Editorial: Education is now a hot topic

Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2005 | 8:16 a.m.

Chancellor Jim Rogers has many ideas for improving the Nevada System of Higher Education and we are glad they are drawing attention. His energetic proposals, such as bringing a more corporate style of management to education, are apt to be controversial. But public dialogue on education is beneficial, especially in this state where too many students are testing at average and below-average levels.

As chancellor, Rogers heads the system's two universities, four community colleges, Nevada State College and Desert Research Institute. For years now, in accordance with a national trend, state funding has not been increasing enough to alone allow for any sudden leaps forward. How, then, does the system improve itself rapidly, rather than over a long period of time?

For Rogers, one answer is attracting more donations from the private sector. Large and sustained infusions of private money, he reasons, would attract acclaimed faculty members. This would increase the system's reputation and draw more outstanding students. With more renowned faculty, Rogers believes the universities within five years could double the non-state funds they receive for research.

Rogers would also promise results for any new and increased state and private funding. He would change admission standards for the two universities, so that only the "best and brightest" high school graduates are enrolled.

Criticism is not lacking. Craig Walton, a former UNLV professor and now the president of the Nevada Center for Public Ethics, is concerned that professors would "pursue the areas where there is money to be found rather than what needs to be studied." And we are concerned that a "best and brightest" approach might overlook the student, who, at age 17 or 18, simply hasn't yet hit full stride academically and who might thrive once in the more independent university environment.

However much criticism is generated, Rogers is owed credit for putting the spotlight on higher education, which is often overshadowed in Nevada by the attention paid to K-12 schools. A true community dialogue on higher education is long overdue.