Friday, Aug. 3, 2001 | 10:51 a.m.
Nevada State College at Henderson President Richard Moore says that, despite a limited budget, he has a plan to open the startup school.
Whether his plan comes to fruition depends on several factors, including gaining the use of classrooms at the Community College of Southern Nevada, as well as the school's registration facilities and faculty members.
"To start with, there are three understandings that we are exploring," said Moore. "I think they will all happen."
CCSN has made no commitment to Moore, however.
Mike Meyer, who recently served as interim president at CCSN, said the deal is not as far along as Moore would have people believe.
"We don't know how many classrooms he needs. We don't know anything yet," Meyer said. "I'm just waiting for Dr. Moore to call me up so we can start this dialogue."
Ron Remington, CCSN's newly appointed president, could not be reached for for comment Thursday or today.
The idea to join forces with CCSN came after the Legislature decided not to provide startup funding for the state college.
The Board of Regents is expected to discuss Moore's plan during the board's regularly scheduled meeting Aug. 16 and 17 in Reno.
The board also has asked Moore to provide results of his fund raising efforts.
Moore's most immediate goal is to raise $1 million to hire key staff and administration. His second priority is to raise $10 million for construction.
Neither goal has been reached.
Despite the shortfall, Moore says he has secured additional "in-kind" contributions, including products, services or other non-monetary items.
Moore said that aside from an old commitment from LandWell Corp. for $230,000 and a balance of $70,000 in the Nevada State College Foundation account, he has secured other help.
Kerr McGee will continue to allow the state college to use its land and utilities without charge. Moore said that donation alone is worth $200,000. The facility, which is a mobile office that sits along Lake Mead Drive in Henderson.
Other companies will print the college's brochures and other material at no cost, Moore said.
He also said the state Public Works Board has agreed to help pay for the architect during the planning phases of the college, Moore said.
Public Works Manager Dan O'Brien could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Show us the money, says one regent.
"This is creative accounting," said Steve Sisolak. "We had an agreement for him to raise $1 million, not in in-kind contributions. I want to know how many checks does he have made out to the Nevada State College at Henderson, not how much money in cranberry juice are you counting toward donations."
On Thursday Chancellor Jane Nichols said regents will consider an option to allow the college to borrow about $700,000 from the estate tax to start hiring faculty in the fall to begin classes next year.
"Fund-raising is getting resources, not dollars, together to do something," Moore said.
Board Chair Thalia Dondero said she is aware of several of Moore's plans and is willing to allow him to go forward "as long as it is all well planned."
Moore is working alone after vice president of administration Orlando Sandoval stepped down in June, citing a lack of funding for his position.
Moore says he is busy hammering out the course curriculum by reaching out to health industry leaders in an effort to explore how to fast-track the state college's nursing program.
The state college also plans to draw junior and senior level teaching majors into its program. Those students would likely come from UNLV's teaching program as well as four other private colleges in the area, Moore said.
Leaching from other institutions was a concern of the accreditation board that is handling the state college, but Moore said students could come from anywhere, not just local institutions.
Moore's annual salary is $175,000, and he receives $17,000 in benefits and allowances.
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