The Senate passed a bill Feb. 6 approving more than $20 million in ongoing funding for all state colleges and universities.
The money would be used to improve student retention and graduation rates, advance math and science fields, improve faculty quality, promote regional economic development and fund other priorities as set forth by the institution.
These funding objectives fall under institutional priorities set forth by the Utah System of Higher Education and approved by the State Board of Regents.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Dennis Stowell, R-Parowan, passed unanimously with two absences. It will now move to the House of Representatives for a vote.
Under the provisions of the bill, the U would receive $4.5 million to fund programs such as Honors and LEAP, add more advisers, create more online courses, enhance minority student counseling and mentoring, and increase international programs such as study abroad.
Money would also go toward improving instructional science labs and hiring more science faculty.
The U would also use funding to create an urban planning center in the College of Architecture and Planning and enlarge partnerships with K-12 schools.