As many Utahns know, there is an official and unofficial demarcation line along the Salt Lake County-Utah County line.
Some students hesitate to consider enrolling at the University of Utah. It could deter U graduates from applying for jobs in Utah County south of the Silicon Slope corridor. And because of state law, the university is effectively barred from establishing a satellite campus outside of Salt Lake County.
This week, University of Utah President Taylor Randall and other campus leaders crossed that line and took the issue into uncharted territory for the U.
“We’d love to have a lot of red here,” Randall told digital services company executives. platform On the first stop of a day-long road trip.
On the third leg of his cross-Utah tour, Randall, a group of U leaders and State Commissioner of Higher Education Dave Wolstenhulme traveled from Utah County’s Lahey Technology Center to Provo to the BYU Creamery and back to Mount Point. They met with elected leaders from Utah County to develop satellite campuses; Talked internships and Podium and recruiting with executives from the essential oils and wellness company doTERRA; Geneva Rock has explored sustainability innovations; And wrapped up in “OverviewThe point” and “Intersection” of higher education at the former Utah State Penitentiary in Draper.
At Utah County businesses, the discussion focused on placing U of A students in internships — including summer intensive programs at Kahlert Technology — and facilitating businesses’ recruiting efforts after graduation.
“Hiring people is harder than it was four or five years ago. A lot of companies are realizing that there is a lot of great talent here in Utah,” said Eric Rea, Founder and CEO of Podium. “All you can do is increase number 1 [computer science and engineering graduate] Capacity. We had to hire engineers from Brazil. It would be much easier for us to hire from here.”
In turn, Randall had a request: Please support the university’s bid for state funding to complete a new computer science building, he asked the Podium founders. Donors John and Marcia provided value a 15 million dollar leadership grant 209,000 for a six-story building. But the project’s $120 million price tag will require legislative and industry support.
The U teaches about 46% of the state’s computer science and computer engineering graduates.
A letter from the podium will help the Utah Legislature prioritize classroom and office construction projects in 2023, the president added.
At doTERRA, company executives, including CEO Corey Lindley and general counsel Mark Wolfert, said the company was based in the U.S.
“We always want to hire the best,” Lindley said. “We’re always looking for ways to identify students as interns and then hire them as scientists and business executives.”
Chris Farnsworth, director of human resources, said the company is hoping to overcome perceived barriers at the county line and expand its workforce with Salt Lake County residents. As part of that effort, doTERRA executives are pushing to locate the Frontrunner train stop nearby and provide crosswalks for employees. About 20 percent of doTerra employees work remotely.
“We’ve done quite a bit of recruiting at the U, but we want to do more,” Farnsworth said.
Finally, university officials met with elected officials from the city of Provo, Utah County and the state legislature to discuss breaking down the existential barriers between the U and Utah Valley — traditionally the landing site of arch-rival Brigham Young University.
“We’re not afraid of competition,” Randall said. “We are here to increase the reach and expand the impact of the state’s flagship university. But we plan to lead with humility,” he said.
In BYU Cougar country, there was some skepticism.
State Rep. Kevin Stratton, R-Orem, said: “You say you want to lead with humility, but there are some people down here who say, ‘I don’t think I want the University of Utah in my community.’ “How do we bridge the gap between those historical biases?”
Randall said the university does not shy away from open discussions on campus about cultural differences and sensitive issues, including academic freedom and free speech.
“Even at the University of Utah, we struggle with honest conversation,” he said. “You will see us lead with hope.”
State Sen. Michael Kennedy, R-Alpine, grabbed a U baseball cap on his way out. “It’s a rare opportunity for us to have you in our backyard,” he said. “thank you.”
