Updates from the Board of Regents meeting
1 p.m. Oct. 2
LAS VEGAS- The Board of Regents were set to make plans for possible budget cuts this afternoon, but the discussion was moved to 8 a.m. Friday. The regents will follow the rest of today’s agenda as planned.
The meeting can be viewed live at http://www.csn.edu/live/ .
The board plans to take action later today on improving the operation of the University of Nevada, Reno Fire Science Academy. The board could decide to close the academy because of its budget deficit.
UNR President Milton Glick will request Friday that the regents approve a five-year employment contract for Matthew Meuchel as head softball coach. Meuchel’s salary would be $70,000 annually with benefits of up to 50 percent of his monthly salary for post season play, $1,000 for winning conference coach of the year and a courtesy car. If approved, the contract would be effective July 1.
3 p.m. Oct. 2
Glick presented a progress report in finding money to make up the shortfall in paying for the Fire Science Academy.
The academy has more than a $12 million operating deficit and more than $27 million in capital debts.
He said there are several donor proposals on the table, which make up $7.5 million toward operating costs, but nothing is guaranteed. Glick will report back with a formal proposal and recommendation in December.
If the money falls through, Glick said alternative options are either to close the academy or find an alternative use.
“We’re not happy about students having to pay on this every year,” Glick said after his presentation to the board. “We’re going to try and find other ways to lower the debt (if the proposals fall through).”
4:05 p.m. Oct. 2
The regents had time to discuss parts of Friday’s agenda since it was reordered.
The regents unanimously approved a five-year contract for Matthew Meuchel as head softball coach. Meuchel’s salary would be $70,000 annually with benefits of up to 50 percent of his monthly salary for post season play, $1,000 for winning conference coach of the year and a courtesy car. The contract will be effective July 1.
4:14 p.m. Oct. 2
The meeting is adjourned until 8 a.m. Friday.
9:16 a.m. Oct. 3
The Board of Regents voted to have general budget discussions at its December meeting.
Another option presented was to have university presidents present the board with contingency plans for each level of possible cuts in December. But after an hour of discussion, the regents decided that without a firm figure on the percentage of cuts that the Nevada System of Higher Education needs to make, university presidents can’t specifically plan what to cut.
The regents said there are rumors that cuts could reach between 14 and 20 percent for the 2009-11 biennium.
“We don’t know at this point what the end of the game will look like,” Regent Ron Knecht said during the discussion.
Knecht, who said he was in support of specific contingency plans, was the only dissenter in the vote for a general discussion.
“If we sat down and made contingency plans for every single possibility, we would shut the system down doing it,” Chancellor Jim Rogers said.
The regents said a general discussion about priorities is best suited for this situation because there aren’t any official figures on how much higher education needs to cut from its budget.
“Our good faith effort is to protect our students,” Regent Howard Rosenberg said. “As long as we protect out kids, we’re okay.”
10:15 a.m. Oct. 3
During public comment, several student body presidents from Nevada universities expressed their confidence in the regents to help higher education out of the budget crisis. They also briefly outlined their students’ voices and priorities for their campus.
The College of Southern Nevada student body president said the cuts would be detrimental to the institution and would make the college unable to adequately serve students with GEDs and students whose English is their second language.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas student body president said the university risks being unable to offer night classes if more sections are cut.
UNR’ student body president Eli Reilly and Graduate Student Association President Brithany Thomson did not speak.
10:40 a.m. Oct. 3
The regents are reporting information from their committee meetings.
Then, the board will adjourn.
This post will be updated with Board of Regents news through Friday.
Jessica Fryman can be reached at jfryman@nevadasagbrush.com.
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October 29th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
A summarized summary on NY Institute of Technology, CA College of the Arts, and Drake
Institute of Technology in New York
New York Institute of Technology is a private academicly centered institution of higher learning. Founded in 1955, the college holds 10,000 students at its three campuses. The institute is accredited by the MSAC. Specific program recognition include: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Foundation for Interior Design Education Research, The ACFEI, and American Osteopathic Association. NYIT offers student undergraduate career-oriented programs leading the path to to A.A.S, B.B.A, and M.B.A programs.
California Arts College
Formed to conglomerate portfolio review, the College of Arts offers a established approach to liberal arts academia, approaching pupils in a world class range of studies in liberal arts, business, advertising, and Creative Writing.
With an college population of around 1,450, CCA promotes state of the art systems and facilities in a international, social university structure. Pupils learn from an established faculty of focused lecturers in in-depth workshops, with an average of 32 per class. Staff assessors, trained in helping applicants in navigating their college experience, are part of a respected first-semester program.
Drake State University of Rockford, Illinois
Drake was started through a combination of community international efforts. A multi-centered, collaborating focus is an important part of many degree programs at Drake State University. Established to promote academic enrichment and advancement, central to the mission of Drake is its one of a kind capability to accommodate a great number styles of assessment through professional assessment, collaborative experience and on-line organization. Throughout its systems the student will explore a learning area that is active with leading edge technology, educational outreach and personal enrichment programs. Drake encourages the value of one to one relationships which are very often construed amongst students and faculty. As a result, a good number of students create the most proficient combination that enables them to tool the dream of a Drake credential to excel them toward their professional goals.
Drake State University of Rockford IL. is controled by a notable group of Trustees, each of whom holds a unique subject of expertise which can help focus the educational theory and growth of the organization. In a often competitive work market, Drake State University has grown to serve a growing number of students across a selection of fields. Its pupils have seen subsequent accomplishment in the working world, strengthening its reputation in industry.
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:11 pm
“The regents unanimously approved a five-year contract for Matthew Meuchel as head softball coach. Meuchel’s salary would be $70,000 annually with benefits of up to 50 percent of his monthly salary for post season play, $1,000 for winning conference coach of the year and a courtesy car. The contract will be effective July 1.”
The salary and the conference bonus is ok, but do we have to give him a car for being a coach? I thought we had budget issues and if a person making $70k a year can’t afford to buy their own car then we should be paying for a financial management class for him. Just my opinion.