Regents warn: College is not a done deal

Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2000 | 11 a.m.

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A forum to gather public comment on the proposed state college in Henderson turned into a soapbox for university regents, as they warned that it is not a sure thing that the facility will be funded and built.

"It is absolutely not a done deal," Regent Mark Alden told a gathering of about 40 people Monday at UNLV at the first of eight such statewide public forums this month.

"If on June 30, 2001, the Legislature does not come up with the money, it will be just an empty space," Alden said.

Richard Moore, the former president of the Community College of Southern Nevada who late last year was appointed founding president of the state college, said he believes lawmakers will come through with the money.

"In my heart, I believe the Legislature will find the money for worthy projects," he said. "For five years I saw increases in my budgets" at the community college, even though he was told legislators would not fund higher education, Moore said.

But Regent Steve Sisolak noted there may not be enough money to go around. "I'm not convinced we can find it," Sisolak said. "I agree with Dr. Moore that you have to have a vision, but I temper that with a dose of reality."

Higher education currently accounts for 19 percent of the state's budget.

Alden said that untapped sources of money should be considered, noting that Nevada is one of the last -- or maybe even the last -- state in which higher education does not get city and county money.

More than $50 million in private donations may have to be raised to start the school.

Last December the regents approved the creation of a four-year state college in Henderson despite concerns that money would be siphoned off from other schools.

The city of Henderson is looking at several sites of 200 to 300 acres to donate for the new college. The cost of educating a student at the Henderson college would be $7,500 a year compared with $15,000 at UNLV, college supporters say.

Regent Howard Rosenberg said he suspects the state college will financially hurt the state's existing two universities and four community colleges.

But Rosenberg, a professor at University of Nevada, Reno, for 35 years, said his initial opposition to the state college was softened by his overcrowded classrooms.

"My classes are jammed to the rafters," he saidFred Kirschner, a retired UNLV professor of education, said he believes the money will be found to build the Henderson state college, but warned: "Don't make the same mistake we (UNLV) did. Make sure you have an architectural theme."