$21 million more sought in higher education budget

Jennifer Knight

Friday, April 11, 2003 | 9:25 a.m.

Nevada's bill for higher education just went up by nearly $21 million -- but the state Senate's leader is challenging the university system to find a "creative" way to pay for it.

The University and Community College System of Nevada announced during a joint legislative committee on higher education Thursday it will need to add $20.9 million to its $1.28 billion budget request because of enrollment growth.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, pointed out that the university system is already asking the Legislature to approve 86 percent of its budget, which is a higher level of funding than it received in 2001.

"They have come up with creative ways to handle other things, so I'm sure they can come up with a creative way to fund this." Raggio said.

Chancellor Jane Nichols said the budget increase is a result of an 8.2 percent increase in enrollment throughout the state. Of the $20.9 million, student fees will pay for $7.7 million with the rest coming from the state's general fund.

"Let's assume the worst -- that we don't have the revenue to increase this beyond 86 percent of the formula," Raggio said. "Can you give us some suggestions as to how we might do that?"

Nichols was unwavering in her pitch for the university system's request.

After the meeting she posed two possible outcomes affecting programs, depending on how the Legislature acts:

Assemblywoman Dawn Gibbons, R-Reno, wanted assurance from Nichols that if UCCSN got its requested budget, students would be able to get the classes they need.

"At 86 percent, we can put together the classes that students need," Nichols said. "And we can provide the services that your constituents demand."

The budget still has several steps to go through before it is finalized. Nichols and others predict the budget will be completed next month.01