Holland reflects on the year, plans future

Faculty and staff listened to President Matthew Holland talk about student and organization achievements, university recognitions and budget plans at the annual “Hoagies with Holland” on April 17 in the Grand Ballroom at noon.

The president recognized that over the year there have been many accomplishments in the school and did not have time to cover them all. He mentioned several, including culinary arts, men’s basketball and cross country teams, public relations student society, the dance team and more.

During the past year, the Barbara Barrington Jones Foundation Wee Care Center has opened, the $2 million donation from Vivint got a new program running, the Roots of Knowledge project has begun to celebrate the school’s 75th anniversary, the aviation program celebrated its 25th anniversary and the ground was broken to get started on the new classroom building.

The majority of the presentation addressed the most recent legislative session and how it affects UVU.

“The minute the session ended last year, we went to work on the session for this year,” Holland said. He, along with many other university and state representatives, fought hard to get UVU the funds that it needed.

The effort that was put in had successful results. Compared to other colleges in the state, UVU received the most percentage of equity funds-42.2 percent, totaling about $24 million dollars, more than UVU has gotten over the past eight years combined.

Cameron Martin, vice president of University Relations interrupted Holland’s remarks to let the audience be aware of how hard the president worked to make sure UVU got what it deserved.

“He was touted in the public papers as the Rottweiler on the pant leg of the legislators,” Martin said. He then gave Holland a Rottweiler lapel pin as a memento of his efforts.

Holland was caught off guard but was appreciative of the remarks.

“It’s easy to represent Utah Valley University even when it’s hard because I just can’t think of a more deserving set of faculty, staff and students to be associated with,” the president said. “It truly is a great honor to represent you, fight for you and defend what we’re doing here”

In order to get what UVU did from the legislature, tuition had to be raised a little, 4 percent more, though it was the lowest rate change in the past 10 years.

Faculty, staff, adjunct and hourly staff compensation funds were raised to be more comparable with other universities.

Under $2 million of the budget proposal is planned to pay for operations and management, especially for the new classroom building.

A timeline has been set up to better plan the budget for the upcoming years, including for one-time and base allocations, all of which are formed on needs and the core themes of the university-serious, engaged and inclusive.

Additional details, along with the slideshow and recording of the presentation, can be found at uvu.edu/pba.