The approach, which regents say will require $405 million in additional funding from the state and student tuition over the next five years, will involve statewide efforts to recruit more women and minority students.
If the plan works, college enrollment among 18- to 29-year-olds should grow 0.2 percent in 2007 and 0.5 percent in 2008, increasing to an annual growth rate of 0.7 percent by 2017.
"It's a modest proposal," Higher Education Commissioner Richard Kendell said during the board's meeting at Southern Utah University.
Officials facing college-enrollment declines are concerned by data that show that 35 percent of Utah's 18- to 24-year-olds attended college in 2004, while a decade ago, 41 percent of these traditional college-age students sought education beyond high school.
Research shows that Utahns with only high school diplomas face bleak economic futures.
In Utah, a high school graduate today can expect to make an annual salary of at least $21,992, according to a recent Utah Foundation report. In contrast, a bachelor's degree translates to an average yearly income of $48,719. Graduate degrees can push salaries to about $60,000.
Because college graduation rates tend to be lower among women and minorities, it is on those groups that the state hopes to focus recruitment efforts.
University of Utah student Ali Hasnain, who represents students on the 18-member higher education board, urged his colleagues not to rely too heavily on tuition increases to accomplish their goal.
Higher tuition could deter efforts to increase enrollment because the racial minorities and women whom colleges would like to recruit often cite increasing tuition, higher student fees and textbook costs as reasons not to pursue college degrees.
In other action, regents elected Bonnie Jean Beesley as vice chairwoman, replacing Jed Pitcher, who is now chairman.
Beesley was appointed to the board in 2003. She served on Salt Lake Community College board of trustees for seven years, including five years as its chairwoman.
sykes@sltrib.com
