LOGAN – During Utah’s 2024 legislative session a 1.5 percent budget cut was approved leading to budget changes faced by the state’s higher education institutions.
Monday, in an effort to update the Utah State University community regarding USU’s reinvestment plan, new President Brad L. Mortensen hosted a Town Hall on campus to share his optimism that USU’s plan will soon be approved by the Utah Legislature’s Executive Appropriations Committee.
He said his top priority is to receive approval of the USU reinvestment plan and ensure that the funds withheld from the budget are restored. He also discussed what he learned from recent employee and student surveys.
For Utah State University a $4.8 million budget cut took effect, July 1, 2025. The legislature also passed HB 265, Higher Education Strategic Reinvestment.
In addition to the budget cut approved last year, 2025 legislation impacted USU’s budget by another $12.6M, requiring the school to identify components of instruction and administrative functions for reduction or elimination that meet this dollar amount.
These dollars aren’t cut permanently, but USU is required to reallocate them.
During a 30-minute question and answer session to end the town hall, a faculty member asked what can be done to elevate USU’s brand beyond Utah?
“Aggie alumni are passionate,” said Mortensen. “And there are folks that are doing a lot of great things in disciplines all across the board. It’s important to elevate them and tell their stories, that is really important. I hate it when people say you are a hidden gem and the best kept secret. We don’t want to be hidden.”