Earlier this year, CEU students presented a four-page proposal, titled "Statement of Expectations," to the CEU administration. Students contend persistent enrollment drops at CEU are due not just to budget shortfalls, but to elimination of "once-dynamic programs," such as debate and athletics.

The students believe "mediocrity" has become the norm at CEU, from poor food to less than stellar performances in music, band, dance and athletic programs, in which students once were proud to participate, the document says.

"Few members of the faculty have the desire to build quality programs with national reputations, let alone maintain office hours, participate in or attend student extra curriculum activities outside their own disciplines or mentor students through clubs," it says.

CEU student body president Jesse Holt said the resolution is an "in-house" call to action. "It's time to think outside the box," said the 20-year sophomore from Tooele. "We shouldn't always cite a lack of money for not doing what we can do to reverse the decline in student enrollment."

Holt said Price isn't seen as a "happening place" but that alone wouldn't stop students from coming to the eastern Utah college for high-quality academic and intramural athletic programs.

With campuses in Price and Blanding, CEU operates in areas of the state with less than robust economies - resulting in those regions experiencing significant drops in their school-aged population. To be viable, CEU must recruit 65 percent of its students from the Wasatch Front or out of state.

Last December, regents directed Higher Education Commissioner Richard Kendell to explore the possibility of merging CEU and the Southeast Applied Technology College (SATC) to boost enrollment. The commissioner also was told to explore other options for CEU. Kendell's recommendations will be presented to the board by June 30.

In response to students' call to action, CEU President Ryan Thomas appointed a committee to address "substantive" issues outlined in the proposal. The panel has met with various groups on campus to outline a plan of action, he said. In addition, a consultant was brought in to work with CEU food services.

Thomas, however, dismissed other points made in the resolution, deeming them "immature statements" - such as urging the administration to hire a public relations firm to "name-brand" CEU with its Prehistoric Museum.

Meanwhile, speculation abounds about whether CEU will merge with the SATC or be adopted by Utah State University, becoming USU-Eastern Utah.

CEU is designed for at least a 2,400 student population. Currently, it has about 1,400.

To ensure 2,400-plus students, CEU needs to increase the number of scholarships, Thomas said. Being able to provide scholarships with private funding would be the ideal, he said.

sykes@sltrib.com

Regents convene at CEU today

Utah's State Board of Regents meets today at the College of Eastern Utah in Price, whose falling enrollment has prompted talk of merging the college with a nearby technical school. CEU's master plan is one item on the agenda. Other items the board will discuss: * Rising college costs

* Federal legislation and student loans

* New 4-year programs at UVSC