The Utah State University task force appointed to study what strategies the university can implement to deal with the recent decision of the LDS Church to lower the minimum age for missions has convened. The chairman of the group said its members are “optimistic” about solutions but “still trying to understand the impact” the decision could have on USU.
James Morales, vice president for student services at USU, made the remarks Friday, saying the 18-member task force — made up of college deans, officials from admissions, housing and enrollment, as well as liaisons from the LDS Church, has met weekly since mid-October — which is when the LDS Church announced that men may now begin serving at age 18 and women at age 19. The previous age for beginning missionary service was 19 for men and 21 for women.