Regents adopt plan to push most adults through college by 2020

Brian Maffly:

During a 40-year career in higher education, Stan Albrecht has seen his share of strategic plans emerge after interminable meetings and lots of sweat only to gather dust on the shelf.

The Utah State University president cautioned the Utah Board of Regents that its new 10-year road map -- hoped to pave Utah's way to a much more educated workforce -- might be destined for such a fate if the scope of its 52 recommendations is not narrowed.

On Thursday, the Regents approved the 100-page Higher Ed Utah 2020 Plan, crafted at the request of Gov. Gary Herbert, after months of meetings and consultations. The plan seeks to get more students into college and earning degrees -- currently less than 50 percent graduate -- while promoting the role of higher education in economic innovation and workforce development.

How? By expanding need-based aid, embracing instructional technology and conducting classes online, shoring up the community college mission at the state's regional universities, and subsidizing associate degree-seeking students, among dozens of other recommendations.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at December 19, 2010 1:01 AM
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