Governor Sandoval says: "the purpose of the University is to prepare people to get jobs... what are they going to do if there are no jobs?" So, because there are no jobs in Nevada, let's leave them uneducated, Gov. Sandoval. Let's deny thousands the right of getting an education just so when the economy rebounds and there are indeed jobs out there, they don't have the qualifications to compete for them, and we have to import educated workforce from other states or other countries (countries where education may be free, perhaps) And, no, you are WRONG. The purpose of a university is not ONLY that of preparing people for getting jobs. The purpose of a university is that of educating minds, not creating careers. Higher education produces thinkers, those who will come up with the ideas that will reshape the future; we need creative people who will get us out of the global mess we are in. We need the safe haven of higher ed to nurture the minds that will discover new sources of renewable energy, that will enrich our society with art, literature and will instill in our new generation the values that are paramount in a civilized society. And yes, higher education promotes healthier communities, therefore attracting businesses that in turn create jobs. Governor Sandoval, your shortsightedness appalls me.

Firemen make enormous salaries. This is not right, not fair, not realistic or sustainable. Change is needed.

I can't believe the LV Sun spends time publishing such stupid article about an idiot that thinks that we're still living in the Wild West --hey, maybe we are. So much for civilized society...

don't you love the racist comments here? Don't you love this community we live in?

uddeboda: "The future looks even more grim, with the huge deficit's the US is running up, and future big tax increases will come." I must correct you: The huge deficits (without apostrophe) the US HAS BEEN running up. Remember, 3 trillion of this deficit was inherited from the other administration, deficit which was accrued mostly because of an unnecessary war and tax cuts for the rich. Obama wants tax cuts for those who are going to pump that money into the economy and create jobs, not for those who don't need it. And, better times will come.. for the rest of the nation. For Nevada, only after a comprehensive tax reform...after this state makes the gaming, mining and businesses in general pay their fair share, instead of penalizing the working class by raising only the sales tax.

Yes, Patrick, and please, I'd love to hear your reaction to KarlanaKulseth's post.

Patrick, you are DEAD WRONG. Use your common sense if you have one. Good teachers are not going to come here to make 25,000. The book you cite might be referring to that paying more does not necessarily increase quality, and in some cases that may be true, but to attract qualified teachers, in the first place, you need to offer some decent compensation, don't you agree? I'd love to see you spend a month on a teacher's salary and then hear what you have to say--you or any of your fellow NPRI ideologues.

ths, can you run for governor?

Folks, understand this: Education is NOT a business. It's NOT about making money, but about educating people. Research done now might cost a lot of money, and might not offer an immediate return, but this same research could be what's building this country's future. Some of the best ideas, and technology, and cures for diseases, have come out of research done at higher ed institutions. Stop referring to a university as it were a retail shop, please, let's use our common sense. Privatizing is not the solution either. Some of the bigots posting here still believe that "the free market will take care of everything" and that public education is a failure. We had 8 years in which this country followed that kind of philosophy, and that resulted in one of the worst recessions in our history. So, why insist? Pure ideology? I still don't understand...

The Las Vegas Sun should check on the facts before publishing such article. Higher Ed, professors make more here in NV than the national average. This is mainly due to a merit system than is both politicized and corrupt. Good and productive junior faculty make very small salaries in comparison to "dead wood" faculty members, who have been here forever, and because they know how to play the game, they get huge salary increases. It's time to clean the house. Until this happens, Nevada's higher ed will continue to be a second-class, mediocre university system.