Regents to mull connection between new college, UNLV

Jeffrey Libby

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2000 | 11:04 a.m.

The controversial alignment between the proposed state college at Henderson and University of Nevada, Reno, has been reopened for discussion.

Regent Thalia Dondero said Tuesday that "it wouldn't hurt" to have a subcommittee of the University Board of Regents study the potential advantages of an alliance between the proposed state college and UNLV. Her remarks came during a discussion with host Mark Shaffer on "POV Vegas," the Sun's news discussion show which airs on Cox Channels 1 and 39.

Dondero said she would put the issue on the regents' November agenda.

But Chancellor Jane Nichols early this morning said that founding college presidents normally choose the institution they want to align with for accreditation.

"The primary issue is that Dr. (Richard) Moore is the founding president of the institution and it was his request," Nichols said.

Moore contracted with UNR in late June despite an offer of resources from UNLV President Carol Harter. Many felt Moore had snubbed the logical choice by looking north to Reno rather than across the Las Vegas Valley.

For the Board of Education to recognize graduates from a new school, that school must align itself with an accredited school.

Moore said this morning that he wants to get past the rhetoric of accreditation and get started on the work of establishing the state college. In conversations with Nichols, which he said took place as long as a month ago, Moore has discussed setting up a task force with representatives from the two universities and the Community College of Southern Nevada.

Moore has also contracted with national educators to provide input on directions the state college should take. The salaries of those consultants will be paid out of funds raised by the Nevada State College Foundation, he said.

Regent Steve Sisolak also supports getting beyond the rhetoric and the politics of regionalism that have marked discussion of the state college.

"This is not a discussion about Richard Moore, or him as the former administrator of CCSN. This issue is bigger than the regents or the presidents. I mean, we're talking about the students, and the needs of Clark County and the community and statewide. That's what the state college is here to address," Sisolak said. "We need to take the politics out of the education process."

Regents approved $36 million for construction of initial buildings at the state college, but the public works board gave the project low priority in September. Construction may not begin until as late as 2003. But Sisolak said that setback, too, could possibly be avoided when appropriations go before the Legislature in February 2001.