EDUCATION:

Higher ed leaders, governor discuss possible tuition hikes

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

Nov. 10 -- Governor: Salary cuts possible, any tax hike must be temporary
Nov. 7 -- Gibbons may be softening on anti-tax stance
Oct. 22 -- Hard lesson: Budget cuts mean layoffs
Oct. 10 -- Gibbons: Special legislative session might be needed
Oct. 6 -- Lawmakers look to public for ideas

Archive of Sun politics stories

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 cy@lasvegassun.com.

Discussion: 4 comments so far…

By NoNevJim

11/10/08 at 7:57 p.m.

Suggest removal

These folks met for 30 minutes? What could they possibly accomplish in 30 minutes? When is Gibbons going to start taking this budget mess, high University costs, housing slump, etc. seriously?? Nevada is #1 rated in so many embarrassing areas and Gibbons is silent. What a waste of space in the Capitol.
By worstnightmere

11/10/08 at 9:12 p.m.

Suggest removal

Gibbons is buying time with Rogers and Wixom, that is why Gibbons only allowed a 30 minute meeting, to stall for time... Then promised another meeting in the future, as if that is going to happen...
By Public_Education_NV

11/11/08 at 9:23 a.m.

Suggest removal

Raising tuition is the wrong move for Nevada's Higher Education System. Tuition rates are one of the few qualities that set Nevada apart from other state systems. In an attempt to make Nevada a leader in education we need to find additional sources of revenue to fully fund our system. Nevada's Education System should be developed organically (developing our own unique model) with as much access as possible for people to attend college, and the Millennium Scholarship is part of that unique model. Unfortunately, in any system remedial classes are sometimes necessary, and some students should not be chastised or barred from college because he or she has not yet reached the right achievement level. Instead, the system should meet those deficient challenges and add additional classes to help students make the transition to college level work or other areas in which further help is needed. The UNLV Writing Center is a perfect example of such a great program as it helps students learn to become better writers. More of these services should be offered.

Raising tuition would create a disincentive for people to seek higher education at a time when more of Nevada's youth should be entering and graduating from college.

Education is so fundamental to our state that the residual benefits and positive externalities which greatly outweigh raising tuition rates for students. Therefore, additional revenue sources should be sought from other areas in addition to reviewing organizational policies and procedures that might cost the system money (unneeded red-tape).
By UNLVStud

11/11/08 at 1:23 p.m.

Suggest removal

If 100% of that money, instead of around 80% of our tuition dollars, went back to the institution where it originated from I would be for such a plan to raise tuition. Until that happens, students should not be offsetting the budget problems of the State by being taxed heavily through tuition to make up the short falls.