At least in some sports. Similar local LDS experience, no honor code office, up and coming university (biggest university in the state, biggest business school in the state). There are no inidcators of a football program any time soon, so no competition with BYU there.

I am honestly surprised at the contempt I see for UVU here. Most people fail to realize that The University Of Utah’s biggest competition when it comes to funding and consideration from the state is UVU.

As a UVU alumni, I am always baffled by that contempt. UVU has even sponsored tailgate parties for BYU football (San Jose State a few years back). I can tell you that UVU does not consider itself itself competition so much as complementary to BYU. BYU is a nationally and internationally focused university, whereas UVU has a well defined mission focused on local kids.

Yes, there are elements of competition, but I see that as a healthy, albeit small, rivalry. Very good natured. Not toxic like BYU’s rivalry with Utah has become.

I guess what I am saying is that UVU has a lot to offer. More than most people know. Many would be surprised by the ever growing number of accolades that the university is compiling. The university has major appeal. Those who disagree are, in my opinion, allowing outdated information to cloud their judgement. I see great opportunities for a symbiotic and healthy relationship with BYU, which is where I would rather see the school move towards.

The be clear, my fear is that it will go in a different direction very quickly (North), if UVU continues to be treated like the community college it no longer is. For those who don’t know, UVU’s educational model is now being touted as the future of higher education, and the recently reassigned President Holland (now a mission president), has traveled all over the world (British parliament, Oxford, etc.) educating about what UVU has accomplished.