Richfield Mayor Jay Andersen is getting a cold shoulder from the state's higher education echelon in response to a plan that would incorporate the state's Sevier Valley Technology Center with Snow College as one institution but with separate campuses.
The state Board of Regents and the Utah School Board are not receptive to the idea, the mayor reported. He met with representatives of the two groups after a meeting with Snow College President Gerald Day, who reportedly was receptive to the idea.The mayor said the higher education groups are apparently concerned about losing authority, declaring, "It's strictly a matter of treading on someone's turf."
But the "cold shoulder" response has the mayor more determined than ever to pursue the change. "It would be good for the students, the schools and the area," he said.
One of Andersen's greatest concerns is the difficulty Tech students face in obtaining credits, even though this was authorized by the Legislature. "They can get some credits through Snow College and some through Cedar City (Southern Utah University), but it's a mess," he said. Tech students who are taking the same courses as students in other schools and from fully accredited instructors are required to go through other schools to get credits.
The Sevier Valley Applied Technology Center at Richfield is one of five state-owned and operated vocational schools.
The mayor also claims Snow College and the Tech would both benefit by the availability of highly trained faculties and expansion of curricula. He suggests a Snow College/Ephraim and Snow College/Sevier Valley, but tying the two together as one school under one administrator.
Improved economies in Sanpete and Sevier counties would be a side benefit, Andersen said.