Pending the governor's signature, UVSC will get a name change on July 1, 2008, and a new mission.

The Legislature supported the transition with unanimity; university status was supported without a single vote of dissent in either the House or Senate.

In the Senate, the bill, which had been amended in the House and returned to the Senate, passed in glorious form. "I proudly move, under suspension of the rules, that we concur with the House amendment," said Senate Majority Leader Curt Bramble, R-Provo.

They did so, 28-0.

UVSC representatives say the change is far more than new stationery and signs. College President William Sederburg said the next one to two years will be spent phasing in university programs, putting together master's degrees and planning for new space requirements. The new university will also be reducing the percentage of adjunct faculty while raising the number of full-time faculty.

Rep. Stephen Clark, R-Provo, spoke to the rationale for having two universities in the area.

"The issue here is that BYU is an international school now. It is bringing in students from all over the world. So the local state and Utah County students are in a void. We can't get a university education. This is a very good move. This is going to provide opportunities for young people to graduate with a university diploma from a great school."

The name change comes with an ongoing appropriation for $8 million. The funds will go toward new instructors, graduate programs and facilities to sustain a university mission. Though the appropriation is $2 million short of the requested funds, UVSC officials are still "thrilled."

Sederburg said that UVSC was very pleased with the $8 million appropriation, as they initially expected that they would be receiving $5 million this year and $5 million next year. He promised that he will be back on the hill next year to try to get the other $2 million.

Despite the seven-figure appropriation, UVSC is one of the cheapest schools per student for the state to run, according to the bill's House sponsor, Rep. Dave Clark, R- Santa Clara.

"UVSC, per student, is the most efficient educating institution in Utah. ... UVSC will continue to be one of the lowest appropriations per student in the state of Utah," he said.

Sederburg said the new university will have a limited number of master's degrees, and will begin with a master's in education program. UVSC officials, along with representatives and the state board of regents, say that UVU will continue to perform its community college role. According to Rep. Dave Clark, the school will continue to offer two-year degrees along with certificates and technical training.

UVSC has already benefited from the proposed university status, using the prestige to raise $10 million in private funds. Philanthropist Ira Fulton has personally donated $5 million, and UVSC officials say that they are closing in on their goal of and additional $5 million by the end of February.

UVSC students were on hand to witness the final passage of the bill.

UVSC student body president Andrew Stone said he was pleased that the Legislature and administrators recognized that the students and the school were worthy of university status.

"The education we get rivals any education you can get in the state," he said.

The overwhelming support by lawmakers made Sederburg a little nervous. "Maybe it means we should have asked for more money."

After the final vote in the Senate, Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, Sen. Margaret Dayton, R-Orem, and Bramble all received green hooded sweatshirts emblazoned with "Utah Valley University."

They, along with the rest of the Senate and the House, received UVU T-shirts with "first edition" printed on the sleeve. The student body president said the shirts would be collectors' items.

"I was going to use mine to mow the lawn," said Valentine.

The first shirt recipient was Senate Minority Leader Mike Dmitrich, D-Price.

"We would not have been able to do this without our friends from both sides of the aisle," said Valentine. He also thanked everyone else: "I have to thank each one of you personally, because it means a lot to me personally."

UVSC representatives say that they expect the governor to sign the bill.

Daily Herald Reporter Alan Choate contributed to this story.

SB 70, Utah Valley University Institutional Name Change, Sen. John Valentine, R-Orem and Rep. David Clark, R-Santa Clara. This bill changes UVSC to Utah Valley University.