Access to higher education opportunities for Utahns is a very high priority for the Utah System of Higher Education. Since 1969, the system has worked to provide higher education opportunities for Utahns throughout the state.

The Transcript-Bulletin’s editorial titled “Let the free market work for education” (July 9) mistakenly suggests, “Educational institutions competing with each other is something government should interfere in as little as possible.” This would be true if we were talking about private institutions, not largely supported by taxpayers. However, in Utah, taxpayers on average pay two-thirds of the cost of higher education with the balance paid by students through tuition. With limited resources, how much can taxpayers afford in allowing higher education services to compete amongst themselves? For higher education institutions to financially break even, they must enroll a minimum number of students in their courses. If multiple institutions offering similar courses are each serving less than the required number of students, the resources to provide education can be stretched to the breaking point.

The current makeup of higher education services in Tooele County has resulted in some unnecessary duplication. Currently, Utah State University provides both lower and upper division undergraduate, as well as graduate courses at its Tooele campus. The Utah College of Applied Technology provides skills training. Because of its mission, Salt Lake Community College, which offers associate degrees through lower-division undergraduate courses as well as skills training, is squeezed between the other two institutions.

After consulting with Tooele County Commissioners, local legislators, Tooele County School District superintendents (outgoing and incoming), and higher education institution presidents, I decided to phase out the delivery of some services provided by SLCC in Tooele County while maintaining the same kinds of opportunities by the remaining two institutions (USU and UCAT). This transition should not reduce services, but will help reduce confusion among students and hold the line on taxpayer costs. While Salt Lake Community College has expressed a continued commitment to provide quality services to residents of Tooele, the institution has agreed to support this move to ensure the viability of higher education services provided by the remaining two institutions in Tooele County.

As for concurrent enrollment, where high school students take classes in high school that also earn college credit, classes will continue to be offered by USU and SLCC — SLCC’s role will be re-evaluated next year. SLCC will also continue to provide custom-fit training in Tooele County by contract with private industry.

To suggest public institutions of higher education should freely compete against one another ultimately reduces the efficiency of higher education services in the state and wastes taxpayer dollars. Our commitment to Tooele County remains as strong as ever, but in a way that more wisely uses taxpayer resources.

David L. Buhler is the interim commissioner of higher education for the state of Utah.