Panel to study college system

Friday, Dec. 19, 2003 | 11:06 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- In the wake of the turmoil in the university and community college system, a legislative committee will be created to examine the hiring, firing and demotion policies of the system.

Sen. Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, chairman of the Legislative Commission, said he would name the investigating committee next month to be headed by Sen. Warren Hardy, R-Las Vegas.

"A lot of people are scratching their heads about what's going on," Townsend said Thursday.

Ron Remington, president of the Community College of Southern Nevada, and his adviser and lobbyist John Cummings were demoted by regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada. Regents also voted to begin the process of removing Cummings' tenure so he could be fired.

The committee, which will have subpoena power, also may look into the hiring of Topazia "Briget" Jones, who worked as a "special assistant" for Assemblyman Wendell Williams, D-Las Vegas, at the 2003 Legislature.

Townsend said there were no reasons given for the demotion of Remington and Cummings. "What are they (the regents) trying to hide?" he said.

He said despite heavy media coverage the facts are not clear. His colleagues in the Legislature have a right to know, he said.

Townsend noted there is a separation of powers issue between the Legislature and the university. The regents, an elected board, make their own decisions.

But Townsend said the Legislature is still responsible for appropriating the money to fund the system.

"We make an investment in these people," referring to those employed by the system. "We have a right to review to find out if anything has gone awry."

He said the committee will look at the policies or lack of them in such areas hiring, firing, demotion and due process. The special committee will not look at the decisions but only the procedures surrounding the actions, Townsend said.

Remington and Cummings were not called in by the regents to explain any charges against them during the 17 hours of meetings.

Some regents say the two men were demoted because they bypassed policy by trying to get the Legislature to make CCSN a four-year college without the regents' approval.

Townsend said his new committee will include legislators who are on a study committee to evaluate higher education. In addition to Hardy, they are Sens. Terry Care, D-Las Vegas, and Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas, and Assemblymen Marcus Conklin, D-Las Vegas, Josh Griffin, R-Las Vegas, and John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas.

On the committee to evaluate higher education are regents and other university officials. Townsend said it would be a conflict of interest for them to serve on this new investigating body.

A number of complaints filed with Attorney General Brian Sandoval have alleged the closed meetings violated the law.

Sandoval has also been asked by the regents to look into allegations of bribery or corruption involving Cummings and Williams.

Walter Ayers, assistant counsel for UCCSN, said he was asked by the regents to request Sandoval to look into certain cases.

Ayers said a statement made by Cummings during the investigation accused Williams of coercion "designed to ensure the settlement of a lawsuit, his wife Zelda Williams had pending against the UCCSN."

The university settled the suit by Zelda Williams for $49,000 against the advice of their lawyer, Ayers said. He said Cummings indicated university system would have trouble getting legislation through the Assembly Education Committee of Williams, if the suit was not settled.