Editorial: Close the funding gaps

Tuesday, June 6, 2006 | 7:14 a.m.

For more than a decade the Community College of Southern Nevada has received substantially less money than the state's other three community colleges. And UNLV has its own funding gap when compared to other research universities its size around the country.

Our position has been consistent over the years - the Legislature should close the funding gaps. This is an urgent need, particularly in the case of CCSN, whose state funding last year fell short by $3,438 per student. Richard Carpenter, president of CCSN, was appalled at the size of the gap when he arrived on campus in summer 2004. "We can't be silent about this," he said in a speech to faculty and staff.

Fortunately, there is a chance now that the gap will at least be partially addressed. The Board of Regents is considering adopting Carpenter's attitude. There is support among its members for seeking annual increases from the 2007 Legislature - $10 million for CCSN and $6 million for UNLV.

The university is underfunded by between $700 and $1,300 per student. Even if the regents decide to request the increases, neither funding gap would be filled. In fact, the university and community college would each need twice the proposed amount to reach equilibrium. But a problem that has been accelerating for 10 years, mostly because the enrollment projections by the college and university have consistently fallen short because of Southern Nevada's nonstop growth, understandably cannot be corrected overnight.

UNLV cannot compete nationally for federal research grants without more state help. And CCSN cannot keep falling behind in its responsibilities - right now, its 27 academic advisers serve nearly 1,300 students apiece. The Board of Regents should follow through and seek the annual increases from the Legislature.