Skip to content

Undergraduate Council

Responsibilities & Composition

Undergraduate education is a major mission of the University. The Undergraduate Council, working closely with colleges, departments, and programs, is responsible for many of the policies that shape our the education of students at the University of Utah. Members of the Council are elected from a broad range of colleges and departments that offer undergraduate degrees along with representatives from ASUU, the Library, and other areas that work closely with undergraduate education. The Council works best when it promotes a lively exchange of views on policies vital to the education of students.

The Council is responsible for coordinating and encouraging the development of undergraduate studies across the University and overseeing all university-wide undergraduate requirements. It is charged with maintaining a program of general education and other graduation requirements in cooperation with the academic departments and colleges. The Council reviews and evaluates proposals for new certificates, degrees, and undergraduate programs not located in or associated with graduate programs. Additionally, the Undergraduate Council collaborates with the Graduate Council in reviewing undergraduate programs based in departments that award graduate degrees. The Undergraduate Council also serves as the selection committee for University Professor and for the McMurrin Distinguished Visiting Professor.

Meeting Schedule

Undergraduate Council meetings are held on the first and third Thursdays of the month from 1:30 – 3:00pm during the academic year. The Council will alternate meeting in person at the Winder Boardroom in the Park Building and on Zoom.

Fall 2023 Meetings

  • Thursday, September 7th at 1:30 – 3:00pm (in person; focused on policy, etc.)
  • Thursday, September 21st at 1:30 - 3:00pm (on Zoom; focused on curricular proposals)
  • Thursday, October 5th at 1:30 – 3:00pm (in person; focused on policy, etc.)
  • Thursday, October 19th at 1:30 - 3:00pm (on Zoom; focused on curricular proposals)
  • Thursday, November 2nd at 1:30 - 3:00pm (in person; focused on policy, etc.)
  • Thursday, November 16th at 1:30 - 3:00pm (on Zoom; focused on curricular proposals)
  • Thursday, December 7th at 1:30 - 3:00pm (in person; focused on policy, etc.)

Spring 2024 Meetings

  • Thursday, January 18th at 1:30 - 3:00PM (on Zoom; focused on curricular proposals)
  • Thursday, February 1st at 1:30 – 3:00pm (in person; focused on policy, etc.)
  • Thursday, February 15th at 1:30 – 3:00pm (on Zoom; focused on curricular proposals)
  • Thursday, March 21st at 1:30 – 3:00pm (on Zoom; focused on curricular proposals)
  • Thursday, April 4th at 1:30 – 3:00pm (in person; focused on policy, etc.)
  • Thursday, April 18th at 1:30 – 3:00pm (on Zoom; focused on curricular proposals)
  • Thursday, May 2nd at 1:30 – 3:00pm (if needed)

Council Roster

Karen Paisley
Chair Undergraduate Studies/Parks, Recreation & Tourism
Cheryl Armstrong
Member Nursing
Pete Lippert
Member Geology & Geophysics
Kevin Wortman
Member Mathematics
Connor Warner
Member Urban Institute for Teacher Education
Adrienne Cachelin
Member Environmental & Sustainability Studies
Melissa Zahl
Member Occupational/Recreational Therapy
Lazarus Adua
Member Sociology
Steven Chodoriwsky
Member Architecture + Planning
Talia Dajes
Member World Languages & Cultures
Stephanie Bank
Member Social Work
Marc Calaf
Member Mechanical Engineering
Rachel Hayes-Harb
Member Honors
Jon Stone
Member Humanities
Donn Schaefer
Member Music
Edmund Fong
Member Cultural & Social Transformation
Marnie Powers-Torrey
Member Marriott Library
Lyda Bigelow
Member Entrepreneurship and Strategy
Jordan Gerton
Member Science
Merilee Anderson
Ex officio Continuing Education & Community Engagement
Chase Hagood
Ex officio UGS
Erin Mason
Ex officio Registrar's/Student Affairs
Liz Leckie
Ex officio Academic Advising Standards Council
Rebecca Noonan-Heale
Ex officio UOnline
Helene Shugart
Ex officio Graduate School
Mark St. Andre Ex officio Undergraduate Studies/Office of Learning Outcomes Assessment
Robyn Moreno
Staff Undergraduate Studies
Aynaelyssa Thomas
Student ASUU
Austin Neff
Student ASUU
Dillan Burnett
Student ASUU
Last Updated: 8/30/23