Weber State highlights dual mission, requests tuition differential and workforce funding

Interim President Durham told the Higher Education Subcommittee Weber State serves more than 33,000 students and emphasizes a dual mission of associate-level and bachelor-level credentials that create upward mobility for regional students.

Durham said more than 91% of Weber State students are Utah residents and highlighted strong pathways from technical colleges, growth in concurrent enrollment, and expansion of first-credential programs (an 87% increase over five years). She described work-based learning as central to the institution: more than 86% of bachelor’s graduates have had experiential learning and about 63% of last year’s graduates had internships.

Durham outlined budget priorities should additional funds be available: mandated costs, systemwide initiatives (data privacy, centralized scheduling), and faculty retention. She called elimination of the developmental math course fee a high priority and presented an associate-degree tuition differential request supported by the Weber State board: a $1,000,000 ask to preserve a $135 differential already created this year, and an illustrative $6.25 million scenario that would create a $1,000 differential to affect enrollment patterns.

Senator McCall signaled strong support and said he would prioritize this request in upcoming prioritization; Durham also proposed a protective-services credential, CTE pathway expansions and capital maintenance and remodel requests for student services and health buildings.

"This is what adds up to return on investment," Durham said, describing fundraising and workforce linkages that she argued would help retain students and meet regional employer needs. Quentin Ulrich, a Weber State student and Mars Lab intern, gave a brief testimony about how internships and campus opportunities supported his return to college and employment prospects.