Editorial: Meddling claims stir a reaction

Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000 | 9:53 a.m.

It's not too startling that UNLV President Carol Harter is being courted by the University of South Florida: She is one of seven semifinalists in the running to be the next president of the university located in Tampa. In her five years at UNLV, Harter has done a credible job at improving the academic quality of the institution and also has increased the university's endowment, making her attractive to other universities.

But some members of the Nevada Board of Regents, which oversees this state's university system, were stung by Harter's apparent criticism of their behavior. Harter reportedly told University of South Florida recruiters that the Nevada Board of Regents micromanages and requires high maintenance. Harter also told the interviewers that the board forced former Chancellor Richard Jarvis out of office last year.

Regent Mark Alden believes, as an elected official, he answers to his constituents, which might not sit well with a university president. "If it's difficult for presidents to adjust to the Nevada style board of governance, which might include micromanaging in some people's eyes, maybe it's time to find an environment they're more comfortable with," he told the Sun's Adrienne Packer.

While Nevada is just one of five states with an elected board overseeing the university system, it is a healthy way of doing business, ensuring some measure of accountability to the public, which funds these public institutions. Still, Harter's comments shouldn't be dismissed. The fact is that the board has meddled unnecessarily in the past. And Jarvis, the former chancellor for the University and Community College System of Nevada, did get caught unfairly in a Board of Regents' squabble over regional, fair-share funding issues for the university system.

The board certainly has a role to play in establishing some policy guidelines, but it also has a responsibility to let these professionals carry out the day-to-day tasks of running a university without constant interference. Otherwise it will be difficult to find quality educators to run these institutions of higher learning. Harter's remarks might make some regents feel uneasy, but it's time to start a dialogue as to whether the current level of involvement by some members of the board is becoming counterproductive.