Regents vote 12-1 to go on a retreat

Jennifer Knight

Friday, Jan. 31, 2003 | 10:08 a.m.

The Board of Regents voted 12-1 in favor of going on a retreat to try to build a more effective team.

For the regents, meeting Thursday and today at the Community College of Southern Nevada, teamwork appeared to be the theme of the day.

Board Chairman Doug Seastrand began his presentation with a long story about how geese work as a team, and he used that as an analogy to describe how the regents should work together.

"I hope we can beat our wings to be the strength, to make (our chancellor) the point," Seastrand said.

That discussion was followed by plans to take a two-day retreat to learn more about each another and learn how to work together more effectively. The board has drawn criticism in recent months for their lack of collegiality and professionalism.

"If I'm going to interact with you for the next four years, I need to know who you are and what's behind some of the decisions you make," said Regent Stavros Anthony, who was one of the regents who put the idea forward.

The possible cost of the meeting concerned several board members, including Steve Sisolak, who caste the one dissenting vote.

"There is a fiscal note related to this," Sisolak said. "We're facing no money, closing class lines and capped classes. However, the public is going to perceive this as a two-day vacation for 13 members of this board."

Several board members offered to pay their own way, and Regent Bret Whipple even offered to spring for the cost of the entire trip.