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Show College presidents support Prop. 3 respondents are uncertain how they will vote on the issue. Proposition 3 has three main thrusts. First, it establishes systems of public and higher education. Second, it guarantees a free education to all public school students, while allowing the Legislature to authorize fees in secondary schools. Finally, it prohibits direct state aid to religious schools. "If Proposition 3 is not approved by voters, the Utah Constitution Consti-tution will continue to contain provisions that have been obsolete obso-lete for decades," said Chase N. Peterson, president of University Univer-sity of Utah. "The University of Utah has been part of the System of Higher Education since the system was established in ' 1969, yet archaic language in the present constitution says the U of U is governed by the public school system." The present Constitution also erroneously identifies Utah State University as "an agricultural college" and assigns its governance to the State Board of Education, said USU President Presi-dent Stanford Cazier. "We must seek passage of Proposition 3 so the Constitution will accurately reflect the changes that have been made in higher education since the Constitution was written at statehood," President Cazier said. The presidents of Utah's nine public colleges and universities and the state commissioner of higher education held a special meeting at the Capitol Thursday to endorse Proposition 3. The nine presidents and commissioner have never before taken a formal position on a ballot issue, but they abandoned tradition to unanimously endorse the proposed constitutional revision. Utah citizens interested in educational efficiency should vote yes on Proposition 3, according to a resolution approved by the presidents and commissioner. Proposition 3, if approved by voters in the November 4 general gener-al election, would amend the Utah Constitution to update and clarify the governance of education. The System of Higher Education, which now exists only by statute, would be constitutionally constitu-tionally established. The proposition would also guarantee that the public education system remain free and prohibit direct state aid to religious schools. "The thrust of Proposition 3 is so simple and sensible that it is bound to win the support of voters, if only they are acquainted with it," said Rolfe Kerr, Utah commissioner of higher educa-, tion and chairman of the Council of Presidents. "Proposition 3 essentially puts current educational practice into the Constitution, Constitu-tion, but leaves legislators flexibility to deal with future issues." Proposition 3 is endorsed by the governor and two former governors, the State Board of Education, the Society of Superintendents, Super-intendents, the Board of Regents, the PTA and other government govern-ment boards and civic groups. It also has the backing of a Citizens Committee for Proposition 3, which includes such prominent Utahns at T.H. Bell, former U.S. Secretary of Education, Edu-cation, and Rodney H. Brady, president of Bonneville International. Interna-tional. However, Commissioner Kerr and the nine presidents are concerned that Utahns haven't gotten enough information ab- out Proposition 3. Recent opinion polls show a large number of |
