Some would see higher education institutions in local hands

November 8, 2010 by Alexia Gyorody 

The 2011 Legislature may consider transferring control of some colleges to counties to aid budget recovery.

Election season is over, but the issue of who should shoulder the burden of supporting Nevada’s financially struggling higher education institutions is still in play.

The Nevada Legislature is expected to face suggestions to shift the control of some colleges from the state to counties, in the upcoming session set to begin Feb. 2.

Currently, the Nevada System of Higher Education is governed by a board of regents. These elected officials set policies and approve budgets for Nevada’s entire public system of higher education: four community colleges, one state college, two universities and one research institute.

Governor-elect Brian Sandoval wants to return state spending to 2007 levels.

The state expended more on education in that year — $597 million, compared to $558 million in 2010 — but the board of regents has approved a budget request that demands $1.19 billion in 2011-2013.

In order to cut the size of state government, which currently faces a potential $3 billion deficit in the next biennium, Sen. John Lee, D-Las Vegas, chairman of the state Senate Government Affairs committee, told the Washoe County Commission last month that turning over community colleges to county control is being considered.

Lee went on to say that if the plan was adopted, the counties would appoint trustees to oversee the community colleges and be given a tax mechanism to sustain them.

“We can’t afford it anymore,” he said of the state-run system. “We don’t seem to have the expertise to run those effectively.”

But, he explained, the change is “just a discussion item.”

“You should be aware that it is happening,” he said. “It doesn’t mean it’s really going to happen, but we don’t want you to be shocked or surprised.”

Michael Bowers, executive vice president and provost of UNLV, agrees with Lee that the changes are only being discussed.

“My understanding of the very preliminary discussions that are ongoing is that the community colleges might be considered for possible devolution to the counties,” Bowers said. “For example, the College of Southern Nevada would move from state control and financing to Clark County control and financing.”

There are a few ramifications of such a transfer of power.

As Lee pointed out, trustees would need to be appointed for each county that houses an institution of higher education. The counties would have to establish policies and procedures to govern the schools and make decisions on issues ranging from budget to curriculum.

Bowers said that the discussions that have occurred will most likely not affect UNLV or the University of Nevada, Reno.

“I have not heard any discussions that would shift UNLV or UNR to county control,” he said. “Therefore, I would not anticipate any changes within UNLV or its departments should the state make this decision.”

The shift would likely only affect CSN and Nevada State College in Southern Nevada, Great Basin College, Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno and Western Nevada College.

Cumulatively, those institutions have a student population of more than 55,378.