Higher ed leaders, governor discuss possible tuition hikes

By Cy Ryan

Monday, Nov. 10, 2008 | 4:42 p.m.

CARSON CITY -- Raising tuition at universities and colleges and getting local governments to chip in for community colleges are two possible plans to help the Nevada System of Higher Education with its financial crunch.

Gov. Jim Gibbons, University Regent Chairman Michael Wixom, Chancellor Jim Rogers and Daniel Klaich, a vice president in the system, met for about 30 minutes today in Carson City to discuss the upcoming budget.

Wixom told reporters: “Our tuition dollars, relatively speaking, are much below our peer institutions. Nevada historically and now has had very low tuition.”

He didn’t indicate how much of an increase officials are discussing. An increase would have to be approved by the Board of Regents.

“We have to (have) a better handle on what those figures are,” Wixom said. “But that’s a reality we have to face.”

The money collected would stay on that campus, Wixom said.

Josh Hicks, chief of staff for the governor, said there were “no solutions” arrived at during the meeting and it was “to keep the lines of communication open.”

In the past month, Rogers has been critical of the governor for his suggested cutback that initially called for a 14 percent reduction in the budget for the coming two years.

Wixom said a Rogers proposal to have local governments chip in more for the community colleges in their area was discussed. University and local government officials would have to “explore this fully,” he said.

Hicks said it would “require more input from local government” before counties or cities would have to contribute to the community colleges.

Also discussed, according to Wixom, was selling off the money that is due to come to the state over the next couple of years, in return for a lump sum from the tobacco settlement. But Hicks said that was “unrealistic” in view of the present market conditions.

In addition, the group discussed eliminating some tax exemptions but did not give examples.

Gibbons originally said state agencies would have to make 14 percent cuts in their budgets for the coming two fiscal year. Because of the deepening recession, that figure has now been raised to 30 percent.

Wixom and Rogers said there will be future meetings to discuss the higher education system budget, but no date has been set.

Cy Ryan may be reached at (775) 687 5032 or [email protected].