Lawmakers urge regents to kill state college

Jennifer Knight

Monday, March 4, 2002 | 10:57 a.m.

Following college President Richard Moore's resignation, three state legislators are publicly urging the university system Board of Regents to kill the Nevada State College at Henderson before the taxpayers spend any more money.

With the college six months away from opening -- and only 40 students signed up and no full-time faculty, Moore's resignation has left the college vulnerable to criticism over its management and progress so far. The Board of Regents, split on the college's future, is set to discuss naming an interim president along with several other issues concerning the college this week at their meeting in Reno.

"I believe the regents have an opportunity to get out of this gracefully and save the taxpayers money," Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, said. "They can put the funding into our community colleges, which will help them expand their coursework in areas of teaching and nursing. It's not often that you get a second chance in politics. I hope they'll act prudently."

State Sens. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, and Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, joined Giunchigliani in their criticism of the college.

The state has already poured more than $500,000 into the college for salaries and a Legislative study. In June, it will receive $3.7 million in operation money from the state. Another $13.4 million is earmarked for construction money, assuming that $10 million in matching money is raised from the private sector.

"Why stop now?" Regent Dorothy Gallagher asked. "All the academic plans are done. The nursing programs are in place. Nobody has come up with any good reason why we should delay it."

University system Chancellor Jane Nichols has been on the phone all week searching for replacements but wouldn't comment on her progress.

Three likely candidates have turned down the position or are leaning that way. Bill Martin, Nevada State Bank CEO and chairman, declined due to business obligations. Former U.S. Sen. Richard Bryan turned an offer down for similar reasons and former Gov. Bob Miller is 90 percent "no," said one university official.

Even if an interim president is named, critics say there isn't enough proof that the college will be ready by the Sept. 3 opening, with only one administrator hired and college fund-raising far from being near what it will take to complete the permanent facility.

"What worries me is that nothing that seems to present itself as a possible problem has caused (the regents) to reconsider," Titus said. "It's like Yucca Mountain, everything that presents itself as an obstacle seems to be something to try to overcome. I'm amazed at everything that has happened so far."

Regent Steve Sisolak, who has been a critic of the college, said it's unlikely that regents will discuss whether to delay or kill the project because that issue has been left off their agenda.

"I am concerned that this is going to push forward at all costs," Sisolak said. "I don't think this project is standing on the merits of the college but on a political pressure."

Regents will consider a tuition increase for the yet-to-be opened state college.

But Coffin, who sits on the Senate Finance Committee, warned that because funding is tight, other institutions in the state will likely be hurt.

"I think whatever we do, we're going to have to subtract money from the rest of the university budget to fund Nevada State College," Coffin said. "I'm not going to remove money from mental health or prisons to pay for it."