Gibbons defends higher education cuts in podcast address

Tuesday, February 17, 2009 - 1:45 AM

Gov. Jim Gibbons criticized the Nevada System of Higher Education in a podcast Wednesday, saying its leaders show a “lack of cooperation,” making it difficult for the state to move forward with the budget cut process.

He also said:

He supports a tuition increase.
The institutions should seek more independence from state funding.
There are misconceptions about his proposed budget cuts to higher education.

Board of Regents Chair Michael Wixom is writing a response to the governor, which should be released later this week, Dan Klaich, the Board’s executive vice chancellor, said.

In response to Gibbons’ claims that NSHE does not want to talk to government officials and won’t provide specifics on its budget, many officials said they want to stop bickering and start thinking of solutions.

Gov. Jim Gibbons

Regent Ron Knecht made a similar statement about the system’s “overt non-cooperation” at the Las Vegas Board of Regents meeting Feb. 6, less than a week before the governor’s address.

“Instead of a lot of posturing in response to last month’s news, let’s focus on the task going forward based on today’s reality and on taking care of the day-to-day business of this board, the NSHE and our institutions,” Knecht said at the meeting.

In response to Gibbons’ address less than a week ago, University of Nevada, Reno President Milton Glick said he thinks NSHE has been cooperative in the budget process thus far.

“The Nevada System hasn’t done exactly what he’s asked, but they’re not uncooperative,” Glick said. “They are doing what they can in an uncertain time.”

The regents are within reason because laying out specifics of possible cuts damages staff morale and leaves little room to discuss the facts with students, Glick said.

“We believe we make better decisions by extensive dialogue,” Glick said. “So it’s a much slower, different process than other state agencies. But I think we get better results.”

In his address, Gibbons said “enhancements “to tuition would be necessary, as he is unwilling to cut deeper into other government programs.

Gibbons said higher education can raise revenue where as public safety, K-12 education, and health and human services cannot.

Glick and Provost Marc Johnson agree that modest tuition increases are necessary, but said it’s important to balance the increase so it does not drive out students who can’t afford higher costs.

Gibbons also said higher education should pursue more independence from general tax dollars by seeking “business or corporate donations or alumni donations, athletic revenue, federal grants and tuition adjustments.”

NSHE officials agree that institutions should develop solutions to the deficit in funding, what Glick calls a combination of tuition increases and staff reductions. Glick said more help from the state is also necessary.

Gibbons also explained that he proposes a 36 percent cut to state funding of higher education, not higher numbers as some people have stated.

The cuts are to the state funded portion of the budget, which is usually about 77 percent of NSHE’s total funding. The cuts will not affect other sources of revenue, Gibbons clarified.

“I thought he made a few points,” Knecht said. “I guess we’ve got our people advocating on behalf of the system and he’s explaining why his budget is as constrained as it is.”

Jessica Fryman can be reached at jfryman@nevadasagebrush.com.