By Kris Boyle
kris@newsroom.byu.edu
Sixteen years ago, Aaron Romney, a Ricks College student at the time, started his own business by opening a frozen yogurt shop.
Now, with Millhollow Frozen Yogurt flourishing, Romney can't help but wonder how the change of Ricks College to a four-year university will impact business.
After all, 40 percent of his customers are students.
'If it's headed in that direction, it's positive,' Romney said.
Romney said his business usually peaks at the beginning of fall and end of winter semesters, when the weather is warm and students are in town.
So, with a possibility of increased enrollment during the summer semesters, Romney said he hopes business will improve during the off-peak times.
However, Romney said he feels his business will only improve if the college adds to what they already have.
'I hope they don't take away what's already here,' he said.
Businesses aren't the only ones anxious about the change. City officials are welcoming it with open arms.
'We're all quite excited about it,' said Marilyn Hansen, Rexburg city clerk.
Hansen said they are confident Rexburg is ready and can handle the change to a four-year institution.
'It will impact our infrastructure, and we're ready for it,' she said.
Brent Kinghorn, Ricks College community services vice president, said he is equally confident the city is prepared for the change.
'The mayor has indicated excitement within this community with respect to the potential for growth here and also a willingness to plan for that,' he said.
One of the issues at hand is the housing situation.
Hansen said that since the announcement came, they have had a lot of inquiries about acquiring land for apartment complexes, many of those from out of state.
Kinghorn said there is currently some surplus housing, but of how much will be needed in the future has yet to be determined.
'It's kind of a wait and see what's going to happen and then if we need more, I think there are people out there who would be willing to invest and create more,' he said.
Kinghorn said there will be many benefits coming to the community due to the change.
One major benefit is the economic aspect.
'You bring more people in, they need more services. Those services create more services, and it becomes an all-important cycle in the business community,' he said.
But there are also concerns in the community, particularly dealing with athletics.
Romney said he was initially excited when he first heard the announcement.
But being a big supporter of Ricks College athletics and acquainted with some of the coaches, he said he was also disappointed.
'It's a fun thing for the community to be involved in,' Romney said.
Don Rydalch was a faculty member at Ricks College for 35 years. At one time he was the head football coach and head track coach. He also was the athletic director from 1995-97.
Rydalch said he hasn't lost any sleep over the announcement.
'I am in full support of the prophet,' he said.
Concerning the loss of athletics, Rydalch said things have a way of cycling around.
'I have a feeling that there will be a point in time where we'll find an intercollegiate program at Brigham Young University-Idaho,' he said.
Then there's the name change.
Mark Ricks, the great-grandson of Thomas E. Ricks, whom the school is named after, said it has been an honor to have the school named after his ancestor.
'We've been proud of it and how the students have referred to the spirit of Ricks,' he said.
Concerning the name change, Ricks said he uses D&C 1:38, '... whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same,' as his philosophy.
'The prophet has spoken, so the discussion is over,' he said.