Utah Valley University's shared governance is achieved by university governance committees
under the direction of executives. The collaboration of faculty members, staff members,
staff administrators, and students assists in achieving the best outcome for the institution
through consultation, deliberation, discussion, and action taken within the scope
of delegated governance authority. These collaborative efforts contribute to the overall
success of the university.
Governance Committees
ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGY STEERING COMMITTEE Responsible University Governance Entity: Academic Affairs & Digital Transformation
Chairperson(s): Kat Brown & Nathan Gerber
Description: Review and recommend strategies and practices regarding all academic IT issues. Prioritize
and vet technology initiatives to ensure wise use of resources entrusted to the institution
and focus on student success.
Benefits CommitteeResponsible University Governance Entity: People and Culture
Chairperson(s): Marni Fisher
Description: Provides strategic guidance on employee benefits' related matters such as plan and
program design, costs, funding, and competitiveness. Provides recommendations and
guidance regarding health, wellness, and medical care for the university community.
Board of trusteesResponsible University Governance Entity: Utah Board of Higher Education
Chairperson(s): Rick Nielsen
Description: Serves as the university’s governing board, holding fiduciary responsibility for the
governance of the University.
Board of Trustees - Executive Committee
Responsible University Governance Entity: Utah Board of Higher Education
Chairperson(s): Rick Nielsen
Description: Standing committee of the Board of Trustees.
Cybersecurity & Data PrivacyResponsible University Governance Entity: Digital Transformation & Office of General Counsel
Chairperson(s): Brett McKeachnie & Clark Collings
Description: Works on and governs cybersecurity response, policy, and direction as well as works
with data privacy issues.
Data governance Council
Responsible University Governance Entity: Digital Transformation
Chairperson(s): Laura Busby
Description: Develops and oversees the creation, implementation, and assessment of the data governance
plan. Tasked with ensuring the plan is published and available to the university community
and the appropriate stakeholders.
Emergency Preparedness Advisory Committee
Responsible University Governance Entity: Administration and Strategic Relations
Chairperson(s): Robin Ebmeyer
Description: Develops emergency management prevention and response plans and serves as an advisory
body to the President regarding campus emergency planning. (EOC) is a function that
occurs during an emergency and is not a committee.
Executive Infrastructure Planning Committee
Responsible University Governance Entity: Administration and Strategic Relations
Chairperson(s): Frank Young
Description: Discusses infrastructure issues and needs and may consider space and facility modification
requests.
Investment Advisory Committee
Responsible University Governance Entity: People and Culture
Chairperson(s): Marni Fisher
Description: Maintains responsibility for reviewing the investment options that employees have
the opportunity to invest their retirement funds in.
President’s Council
Responsible University Governance Entity: Office of the President
Chairperson(s): President Tuminez
Description: A decision-making body that advises the President on topics of significant importance
and plays a central role in the university’s policy process and fiscal management.
Professional Association of Campus Employees (PACE)
Responsible University Governance Entity: People and Culture
Chairperson(s): Nikki Scott
Description: To advocate for UVU exempt and non-exempt staff and their concerns through a unified
voice to the administration in all areas that involve PACE members.
Technology Support Committee
Responsible University Governance Entity: Digital Transformation
Chairperson(s): Kim Leseberg
Description: Coordinate technical support for desktop computers and end-user needs.
University Executive Council
Responsible University Governance Entity: Academic Affairs
Chairperson(s): Wayne Vaught
Description: Serves as an advisory body consisting of the university’s second-tier leaders to
update senior leadership of the university on institutional goals and progress. Creates
an environment for advisement to the President on current concerns, changes, or other
important issues. Serves as a think tank for university leadership to brainstorm ideas
and solutions to the institution’s challenges.
University Investments Committee
Responsible University Governance Entity: Finance and Auxiliary Services
Chairperson(s): Board of Trustees Member
Description: Reviews and recommends investment guidelines, procedures, objectives, and strategies
(UVU Policy 205).
University Planning Advisory Committee
Chairperson(s): Laurie Sharp, Rasha Qudisat
Description: Functions as the central steering committee for university-wide planning, budgeting,
and assessment. Makes recommendations to the University Executive Council and President's
Council to guide decision-making aligned with the University's mission and goals.
Academic Affairs council
Chairperson(s): Wayne Vaught
Description: Makes and conveys to the university community the official decisions and positions
of the university’s academic executives.
Academic Calendar Committee
Chairperson(s): Tiffany Evans and Meaghan McKasy
Description: Oversees issues related to the academic calendar, such as beginning and ending dates
and holidays for each semester from which to establish academic calendars three to
five years in advance.
Course Fee Review Committee
Chairperson(s): Laurie Sharp
Description: Provides oversight for course-based fees at the institution according to institutional
and state policy. This includes preparing reports for school/college review, considering
the need for proposed new and revised course-based fees, and approving or disapproving
related proposals.
Faculty Senate
Chairperson(s): Wioleta Fedeczko
Description: Serves as a means by which the opinions and official position of the faculty may be
determined and communicated to the administration of the University, and it shall
serve as an entity through which faculty participate in the university policy development
process.
Institutional Review Board
Chairperson(s): Cyrill Slezak
Description: Review proposals of research involving human subjects. Authorizes and monitors human
subject research on campus.
General Student Fee Board
Chairperson(s): Alexis Palmer
Description: Oversees the creation, review, and maintenance of general student fees.
University Accessibility Committee
Chairperson(s): Tara Ivie
Description: Develops, implements, and oversees the university-wide accessibility plan. Oversees
the ADA Grievance Committee Hearing to address issues and solutions related to university
functioning and the Americans with Disabilities Act and hear appeals of decisions
for denied requests for accommodations.
Utah valley university student association (UVUSA)
Chairperson(s): Mimi Barney, 2024-25 Student Body President
Description: Consists of all currently enrolled students. Student Council acts as the governing
body of the student body and is charged with representing students on campus committees,
creating socialization events, and establishing meaningful educational interaction
between students, faculty, staff, administration, and community.
University Governance Committees: Committees formed by and given delegated governance authority, as defined in the
committee’s charter, by a university governance entity. Committees include committees,
councils, boards, and associations with delegated governance authority. (UVU Policy
102)
University Advisory Boards: Advisory boards provide the University and its programs with valuable industry and
community input, expertise, and guidance. Advisory boards provide consultation, deliberate
issues, and provide recommendations to the responsible chartering university executive
and/or their appointee to whom the advisory board is accountable. (UVU Policy 104)
Individuals wishing to establish an advisory board must complete the Advisory Board
Charter Form provided by the Office of General Counsel for submission to a chartering
university executive.
Advisory Board Charter Form
