Whipple comes out on top in contentious board election

Monday, June 27, 2005 | 8:50 a.m.

RENO -- University system Regent Bret Whipple easily came out on top Friday in what many inside higher education feared would be a contentious election for the chairman and vice chairman positions on the Board of Regents.

So contentious, in fact, that system Chancellor Jim Rogers sent out a memo to regents earlier this month warning them to be nice to each other in the annual battle for leadership of the board.

Both Whipple and Regent Linda Howard, both Las Vegas regents, were nominated for the chair position, but regents voted first on Whipple's nomination without any discussion.

Regents voted 8-4 in favor of Whipple, with regents Howard, Steve Sisolak, Mark Alden and Howard Rosenberg dissenting. Regent Doug Hill was in Italy and Regent Thalia Dondero called in her vote for Whipple from her granddaughter's wedding out-of-state.

Howard was also nominated to be vice chairwoman by Sisolak, but regents then voted unanimously for Elko Regent Dorothy Gallagher.

Both Whipple and Gallagher thanked the board for its support, and Whipple told Howard he looked forward to working closely with her as board chairman.

Howard declined to comment.

The chairman sets the agenda for the Board of Regents' meetings and also decides who sits on what committee.

Whipple is also pursuing the opportunity to take over for Attorney General Brian Sandoval if and when Sandoval is confirmed as a federal judge. Whipple would have to resign from the Board of Regents if appointed to be attorney general by Gov. Kenny Guinn.