Colleges planning help for students who have lost jobs

Monday, Oct. 22, 2001 | 8:32 a.m.

FALLON -- Students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the Community College of Southern Nevada who have lost their jobs due to the economic downturn will find there are a number of programs on the campuses to help them.

Chancellor Jane Nichols of the University and Community College System of Nevada said it is exploring a plan in which a displaced worker might pay for one class and get a second one free.

Nichols is working with unions, hotels and other businesses to help pick up the cost of the first course for the displaced student worker.

The student financial services also will provide help for students who have lost their jobs, she said.

Nichols also told the board of regents meeting Friday the long-distance education program geared toward high school youths is being expanded to enroll the unemployed.

There have been job fairs, training sessions and other activities on the campuses for those who lost their job due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

In addition, those students called to active duty in the military after Sept. 11 will have all course fees fully refunded exclusive of student insurance fees and other nonrefundable fees. Room and board payments will be refunded on a pro-rated basis.

Faculty members called to active duty will receive the difference in pay between their university salary and their military pay.

Nichols said the unemployment proposal will be instituted on a campus-by-campus basis, depending if they have the financial ability to cover these costs.