Utah higher ed. commissioner didn’t force schools to close cultural centers now — but said it’ll be ‘an inevitability’
Utah’s commissioner for higher education insists he did not tell public colleges in the state that they had to shutter their cultural centers to abide by“It’s not required by law. And I’m not directing them to do it as a requirement,” he told The Salt Lake Tribune on Wednesday. “But it’s what I’m advising them to do either now or to start transitioning toward as the model for the future.
It says that schools should adjust their centers to “conform with the requirements of HB261″ and ensure they are not providing academic supports or resources at cultural centers. Counseling, advising and tutoring should be shifted to the generic “student success and support” centers for everyone. It’s up to each school’s administration, he said, how to move forward. And, so far, schools have announced slightly different paths.
USU and the University of Utah have both announced plans to do that. The U. will have a new Community and Cultural Engagement Center. Utah State will call its the Center for the Study of Community.