Utah System of Higher Education

Virtual

Friday, June 30, 2023

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

Minutes

Executive Committee Members Present                    Executive Committee Members Absent

Lisa-Michele Church, Chair

Jesselie Anderson, Vice Chair

Stan Albrecht

Arthur Newell

Shawn Newell

Scott Theurer

Office of the Commissioner

Dave Woolstenhulme, Commissioner

Nate Talley, Deputy Commissioner and CFO

Alison Adams-Perlac, General Counsel

Brynn Fronk, Executive Assistant to the Utah Board of Higher Education

Melissa Van Hien, Executive Assistant to the Commissioner

Other Guests

Cathy Anderson, Chief Financial Officer, University of Utah

Mark Waite, Director of Endowment Investments, University of Utah

Brett Whitelaw, Director of Purchasing, Utah Tech University

Chair Church called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Executive Committee

Annual Report

Chair Church highlighted the Annual Report and asked the Executive Committee to formally adopt it, as required by statute. Vice Chair Anderson made the motion to formally adopt the Annual Report. Board member Shawn Newell seconded the motion, and the Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed. Chair Church stated that the law requires the Board to file an annual report and that it is great to have it in the record as an exclamation point for the Board.

Data Privacy Officer

Alison Adams-Perlac shared that Dr. Jeff Johnson was selected as the new data privacy officer after a nationwide search. She then read through his bio. Board member Arthur Newell moved the Board to approve designating Jeff Johnson as the USHE Higher Education Data Privacy Officer. Board member Theurer seconded the motion, and the Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

my529 Board Appointment

Chair Church recognized the importance of the my529 Board. She wants to ensure that the Board of Higher Education will staff and have a close tie to the sitting my529 Board. She and Board member Arthur Newell expressed their willingness to continue to serve on the my529 Board, if the new Board members wish them to. This was an information item only; no action was taken.

University of Utah Revision to Institutional Endowment Investment Policy

Nate Talley explained the changes to the University of Utah’s Revision to the Institutional Endowment Investment Policy. Board member Theurer moved to approve the University of Utah’s proposed modification to its current endowment investment policy. Vice Chair Anderson seconded the motion, and the Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

Veterans Tuition Gap Program Allowance

Nate Talley explained the Veterans Tuition Gap Program Allowance to the Board members. Chair Church asked if there is a dollar amount, and Nate Talley answered that the amount varies by institution. Board member Shawn Newell moved to establish the “maximum award amount” for the Veterans Tuition Gap Program at eligible expenses in one rolling calendar year beginning with the start of the initial semester for which an eligible student receives a program grant. Board member Arthur Newell seconded the motion, and the Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

Utah State Procurement Policy Board Appointments

Nate Talley highlighted the changes to the Utah State Procurement Policy Board Appointments.

Board member Arthur Newell moved to appoint Brett Whitelaw, purchasing director at Utah Tech University, to the Utah State Procurement Policy Board for the remaining three-year term through June 30, 2026. Board member Theurer seconded the motion, and the Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

Snow College General Counsel Approval

Alison Adams-Perlac shared that Snow College is seeking approval to hire a general counsel. Snow College will pay for this position out of its budget but must receive Board approval. Board member Arthur Newell acknowledged that this could be an area that may benefit from shared services in the future. Vice Chair Anderson moved to authorize Snow College to hire a general counsel. Board member Albrecht seconded the motion, and the Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

Consent Calendar

Chair Church asked for it to be noted in the May 19, 2023, Committee of the Whole Minutes that Elizabeth Cantwell’s nickname is “Betsy,” not “Beth.” Board member Albrecht moved to approve the Consent Calendar. Board member Theurer seconded the motion, and the Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

Board member Arthur Newell moved to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing the professional character confidence of an individual. Board member Shawn Newell seconded the motion, and the Executive Committee members in attendance voted unanimously in favor. The motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.

Date Approved: August 10, 2023