"For Utah County this is a really big deal. It has an overwhelming demand," Sen. Curtis Bramble, R-Provo, told his colleagues in endorsing SB70, which would enable the name change.

The legislation also carries private support.

Ira Fulton, a philanthropist and initiator of the Ira and Mary Lou Fulton Fundraising Challenge at UVSC, told senators he has nearly raised $10 million to match the $10 million that would be needed from the state to move UVSC toward university status. That money is needed, among other things, to decrease the percentage of adjunct professors at the school.

"It gives me goose bumps to hear the vote," Fulton told senators. He has challenged UVSC supporters to raise $5 million, which he would match.

Although supportive of the bill, which is sponsored by Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, some senators wondered whether UVSC will change its community college mission and whether it will have sufficient funding.

Bramble said the Orem-based school institution will continue to meet the demand for two-year associate degree programs because offering such programs is part of its mission.

UVSC also will continue to work with higher education officials and the Legislature to better fund colleges and universities and prevent tuition increases from overburdening students.

SB 70 now advances to a final reading on the Senate floor.