FAQs

What is the Oquirrh Institute?
The Oquirrh Institute was formed in Salt Lake City, Utah, the rise of the Great Basin, with a mission to shine early light on emerging public policy dilemmas and to create innovative solutions. Founders of the Institute represent corporate, government, and educational organizations from throughout the United States who share the belief that prosperity in the 21st century will require public policy to adapt as rapidly as technology changes our world. The Institute has adopted the credo that there are three ways for societies to deal with change: fight it and die; accept it and survive; or lead it and prosper.

What does the word Oquirrh mean and how is it pronounced?
"Oquirrh" is the name of the mountain range which lies to the west of Salt Lake City. As the sun rises over the Salt Lake Valley, brilliant "early light" reflects off the Oquirrh Mountains. The concept describes well the Institute's mission of shining early light on emerging public policy dilemmas and then establishing innovative solutions to those problems.

Pronunciation: (O . ker)

When was the Institute established?
The Oquirrh Institute was established in Salt Lake City during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

What does the Oquirrh Institute actually do?
Organized as a public policy, solutions-oriented think tank, the Oquirrh Institute finds solutions to emerging issues facing the world today.

What are the Institute's primary areas of focus?
The Oquirrh Institute is currently involved in four areas of concentration:

• Moving to Competency-Measured Education
• Improving Environmental Management
• Advancing Health Information and Research
• Enhancing Governance Through Technology

How is the Oquirrh Institute governed?
The Oquirrh Institute is governed by a Board of Trustees who have comprehensive vision of contemporary issues and understand the scope of information regarding the social repercussions of technology development. The trustees are respected and distinguished industry, academic, and government leaders who bring focus and shape to the Institute's direction.

Where does funding for the Institute come from?
As a nonprofit 501(c)(3), contributions come from public and private sources including foundations, corporations and individuals, as well as competitive federal grants. Click here for donor list.

What is the Governors Board?
Founded in 2004, the Oquirrh Institute Governors Board is a growing group of former governors from around the nation who advise the Institute on public policy questions and participate in Oquirrh Institute meetings and forums. The Institute is looking to this bipartisan and well-seasoned group as a powerful resource in refining existing projects and generating new ideas, as well as helping the Institute navigate through sometimes-rocky channels to find and implement viable solutions for the challenges currently facing our nation.

What is the Oquirrh Club and who can join?
The Oquirrh Club consists of a group of national opinion leaders who support the Institute financially and intellectually. Club members are nominated for five-year terms by the Board of Trustees. The Club meets twice annually where members are provided early light on important public policy issues while in a unique recreational setting. For information on club membership, contact oquirrh@oquirrhinstitute.org.