Inside Voices: What Utahns have to say about potential cuts to higher education

Happy Saturday, and welcome to Inside Voices, a weekly newsletter that features a collection of ideas, perspectives and solutions from across Utah — without any of the vitriol or yelling that’s become all too common on other platforms. Subscribe here.

With another legislative session approaching, education has emerged as a hot topic — both for lawmakers and the public.

After House Speak Mike Schultz called for a major cut to Utah’s higher education institutions, we received several op-eds, letters to the editor and comments on the topic, many of which center on the question: What’s the value of higher education?

• “In the name of ‘workforce alignment,’ lawmakers want to turn the state’s universities into job training centers,” writes Weber State professor Eric C. Ewert. “The trouble is that Utah already has eight technical colleges, and a dozen or so private and for-profit colleges that specialize in technical education. These are the places for job-ready training. Universities have a clearly different mission that benefits students and the state in myriad ways.”

• “[B]efore Speaker Schultz and our Legislature flippantly dismiss the ‘other stuff’ that our fine state universities offer, I would plead with them to consider the fact that our country, our Constitution and our democracy were built and have been maintained by people who were trained in the very areas that are potentially up for elimination,” writes Lynne Larson, an educator and author. “The finest leaders in our history were men and women who knew the Great Books, the great philosophers, the great thinkers of our past.”

On Instagram, many of our followers voiced their concerns:

• “These efficiency proponents are going to greed us out of a livable, humane earth,” one person commented.

• “If someone wants to limit your education in any way, they are a HUGE 🚩,” another person commented.

Stay tuned: Next week I’ll be sharing op-eds about shared governance in public schools and cultural centers at universities, among other topics.

Let me know what you think.

Utah Voices

The following excerpts come from op-eds recently published in The Tribune.

Housing

• “One way to build affordable housing is with a ‘mansion tax,’ a fee on high-end real-estate sales, in the form of a one-time payment at closing,” writes Jean M. Lown. “Collect a modest fee on each residential real estate transaction exceeding a specific amount, say $1 million. These fees are currently in use in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. In L.A. the money is used for affordable housing and homelessness prevention.” Read more.

Immigration

• “Even as a permanent resident, I understand the fear many people have,” writes Gabrielle Pacheco. “My parents, sisters and I fled the dictatorial regime in Venezuela seven years ago. While I became a permanent resident in 2022, they only have Temporary Protected Status. They fear losing this status, which would leave them without any legal opportunity to stay in the United States.” Read more.

Mental health

• “Losing William has left a hole in our family that will never be filled,” writes Lisa West. “But by pushing for change, we can ensure that his life sparks a transformation that saves others. We owe it to those who care for us to make sure they’re cared for, too.” Read more.

Water

• “Our approach is to adapt Colorado River operations and uses to the annual available water supply using the best available science and tools while we continue to meet our responsibilities and commitments to our communities, our states and the Basin,” writes the Upper Colorado River Commission. “We are planning for and will manage the river we have, not the river we want.” Read more.

Movie etiquette

• “To all movie theater managers and employees: Don’t be afraid to kick people out. Enforce the no phone and talking policies,” writes Ian Scott. “To all movie theater goers: Please shut up and put away your phone. And to other (quieter) movie theater goers: Don’t be afraid to shush people.” Read more.

Share Your Perspective

I’m gathering predictions ahead of the new year. What do you see happening — or what would you like to see happen — in Utah in 2025?

From Bagley’s Desk

I’m always looking for unique perspectives, ideas and solutions that move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here, and drop me a note at voices@sltrib.com.