CCSN interim president may be considered for permanent post

Monday, Aug. 14, 2000 | 10:49 a.m.

RENO -- Interim President Robert Silverman, who appears to have strong local support, finds out this week whether he will be included on the list of finalists for the permanent job of president of Community College of Southern Nevada.

Silverman didn't make the cut earlier this month by a committee of university regents who named six people to interview.

But Regent Doug Seastrand of North Las Vegas, chairman of the selection committee, said Friday he will decide in the next few days whether to hold another meeting to vote on Silverman's chance to interview for the job.

"I don't see a problem including Bob Silverman," Seastrand said. "But he didn't rise to the top" at the prior meeting of the selection committee.

The issue was debated Friday at a meeting of the regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada. Regent Steve Sisolak of Las Vegas said he has been deluged with faxes and telephone calls supporting Silverman.

Sisolak was a member of the selection committee but could not attend. "I'm not saying he deserves the job but he deserves an interview," he said.

Regent Dave Phillips of Las Vegas, a selection committee member who voted for Silverman, said it would be a "real tragedy" not to interview Silverman. "He is 100 percent valuable to the system. He has given great leadership. It does no harm to give him an interview."

Regent Tom Kirkpatrick of Las Vegas, who substituted on the committee for Sisolak, disagreed. He noted the selection group looked at the candidates objectively. "We should not undermine the decision of the committee," he said.

Silverman, who took over as interim president when Richard Moore was appointed president of the proposed state college in Henderson, also received support from CCSN faculty.

Seastrand said he wanted to talk to university attorneys and staff members before deciding whether to convene a special meeting. He wondered whether legal problems might arise if other semifinalists who were eliminated were not included in a reconsideration.

The selection committee intends to interview finalists Sept. 18 and Sept. 25 and will make its final recommendation Oct. 6. The full Board of Regents will make the selection at its meeting Oct. 19-20 in Fallon.