building planning, $7,000,000 from SB 102 for property acquisition and cost escalation, $926,000 ongoing in performance funding for campus safety and institutional risk, and $550,000 (ongoing or one-time) for aviation program support. She also requested operations and maintenance for the George and Dolores Doré Eccles Music Center, noting an $83,000 discrepancy between slides shown by different staff.

Committee members asked about combating negative narratives about higher education and about SUU’s ability to attract rural students. Landon (Li/Lee), SUU’s student body president, described small classes and community as reasons students choose to enroll. Representative Walter and Senator Vickers emphasized SUU’s role as a regional employer and workforce partner.

The committee did not take a formal funding vote on SUU’s requests at the Jan. 26 meeting; the presentation serves as the university’s formal request and record for the appropriation process.

What’s next: SUU’s requests will be considered as part of the subcommittee’s ongoing budget deliberations and may be included in upcoming fiscal proposals or supplemental materials submitted to the legislature.