SUU Strategic Reinvestment Strategy
Southern Utah University is committed to student success, academic excellence, and preparing our graduates for the needs of Utah and beyond. Our responsibility is to ensure that our degrees remain relevant and powerful tools for our graduates, opening doors to meaningful work, service, and impact in a rapidly evolving economy.
HB 265: Higher Education Strategic Reinvestment
HB 265: Higher Education Strategic Reinvestment requires Utah’s public colleges and universities to create funding reallocation plans in consultation with the Utah Board of Higher Education to address:
- Enrollment trends
- Completion rates and timely graduation
- Discipline-related professional outcomes
- Current and future workforce demands
- Program-level cost
- Each University’s mission and role within the higher education system
Statewide, $60 million will be withheld; of that, Southern Utah University is facing a $3.17 million reduction for future reinvestment, to earn back based on the University’s strategic streamlining of operations and services over the next three years.
University Priorities
SUU remains committed to student success, academic excellence, and preparing graduates to meet the needs of Utah and beyond. To support these goals, our reinvestment strategy will focus on:
- Strengthening academic programs and increasing work-based learning opportunities
- Promoting accessibility, retention, and graduation through a student-centered approach
- Supporting impacted employees while aligning programs with state and workforce needs
- Simplifying pathways and services to improve efficiency and reduce redundancies
- Balancing career readiness with deep, meaningful learning experiences.
Strategic Reinvestment Timeline
University leaders have been in close consultation with faculty and staff representatives across campus throughout the drafting of this plan. These discussions are crucial to ensure a successful and collaborative approach to reinvestment.
Planning Deadlines
- May 9: Draft plan submitted to the Office of the Commissioner for Higher Education
- May 23: Final draft submitted to the Utah Board of Higher Education
- June 6: Reinvestment Plan presented by institutions to the Utah Board of Higher Education
- August 19: All institutional plans presented by USHE to the Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee
- September 15: All institutional plans presented by USHE to the Executive Appropriations Committee for approval
- 2027 & 2028 Fiscal Year End: Institutional Progress reports submitted to USHE.
| Impacted Area Reductions & Repositions | # of Positions | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative | 6.5 | $1,199,207 |
| Faculty | 13.6 | $1,582,627 |
| Staff | 5.25 | $380,171 |
| Other | $72,450 | |
| Total | $3,234,455 |
The proposed Strategic Reinvestment Plan must be reviewed and approved by the Utah Board of Higher Education and legislative committees.
We understand that change can be challenging, especially across a community like ours, and we are committed to keeping you informed and involved as this plan progresses.