LOOKING IN ON: HIGHER EDUCATION

Sunday, March 4, 2007 | 7:31 a.m.

University system Chancellor Jim Rogers isn't the only employee speaking out in favor of seeing his 13 bosses appointed instead of elected.

Jane Nichols, vice chancellor of academic and student affairs and Rogers' predecessor as chancellor, also told state legislators she will testify in favor of a constitutional amendment to appoint regents.

"I think there is a reason why there are very few elected boards in this country," Nichols said. "I think if this was the best model, there would be a lot more examples."

Nichols said she has concerns about the board's size, the political nature of an elected board and the increasing costs to run for the office, which she believes may deter good candidates.

When she was chancellor between 2000 and 2004, she relayed to lawmakers that regents were opposed to making the board appointed. But no one ever asked her what her professional opinion was until Rogers, Nichols said.

Nichols resigned in May 2004 because of health problems that affected her hearing. Rogers brought her back on as vice chancellor in August 2005.

The amendment, requested by Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, would give the Legislature the authority to set the number and qualifications of regents and authorize the governor to appoint the board.

Regent Chairman Bret Whipple said he would be adding an action item on the March agenda for regents to take a stance on the proposed amendment. The regents will then direct Rogers and Nichols to relay only that stance to lawmakers.

For years rising steel and construction costs have eaten away at the anticipated size of Nevada State College's first liberal arts building at the Henderson campus.

The project has been delayed several times as officials have been forced to redesign the building to stay within their $17.5 million budget. The blueprint has shrunk from 100,000 to 42,000 square feet.

So President Fred Maryanski was pleasantly shocked to see construction bids come in nearly $4 million under budget.

The top three contractors all submitted bids between $13.4 million and $13.8 million, Maryanski said. The State Public Works Board is reviewing the bids before making a decision.

Maryanski said the college had expected continuing inflation, but construction prices leveled off.

"Unfortunately it is too late" to add some of the lost square footage back in, Maryanski said. "We can't just say, 'there is more money, make it bigger."

He is working with Public Works to see whether the extra money can go toward buying furniture, supplies and equipment for the building.

Maryanski hopes to break ground on the structure in April, with a summer 2008 opening.

The Community College of Southern Nevada will expand its slot technician program with a $300,000 pledge from the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers.

With annual $100,000 installments, the gift will help CCSN add instructors, revamp the curriculum and develop a textbook and online teaching materials, said Peg Pankowski, interim dean of Advanced and Applied Technologies.

With only one instructor on staff, the college currently offers three courses a semester to about 40 students.

The expansion is in response to the industry's need for more trained workers.

"Gaming depends on the college as a critical resource for continued training for employees working in this field," Keith Roether, slot operations manager at New York-New York, said.