Section 21-17-119 - Authority to offer course in dentistry through contracts with other institutions; contracts with students; repayment of funds expended; deposit of repayments(a) In addition to other powers granted to the trustees of the University of Wyoming, the board may offer and provide at other institutions, universities or colleges, a course of training and education in the field of dentistry.(b) To accomplish the purposes of this section, the board of trustees may enter into contracts with other institutions, universities or colleges outside the state that maintain schools for the training and education of students in dentistry and to expend funds appropriated for this purpose in connection therewith.(c) In entering into contracts with institutions, the board of trustees shall give preference to institutions that agree to provide students with a training rotation or externship in Wyoming.(d) Students desiring to avail themselves of the opportunities under this section, before enrolling for such courses and having completed the admissions process into the dental education program at a school of dentistry with which the university has an agreement under subsection (a) of this section, must be approved by the president of the university acting with the advice of the state board of dentistry. 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.(e) 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 cost of attendance incurred in his dentistry education as determined by any contract between the state of Wyoming and the school of dentistry providing that education: and (A) Actively engage in professional practice or other professional pursuits in dentistry in Wyoming for a period of three (3) years; or(B) Repay all amounts expended by the state of Wyoming under this paragraph on the student's education, together with interest which shall begin accruing after the student's graduation, but in no event later than five (5) 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 However, interest shall begin to accrue if the board finds that the student has withdrawn from the school of dentistry or is otherwise not making satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree or program. Money expended under this paragraph shall accrue interest at an annual 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%).(ii) During the time required to practice under subparagraph (i)(A) of this subsection, treat under terms and conditions specified in the agreement Wyoming patients eligible for services under the Wyoming Medical Assistance and Services Act or the child and parent health insurance program pursuant to Wyoming Statutes title 35, chapter 25. All contract provisions established under this paragraph shall be developed in consultation with the state board of dentistry and the department of health.(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) Any amounts other than fees and tuition payments, paid by dentistry students in accordance with the contractual arrangements authorized under this section shall be deposited into a special account designated the Dentistry School Student Account, maintained and separately accounted for by the University of Wyoming, which account may be added to by specific contributions from other sources. The account may be invested, at the discretion of the president of the University of Wyoming, 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 dental board examinations, rural training, dislocation, student development and scholarships to dentistry 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 account, 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.(h) Tuition and fees received by the University of Wyoming from students participating in the 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 and other graduate courses in the college of health sciences. 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.