They also may be able to drive their own cars and receive cash payments instead of being saddled with state vehicles as part of their benefits package.

These are among changes to presidential benefit packages the state Board of Regents will consider when the 18-member higher education governing panel meets today in Salt Lake City.

"Utah has had a long-standing practice of having an institutional residence for presidents, but times are changing," Commissioner of Higher Education Richard Kendell said. The proposed revisions aim to allow "some flexibility" for individuals who become college presidents, he said.

Of the state's nine traditional public colleges and universities, only Weber State University does not have a presidential residence. Utah College of Applied Technology (UCAT), the state's 10th and newest college, also does not have a presidential residence.

WSU President F. Ann Millner had built a home in Ogden prior to becoming president of the Ogden school. She opted to stay in her own home and accept the annual housing allowance, rather than have the college provide her with an official president's resident.

Kendell, who has a home in Davis County, also gets the annual housing allowance.

Dixie State College's new boss, Lee Caldwell, has said he would prefer not to move into the president's residence but would use the home for school-related functions. The home has two levels, making it difficult for a member of the Caldwell family to get around.

"We are trying to bring our policies in line to work with a variety of circumstances that people have," said Kendell, noted that during recent searches for college presidents, he learned not everyone wants to live in an institutional residence on or near the college campus.

Utah is one of only a few states that provide homes for all state-owned college presidents, including those at two-year community and junior colleges.

A housing allowance is the most common and universal practice across the country, said David Longanecker, executive director for the Colorado-based Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education - a 15-member states organization working together for education excellence in the West.

"In Utah, the community colleges fall under the same governing board as the state universities, Longanecker said. "It would be hard to give one set of presidents some benefits that are not provided to others without making them feel like they're the stepchildren of the system."