Regents consider a retreat to calm tensions on the board

Jennifer Knight

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003 | 9:24 a.m.

Three new university regents are hoping that a proposed two-day retreat would help heal lingering tensions, but finances and personality differences could get in the way of that plan.

A proposal to have all 13 members of the state Board of Regents go away for a weekend will be discussed Thursday when the regents meet.

Newly elected regents Stavros Anthony, Jack Lund Schofield and Bret Whipple placed the item on the agenda to "promote personal relationships between" board members.

"It's a good way to build relationships and build trust," Anthony said. "And when you build trust, you make better decisions as a board."

The board, which oversees the University and Community College System, has been plagued by a series of recent controversies marked by name-calling among members. As a result, collegiality on the board has deteriorated, regents and observers say.

Regent Steve Sisolak said that although the idea of a retreat is fine, he is concerned about the cost of such an outing. He pointed out that other state employees do not get such luxuries.

"Does the custodian cleaning the hallway get to go on retreat to get to know his co-workers better?" Sisolak said. "Do the Culinary Union workers get a retreat to become better acquainted with one another? I don't think so."

Regent Mark Alden also questioned the cost of the retreat in light of expected cutbacks in the state budget.

"I think it's a great idea, but it gets down to cost," Alden said. "But I sure as heck don't want to stymie discussion."

No estimates of the cost of a retreat were immediately available, and no site has been proposed.

Anthony said the benefits of the getaway would outweigh any drawbacks.

"You have to remember, we don't get paid," Anthony said. "We're talking about money for a hotel room and food. I think the costs are minimal compared to the potential outcome."

Regent Howard Rosenberg said he supports the proposal.

"I love it," Rosenberg said. "For a new regent coming on the board, seeing this kind of tension going on the board, I can see how they would want to do something."

Rosenberg could face a contentious meeting this week because Regent Doug Hill wants the board to ask the attorney general to issue an opinion on whether Rosenberg's position as a board member is compromised by his job as an art professor at the University of Nevada, Reno.

"There are no tensions," Rosenberg said. "I would just say there is a strong disagreement."

The Board of Regents will hold its meeting Thursday and Friday at the Community College of Southern Nevada's West Charleston campus.