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By John Valentine
Senate Chair of Higher Education Approps

@danceyeah asked a good question.

It has to do with timing. The MATC has to move out of most of the facility it shares with UVU in Orem because UVU did not renew the lease. UVU can't renew it because they are bursting at the seams with student growth and needs the classroom space. (Fall enrollment this year at UVU grew by more students that the entire campus of students at CEU in Price and Blanding combined.) UVU also badly needs a science building for student classrooms - they have the least amount of classroom space per student than any other institution in higher ed.

At the same time, MATC has seen a similar growth rate. About 5 years ago, knowing that this growth was going to bury both institutions, we bought ground in Lehi at 50 percent of market value, right next to the planned commuter rail stop. Since it was at a bargain price, the deed and contract contained what is called a reservation clause - if the state did not build a MATC facility within that time, the deed would revert back to the original grantor at the original purchase price. We are close to that deadline now.

The Higher Ed cuts, just like cuts made to other state budgets, are from the ongoing general funds. However, we are financing the MATC building by a state general obligation bond. Both the training and the trade education at this institution are part of the economic recovery.

That was more than 140 characters, but I hope it helps.

1 Comments:

 Ric Cantrell said...

@danceyeah's response.

Any good ideas out there for integrating Twitter and Facebook conversations with the blog world?

9/30/2009 1:06 PM  

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