USU Receives Check from Trust Lands Administration

Two years ago, legislators began looking at how income generated by the state’s trust lands was distributed to the “Normal School” account. Originally, 100 percent of higher education’s share benefited the University of Utah. That was until Senate Bill 120 passed. That piece of legislation — sponsored by Sen. Tom Hatch, Dist. 28 — now requires that the revenue be distributed across the entire Utah system of higher education to benefit education programs.

As a result, representatives of Utah State University’s College of Education and Human Services met with President Stan Albrecht and Dale Huffaker, director of USU’s real property and risk management, to receive the first Normal School check distribution, presented by Kevin Carter, director of the State of Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration.

 

The School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, created in 1994 by the state legislature, is an independent agency of the state government that manages 12 real estate trusts with the mission of providing financial support for public schools and 11 other beneficiary institutions.

 

Trust lands were granted to the state of Utah by the federal government when Utah became a state in 1896. The interest and dividend earnings generated from the trusts are distributed to the 12 beneficiaries on an annual basis — one beneficiary is the Normal School account, now comprised of the colleges and universities in the state that offer education degrees.

 

“Money from the Normal School account will be distributed once a year to the schools that graduate teachers,” Carter said. “The money awarded is proportionate to the number of graduates from each school’s program.”

 

Since Utah State University’s College of Education and Human Services graduates more students with teaching degrees than any other public institution in the state, it received the largest check — more than double the amount of the second school. Utah State University’s check was for $90,780.

 

Approximately $234,000 was divided among six institutions of higher education this year.

 

“I am pleased to deliver the first in what will be a perpetual stream of income to Utah State University for its College of Education,” Carter said. “There will be a distribution to the college every year from now on to assist in funding the education of teachers. No money we generate could go to a more worthy cause.”

 

Jim Dorward, associate dean for research, and Francine F. Johnson, associate dean for teacher education, graduation and licensing, were on hand to accept the check on behalf of the College of Education and Human Services.

 

“We have one of the best colleges of education in the country,” President Albrecht said. “We are delighted to be a recipient of this check, and it provides a real boost to our College of Education and Human Services. Thank you.”

 

Dave Hebertson, public relations manager from the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration, accompanied Carter.