Regents briefs for January 22, 2001

Monday, Jan. 22, 2001 | 10:53 a.m.

Board to seek more members

The state Board of Regents unanimously voted Thursday to add between one to three more representatives to their board, pending the outcome of the 2000 Census report.

The move would effectively shift the power base of the board even farther to the south, since regent positions are assigned to an area based on population.

Given the rapid growth of Las Vegas, there will be more representation in Southern Nevada than there has been in the past, which could increase services.

"When it comes to redistricting, there's going to be a lot of horse trading," Regent Thalia Dondero said. "I've been through three of these things, and that's just the way it is."

The number will be submitted to the state Legislature for advisement after the census report comes out.

Regulations sought to prevent abuses

The regents voted Friday to support a legislative initiative that would regulate the activity of unregulated sports agents or boosters.

UNLV was slapped with a series of NCAA rule violations last year after it was alleged that a Las Vegas dentist donated more than $4,000 in cash and inducements to a basketball player.

The university claims that the booster donated money without their knowledge, but they still suffered several penalties because of it. While Nevada law regulates the activities of sports agents, it does not regulate their conduct.

Future of system to be shaped

A fast-paced 10-month schedule to get Nevada's higher education system on track was enacted by the Board of Regents on Friday.

The board voted unanimously to begin shaping a long-range plan for the future success of the university and community college systems.

"This will be something for us all to look back on," Regent Doug Seastrand said. "This is an opportunity for us to see how higher education is going to work. We've existed under the current format for the last 120 years, and I hope to craft something that will last us for the next 20."

The objectives will be identified by a Rand Corp. study over the next 10 months. A preliminary draft of the study that was released two weeks ago identified the need for the university system to concentrate more on graduate and research while still offering better need-based funding for undergraduate students.

Cost estimates for the plan would be up to $2 billion over 10 years, an amount that could be less depending on which recommended programs the board decides to implement.