‘Drastic’ cuts announced at College of Southern Nevada

By Mary Manning

Monday, June 30, 2008 | 12:30 p.m.

College of Southern Nevada President Michael Richards announced "drastic" budget cuts both for the near term and the next biennium budget today.

While the college has already cut its budget 4.5 percent, Richards said they are looking for another 3 percent or more in cuts is to meet the budget that begins on Tuesday.

An additional cut of 14 percent is needed in each of the next two years for a total of $28 million, Richards said.

"These drastic cuts change CSN fundamentally and, perhaps, irrevocably," Richards said in a memo to faculty and staff sent today.

Beginning today, Richards said that 35 positions will change to fee-based accounts (which aren't paid for by the state), 58 vacant faculty and staff positions could be eliminated, the part-time instructor's budget will be reduced and operating budgets are under the financial knife. This will save $3.6 million, Richards said.

Richards said that the college's full-time student population will be reduced by nearly 2,100 students without any further cuts.

To meet the budget for the next biennium, Richards said the college plans to close the following learning centers on June 30, 2009: Boulder City, A.D. Guy, Downtown (Latin Chamber), Moapa, Lincoln County and Sahara West.

A hiring moratorium remains in effect and buy-outs or early retirements are also ongoing, he said.

"Unfortunately, these actions do not fully address the budget cuts," Richards said. While the college has flexibility in its budget process, the state's financial crisis may correct itself at some point, he said.