Top stories of spring 2008
1. Brianna Denison
Brianna Denison was reported missing from a friend’s house near campus Jan. 20. The 19-year-old woman’s disappearance drew national media attention as her family and friends held rallies and raised money to “Find Bri.” Her body was found in a south Reno field Feb. 15. During the investigation into her disappearance and murder, police linked hers with two sexual assault cases in 2007. A suspect in the case has not been identified.
2. ASUN elections
This year’s Associated Students of the University of Nevada elections were marked with close results in the presidential race, two Taylor Andersons running for the same seat and a number of violations. Former Sen. Carmen Gilbert lost to Eli Reilly by 11 votes in the general election, while a misprint in the elections guide led to Taylor R. Anderson filing a complaint with the judicial council. In the end, the council voted to keep the election. esults.
3. Nevada caucuses
Throughout January, Democratic and Republican presidential candidates visited the state in an effort to get voters involved with the caucuses. It was the first time Nevada had an early caucus before the New Hampshire primary. Though a record number of Nevadans turned out to caucus for their candidate, overall youth voter turnout was low. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Republican Mitt Romney won their respective races in Nevada.
4. Potential alcohol ban
A gameday survey resulted in university administration and the Nevada athletics department debating whether alcohol should be banned from Mackay Stadium during football season. The ban would have been done to “create a safer environment,” UNR President Milton Glick said. In the end, the university decided alcohol could be sold, but officials said stricter alcohol policies will be enforced next season.
5. Hussein S. Hussein fired
Animal nutrition professor Hussein S. Hussein was fired in April for plagiarism and mismanaging donations. He filed a complaint with the Board of Regents in hopes of getting his job back.
Hussein has sued the university 11 times, claiming retaliation and defamation from university administrators after drawing attention to animal neglect. Two of his suits will go to trial in the fall.
6. UNRPD files no-confidence vote against chief
Ten University of Nevada, Reno police officers and four sergeants said in February that they have no faith or confidence in UNRPD Director Adam Garcia.
The officers said they felt Garcia didn’t properly prepare them for an “active shooter” scenario on campus. The vote came days after the shooting at Northern Illinois University.
University officials said they will bring in a private consulting firm to try and solve problems in the police department.
7. Budget and tuition
After Gov. Jim Gibbons asked each state agency to cut 4.5 percent from their budgets, UNR ended up cutting $18 million from its biennial budget. The cut will result in a $5 per credit fee in the 2008-2009 school year to cover some of the costs.
Also, the Board of Regents voted for 5 percent tuition increases for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years. The tuition increases are as follows: $129.50 to $136 in fall 2009, and $136 to $142.50 in fall 2010.
8. ATO loses charter
During the fall 2007 semester, Alpha Tau Omega members were caught branding pledges’ buttocks and forcing them to eat uncooked food. The university’s investigation into the fraternity lasted throughout winter break and resulted in ATO losing university recognition until 2011. The national ATO organization has not commented on the incident.
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