The Higher Education Strategic Reinvestment Bill, or HB 265, has many worried throughout the university. The bill was made to identify “programs, courses, degrees, departments, colleges, or other divisions, operational efficiencies, and other components of instruction and administrative functions, including dean and other administrative positions,” and cut them out of budget, according to an email sent out by the university.
The Utah Board of Higher Education will cut funding to all degree-earning institutions by about $60 million, with $6-7 million estimated to be Weber State’s reduction. If the bill is passed, the reduction will cost Weber State countless programs and even faculty positions.
Deborah Uman, the dean of Lindquist College of Arts and Humanities, like most other Weber State faculty and staff, has been feeling the pressure of this bill. However, she says this isn’t coming out of the blue.
“We’ve known something like this was coming for, I want to say, six months at least — since the summer. We’ve known something was going to happen, just not what,” Uman said.
Should it be passed, the bill will impact students and faculty across the campus from various degrees. Degrees with low enrollment or yield rates will likely be cut first. After an initial teachout period where students already enrolled can finish their degrees, the degrees will not be available for enrollment for incoming students or students changing their major.
It doesn’t just leave students at a crossroads; it also leaves faculty unsure. Many professors whose jobs are in jeopardy of being cut must wait patiently for Weber State’s indecision regarding the bill to pass. Weber State has to decide what programs it will cut and what programs it will keep.
“If there is a position eliminated, we try to find an appropriate placement or opportunity for that on campus,” President Brad Mortensen announced at the town hall meeting that took place on Jan. 27. This means that Weber State faculty and staff, who could have their jobs displaced because of this bill, could have other opportunities to stay a part of the university.
Weber had one of its highest enrollment semesters last fall, with over 4,000 students joining the university. With such high numbers, many have wondered why reduce funds to the college, instead of granting them more funds.
“The reason given is for the preparation for the decline in student population. In about 10 years, there will be fewer 18 to 22-year-olds in the state who will go to college. That happened in other states, but it didn’t happen here. So the reason we were given is to prepare for that decrease now,” Uman explains.
There is still much unknown about this bill and where it leaves Weber State and other universities going forward with their degree programs. The legislature is still debating it, but it is almost certain that it will be passed. Despite this, Uman remains optimistic.
“I have a lot of faith in the intelligence of the people working on this, the good intentions of the people at this university, and how deeply we care about our students’ success because that is the number one thing that motivates everyone on this campus,” Uman said.
Alexander Schott • Jan 30, 2025 at 8:43 am
I think it’s sad as a society we can’t produce enough excess value to fund things like the arts, philosphy, etc. How are billionaires allowed to extract so much wealth meanwhile we are losing our very soul. People used to think it was important to invest in these things. It’s such a shame we may lose some great artists and thinkers becuase the college they can afford only offers technical degrees.
Ashlee Ellinwood • Jan 30, 2025 at 5:57 pm
100% agree. We stand to lose so much as a society as we continue to cut funding to and lose arts and humanities and it shows in so many ways.