Regents disagree over keeping university jobs

Jennifer Knight

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2002 | 11:06 a.m.

Newly elected Regent Stavros Anthony stepped down Tuesday from his part-time job as a UNLV instructor to avoid any conflict of interest with his new post overseeing the state's universities and colleges.

Anthony works full time as a Metro Police captain and has taught political science and criminal justice classes for 15 years on his off time at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

"I really struggled with it because I really enjoyed teaching," Anthony said. "I just don't believe full-time employees at the (university system) should be on the Board of Regents."

Anthony will be seated on the 13-member board in January, oversee a $1.2 billion budget and set policy for the eight institutions the board governs, UNLV.

His decision stands in contrast to Regent Howard Rosenberg, who has been a regent for six years while working as an art professor at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Asked his opinion of his colleague's dual role, Anthony said, "Actually, I do think it's wrong."

Rosenberg has always been steadfast in his position that his job does not affect his role as regent.

"I think it's a shame for the students to lose someone who is obviously leaving because he thinks it's a conflict of interest," Rosenberg said. "I don't understand why he feels that way. I have served on the board for six years and I don't feel there is any conflict of interest."

Craig Walton, a UNLV ethics professor agreed with Rosenberg.

"Knowing something about higher education should not automatically disqualify you from being a regent," Walton said. "Some people have no problem with a wealthy business owner taking a higher political office, but to have a working person do so is a real problem."