Regents vote to keep elected board

Saturday, March 17, 2007 | 6:52 a.m.

CARSON CITY - Facing legislation to change the elected university system Board of Regents to an appointed board, the regents took a somewhat shaky stand on the issue Friday.

Led by a rousing and humorous speech by Regent Howard Rosenberg about the power of the people, regents narrowly voted to stick to their historical view that the board should be elected. Seven regents voted in favor of the motion, three voted against, two abstained and one regent was absent.

Given the slim majority, regents never discussed how their decision should be construed to state lawmakers, or whether Nevada System of Higher Education employees should be allowed to give their own opinions on the issue.

Several regents, including Regent Chairman Bret Whipple, were irked earlier this month when they learned that both Chancellor Jim Rogers and Vice Chancellor Jane Nichols told lawmakers they favored making the board appointed. Whipple believed Rogers was rocking an already fragile relationship with the board.

Whipple said he assumed that Rogers and Nichols would now communicate the board's position only, as required by board bylaws.

Rogers stayed silent throughout the discussion and left immediately afterward to catch a plane to Las Vegas.

Nichols said she would not testify on the bill and that all system employees would now relate the board's position if questioned by lawmakers.

The bill in question, Senate Joint Resolution 4, is a constitutional amendment being sponsored by Republican Sens. Bill Raggio, Randolph Townsend, both of Reno and Dennis Nolan of Las Vegas. It calls for giving the Legislature the authority to set the number, terms and qualifications of regents and allow the governor to make the appointments.

In testimony earlier this month, Raggio said he favored an appointed board to improve the working relationship among regents, the Legislature and the executive branch. Right now, the only time regents have to talk to lawmakers is during the Legislature, he said.

Regents Michael Wixom and Steve Sisolak advocated not taking a stance on the issue because it is a political matter beyond the board's control and the Legislature is in session.

"I don't know if I want to stick it in their face if they have a different opinion," said Sisolak, who abstained along with Regent Mark Alden. "The timing couldn't be worse, and whatever my personal feelings are I can't support going forward on the issue one way or another."

Regents Dorothy Gallagher and Jason Geddes said they favored an appointed board.

Gallagher said her opinion has changed in recent months because she thinks the board will have to restructure after the 2010 Census. Growth in Clark County may force the board to expand in numbers - or reduce representation from rural and Northern Nevada.

Rosenberg perhaps was the most robust, saying he was particularly disturbed when Las Vegas Sun columnist and "Face to Face" host Jon Ralston wrote recently that regents should be appointed to get rid of the "loons and pinheads."

Rosenberg said that was an insult to the people who elected the regents, who have every right to elect and recall anyone they chose.

Besides, Rosenberg said, "If we were to exclude loons and pinheads from public office, in this state we might not ever get a quorum."