Section 21-17-109 - Course in field of professional health services; authority to offer; contracts with students; repayment of funds expended; deposit of repayments(a) In addition to other powers heretofore granted to the trustees of the University of Wyoming, the board may offer and provide, in whole or in part at the university or in whole or in part at other institutions, universities or colleges within or without the state, a course of training and education in the field of professional health services including and limited to medicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry or nursing.(b) To accomplish the purposes hereof and in order that degrees in such fields of professional health services may be awarded by the university the board of trustees may enter into contracts with other institutions, universities or colleges within or without the state that maintain schools for the training and education of students in professional health services and to expend its funds in connection therewith.(c) Students desiring to avail themselves of the opportunities under this section, before enrolling for such courses and having passed a competitive examination, must be approved by the president of the university acting with the advice of the respective state board in each particular field. No student shall be approved by the president unless the student or the student's father, mother or lawful guardian are residents of Wyoming and have been residents for not less than five (5) years immediately prior thereto.(d) In addition to the requirements of subsection (c) of this section, before expending any funds the board of trustees shall obtain an agreement from each student whereby the student agrees to:(i) Authorize the state of Wyoming to pay all or a portion of the cost of attendance incurred in his or her medical education as determined by any contract between the state of Wyoming and the school of medicine providing that education; and(ii) Actively engage in professional practice or other professional pursuits in Wyoming for not to exceed three (3) years as the board requires. The taking of a family practice residency program in the state shall be credited toward the practice requirements at the rate of one-third (1/3) year of practice for each year of service in a family practice residency program in the state; or(iii) Repay all amounts expended by the state of Wyoming under paragraph (i) of this subsection on the student's education, together with interest which shall begin accruing after the student's residency but in no event later than eight (8) years after the student enters into an agreement, upon terms specified by the board. However, interest shall begin to accrue if the board finds that the student has withdrawn from medical school or a residency program or is otherwise not making satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree or program. Money expended under this subsection shall accrue at an annual interest rate equal to that charged for federal Stafford loans at the time interest begins to accrue, which rate shall be adjusted annually to match the federal Stafford loan rate. In no event shall the interest rate be greater than eight percent (8%);(iv) Repealed By Laws 2011, Ch. 176, § 2.(e) Any amounts, other than fees and tuition payments, paid by medical students in accordance with the contractual arrangements authorized under this section shall be deposited into a special fund designated the Medical School Student Fund, maintained and separately accounted for by the University of Wyoming, which fund may be added to by specific contributions from other sources. The fund may be invested, at the discretion of the president of the University of Wyoming and the dean of the College of Health Sciences, for the production of income. The investment income shall be expended by the University of Wyoming solely for direct assistance for relocation costs associated with practice in Wyoming, fees and materials for medical board examinations, rural training, dislocation, student development and scholarships to medical students as authorized by the president of the University of Wyoming and the dean of the College of Health Sciences. The principal of the fund established shall remain unimpaired and only the income derived therefrom may be collected and expended from year to year. The amount of income expended annually pursuant to this section shall not exceed an amount equal to four percent (4%) of the previous five (5) year average market value of the fund, calculated from the first day of the fiscal year. Any unexpended income shall remain in the fund. On or before October 1 of each year, the university shall submit a report to the joint appropriations committee and the joint labor, health and social services interim committee on income to the fund and expenditures from fund earnings during the prior fiscal year.(f) Upon recommendation of the president of the university, the board of trustees may relieve a student of the obligation to repay amounts expended under paragraph (d)(i) of this section, in whole or in part, where repayment would cause undue hardship. The university shall annually report the number of students relieved from repayment under this subsection to the joint labor, health and social services interim committee not later than October 1.(g) Tuition and fees received by the University of Wyoming from students participating in the medical education program under this section, shall be separately accounted for by the university. These funds are to be used by the university solely for the support of education and training conducted at the university pursuant to this section. The receipt and expenditure of these funds shall be identified in the university's biennial budget request.Amended by Laws 2016 , ch. 59, § 1, eff. 7/1/2016.Amended by Laws 2011, ch. 176,§ 2, eff. 3/3/2011.Amended by Laws 2011, ch. 176,§ 1, eff. 3/3/2011.