U. researches a merger with Dixie College
"This has been a really exciting journey," said Chuck Wight, the U.'s associate vice president for academic affairs and co-chairman of a task force assigned to research the proposal. "Our task force has focused on gathering information, particularly from institutions that have undergone similar transformations and partnerships. What you'll find here is a snapshot of where we are in the process. You'll find opinions, advantages and disadvantages."
Visits to several schools in the Southeast that have undergone a change such as the one suggested between Dixie and the U. provided the task force with a good idea of how the plan could work, he said.
"So this is not a new process, there are benchmarks out there," said Shandon Gubler, chairman of the Dixie board of trustees. "It's nice to see there are real, live, breathing, working models at institutions that have gone through this process."
The interim report includes a historical timeline of the affiliation proposal, complete with Dixie's original "white paper" that started the process, the U.'s response letter and positive comments from people in the community. Case studies from the schools the team visited are also included, as are reports from other working groups of the task force.
"Dixie State College and the University of Utah are very different institutions," Wight said. "I don't know anybody who thinks it would be a great idea to create a miniature version of the U. of U. in St. George."
Donna Dillingham-Evans, Dixie vice president of academic services, co-chairs the joint affiliation task force with Wight. She said the two schools are already reaping the benefits of working together on the affiliation proposal.
"Each step of the way this has been nothing but how can we assist Dixie State College and how can we help you do what's best for the educational needs of the students," she said. "We have developed closer relationships between our libraries, music and art departments and the U. is delivering some economic structures for our business department so it can grow at a faster rate."
Wight voiced a note of caution when he said the task force would take its time to do the job right.
"I'm very reluctant to hurry the process. If you have to delay it to do it right, then you should delay it rather than hurrying and messing it up," he said.
Recent comments
News flash to the Deseret Morning News. The "white paper"...
UUSG | March 27, 2008 at 1:56 p.m.
So if it is of the opinion of St. George residents that Dixie State...
Will you write a check Leftwinge | March 24, 2008 at 5:35 p.m.
I'm happy to hear the board still ignores the opinion of St....
Leftwinger | March 24, 2008 at 1:47 p.m.
