Examining HB265: 'Is higher education in Utah better off than it was a year ago?'

Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes

KEY TAKEAWAYS

HB265 has altered operations at Utah's eight public degree-granting institutions significantly.
Proponents argue it enhances efficiency and aligns education with workforce needs.
Critics highlight negative impacts on humanities and rural education, questioning overall benefits.

SALT LAKE CITY — House Bill 265 — the so-called "Higher Education Strategic Reinvestment" measure — has dramatically altered operations at Utah's eight public degree-granting institutions.

Earlier this year, the Utah Legislature cut 10% from each school's budgets — then allowed them in subsequent months to recapture those withheld funds if they successfully "reinvested" in programs determined to be of highest value to both students and Utah's economy.

HB265 proponents say the historic legislation fosters opportunities that will benefit Utah students — professionally and personally — in a fast-evolving, high-tech world.

But each school's reinvestment plan has exacted pain. While hundreds of new employee positions are being created, hundreds are also being eliminated.

Meanwhile, academic programs and course offerings have been dramatically altered across Utah's higher education institutions — with aggressive reinvestment happening in health care, STEM and AI.

No surprise, HB265 has fans — and opponents.

The Deseret News asked several lawmakers and educators to share their opinions and insights on the historic legislation that will likely impact higher education in Utah for years to come.

The question posed to each: "Is higher education in Utah better off than it was a year ago?"

(Some responses have been edited for length.)

Utah lawmakers

Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper

House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, talks as he and Utah House Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield, House Majority Leader Jefferson Moss, R-Saratoga Springs, and House Majority Assistant Whip Casey Snider, R-Paradise, attend a combined Deseret News and KSL editorial boards meeting in Salt Lake City on Jan. 14. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)

"Utah set out to do something different — and it's working.

"Our higher education system is stronger today than it was a year ago because we made a conscious choice to put students first. HB265 has delivered exactly what we hoped for: More efficiency, more opportunities for Utah's students, and a better connection between our campuses and Utah's workforce needs.

"Our colleges and universities took on the challenge, identifying $23 million in administrative costs and reinvesting those savings to expand high-impact opportunities for students in engineering, health care, business and technology.

"Best of all, it'll make higher education more affordable, helping students graduate with less debt. Utah is leading the way in showing that higher education can be both forward-looking and fiscally responsible.

"When we stay focused on students, accountability and outcomes, everyone wins — students, taxpayers and our entire state. And we're just getting started."

Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights, a public school teacher

Sen. Kathleen A. Riebe, D-Salt Lake City, talks with Geoffrey Landward, Utah System of Higher Education commissioner, after a meeting with the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee about the higher education budget in the Senate Building in Salt Lake City on Jan. 23. (Photo: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

"I do not believe Utah higher education is better off.

"First, education is our largest employer in 23 counties. In our smaller counties, where Snow College and our Utah State University extensions (operate), this has been a tremendous setback.

"Second, Utah State University was the only university that did not have their budget OK'd because of their previous president — and that president is not picked by Utah State University alone, but vetted by a committee.

"Third, universities are competitive with their peers across the country, and we are continually in the news with education bills that are harmful to the autonomy of an institution of higher learning. Nonresident students pay a higher price and create a windfall for our universities, and I believe this will be a detriment to attracting the best and the brightest to our schools.

"Fourth, these cuts overwhelmingly were to humanities and social sciences classes. In our committee hearings, many of us voiced our disdain for taking away classes that build critical thinkers, and I believe this targets those classes at a higher rate than our other sciences.

"Fifth, nothing in the bill said that they could not target sports — as we have passed bills to fund the NIL programs to bring the best in the brightest to our sports programs. We did not do anything to cut those budgets by 10%.

"Lastly, we could have cut by attrition — draw downs to not encourage new students in those programs. Our universities do amazing things, but to force students to attend a university far from where they live is exactly the opposite of what we are doing to promote rural schools, rural communities and rural success. Leaving that community to attend another university has a high percentage of not returning."

Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton

Senate President Stuart Adams gavels in the joint session ahead of listening to Utah’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, inside the House of Representatives at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Jan. 21. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)

"When the economy shifts and industries evolve, Utah doesn't wait. We lead. That's what sets us apart. That's why Utah is the best state in the nation. We understand what the future demands and why we've prioritized industry-driven degrees that directly align with the needs of our fastest-growing sectors.

"Since the passage of the recent legislation just a few months ago, we're already seeing real results with strategic reinvestment plans approved by the Executive Appropriations Committee last month. Utah's colleges and universities are adapting their programs to meet real-world demands.

"We're not just preparing students; we're powering Utah's economy for generations to come. We're keeping our workforce competitive, adaptable and ready for the future. I appreciate higher education institutions for their commitment and partnership."

HB265 co-sponsor Rep. Karen Peterson, R-Clinton

House Rules Vice Chair Rep. Karen M. Peterson, R-Clinton, speaks as the Utah House majority announces the 2025 policy priorities at a press conference at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Jan. 13. (Photo: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)

"HB265 created a fundamental shift in how our colleges and universities operate, refocusing our efforts not only on better use of tax dollars and tuition, but also on evaluating the programs we offer.

"Each institution identified ways to operate more efficiently, redirecting resources from administration back into the classroom. More than 85% of reinvested dollars — nearly $52 million — are now flowing directly into classroom instruction and research. That's a win for Utah students.

"Because of HB265, our colleges and universities are investing tens of millions more into degree and certificate programs aligned with Utah's workforce needs — producing stronger outcomes for students without raising taxes or tuition. This means more highly skilled nurses, engineers, and mental health professionals entering Utah's workforce.

"When we put student outcomes first, it's good for families, communities, and the future of our state."

Read the full article at Deseret.com.

The Key Takeaways for this article were generated with the assistance of large language models and reviewed by our editorial team. The article, itself, is solely human-written.