Newcomers could have big role, face big tests

By Charlotte Hsu

Friday, Oct. 17, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Six of the 13 regents who govern Nevada’s higher education system are facing November reelection battles, running for other offices or giving up their seats in January because of term limits.

That means some of the most daunting decisions regents have faced in years — what college programs to cut, how much to raise student fees to counter budget shortfalls, whom to choose as the system’s next chancellor — could be made in 2009 by a board heavy with newcomers.

“People coming on in January are going to have to be very quick learners because we’re going to be going into a legislative session,” Regent Dorothy Gallagher said. “And with our budget problems, that will be a daunting task.”

No one knows that better than Northern Nevada lawyer Bill Cobb, the almost certain replacement for Regent Howard Rosenberg, who is stepping down because of term limits. Cobb has been meeting with regents, college presidents and other higher education officials to learn about institutions and regents’ responsibilities.

“It’s a huge learning curve to get up to speed on your responsibilities and obligations, so it’s almost like Regent 101,” said Cobb, whose opponent is reportedly not campaigning.

It’s unlikely all six board members who could be leaving will. Still, educating any new regents about Nevada’s higher education system will take time — something administrators are short on as their schools cut staffs to save money, leaving employees with larger workloads.

But with so many big decisions looming, giving newcomers a crash course in higher education affairs will be a priority. As UNLV President David Ashley said, “They need to understand that each of the institutions is different — different in size, different in mission.”

“They need to understand the variation in the institutions so they don’t look at one question from only one perspective,” he added. “They need to be able to put themselves in the shoes of all these different students.”

As one example of why that’s important, regents approved surcharges on courses at five public colleges this year while keeping fees level at two others. How much regents believed students at each school could afford and wanted to pay factored heavily in that decision.

Rookie regents could also help shape how the higher education system deals with budget cuts and Gov. Jim Gibbons.

This summer, the regents defied Gibbons’ order to submit budgets reflecting 14.12 percent reductions and instead filed a proposal for a 10.5 percent increase. And most board members have supported university system Chancellor Jim Rogers’ handling of the budget crisis, which has included criticizing the governor in blunt terms and calling for new taxes.

The regents’ offices are nonpartisan, but Gibbons, a Republican, will have the opportunity to fill as many as three seats on the board with like-minded individuals.

Gibbons is selecting a replacement for Regent Thalia Dondero, who is being forced out by a court ruling on term limits. No one else filed to run for her position.

He will also decide who will take over for two regents if they succeed in bids for other elected offices. Regent Steve Sisolak is on the November ballot as a candidate for county commissioner and Regent Stavros Anthony is set to run for a Las Vegas City Council seat in June.

“It’s obviously an important time for the System of Higher Education, and any appointment the governor makes will be based on that candidate’s dedication to improving the quality of higher education in Nevada,” Gibbons spokesman Ben Kieckhefer said.

Besides Rosenberg, Dondero, Anthony and Sisolak, Regents Jason Geddes and Bret Whipple could be leaving the board. They are facing challengers in reelection efforts.

Geddes’ opponent, Rajan Zed, a Hindu chaplain and community leader in Washoe County, and Whipple’s opponent, Robert Blakely, an insurance salesman in Clark County, are not campaigning heavily. Zed and Blakely are sharing their platforms with interest groups but will not send out mailers, distribute lawn placards or knock on doors.

Like several of his fellow regents, Anthony said the possibility of high turnover doesn’t bother him.

“It’s a big board, so every time you have new people coming on you still have seasoned veterans on the board that understand the history of it, and it balances out. Every time you get new board members it’s always time to get new ideas.”