Carpenter named CCSN president

Friday, June 4, 2004 | 10:34 a.m.

ELKO -- With one dissenting vote, the regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada on Thursday approved the selection of Richard Carpenter as the new president of the Community College of Southern Nevada.

Carpenter, who takes over Aug. 1, will earn $190,000 a year and receive a $12,000 housing allowance, $8,000 for car maintenance and $5,000 for a host account.

Interim Chancellor Jim Rogers called Carpenter a "potential super star." He said he interviewed all four finalists and all were qualified to take the job.

Regent Howard Rosenberg of Reno was the only regent to vote against the selection, made at the regents' meeting at Great Basin College in Elko.

Rosenberg noted that a lawsuit is pending to reinstate former CCSN President Ron Remington. He questioned what would happen if Remington won his court battle and the school had, in effect, two presidents.

Remington earned $166,400 per year and was fired over allegations that he tried to convince the Legislature to turn the school into a four-year institution.

Regent Linda Howard asked what would happen if Remington succeeded in his suit. But university counsel Tom Ray said he did not want to discuss the suit in public.

Howard said since there could be no discussion, she would abstain from the vote.

Carpenter succeeds Interim President Paul C. Gianini, who was roundly praised for his work.

Rogers told the regents he will present a proposal in the next few months to increase the salaries of presidents. "We're way behind in paying the presidents," he said. "We need to get into the 21st century."

At the same time Carpenter is coming on board, Kerry Romesburg, president at Nevada State College in Henderson, is leaving to take a new job in Florida.

Regent Chairman Stavros Anthony said the system would move quickly to select an interim president and then start the search for a permanent replacement.