Friday, Nov. 9, 2001 | 10:08 a.m.
Nevada State College at Henderson doesn't have land, teachers or a complete curriculum, but at least 700 students took home applications for admission this week to become part of the school's founding class.
"Why not," said Barbara Skottey, mother of Sean Skottey, 15, who was looking at options during a College Fair on Wednesday night. "I know at one point in time, they were having money problems. I just can't believe it's getting off the ground now."
The college, which up until recently was having trouble getting enough money to pay for the first year of planning, received a boost last month from private donors who gave slightly less than $500,000 to the school.
Recruiters are now on the college's payroll to get the the word out in time for a spring 2002 opening. At Wednesday's Annual College Fair at Cashman Center, fliers were handed out at the convention door reading:
"Don't miss this opportunity to be part of Nevada State College's founding class. Make history with us as we build Nevada State College together."
Thousands of prospective students attended the event, which played host to recruiters from 135 colleges and universities located across the country.
At the booth, conceptual drawings of the college's 2-year-old Georgian-style design were displayed, even though regents approved another design this summer. New drawings of the desert-styled school were not shown.
Nevada State College President Richard Moore could not be reached Wednesday at the college fair or this week for comment on the college's progress.
Those who did line up at the college's booth had their share of questions.
Most had to do with what classes would cost -- $66 a unit for in-state students -- or the minimum grade point average needed to enter, to which recruiters answered 2.0.
There also will be no required S.A.T. or A.C.T. exam for entrance, although students will be allowed to write an essay instead, said Spencer Stewart, Nevada State College's director of recruiting.
Most important, people asked where the college would be located?
"What I tell people is just take Wagon Wheel Drive off of U.S. 95, look over to your right, and there we are on 500 acres of land," Stewart said.
The 555-acre parecel isn't a done deal. Congress must still clear the way for the Bureau of Land Management to deed that land to the city of Henderson.
Before the college can begin construction on the permanent campus, Moore and college supporters must raise $10 million to tap into matching state funds.
In the meantime, the founding class will be opening its doors in temporary facilities. College officials are not yet clear where that will be.
One prospect, 17-year-old Desert Pine Crest student Daisy Nunez, said she had reservations about attending a school that was not yet a reality.
"I would want to go to a college that has an established foundation, not sketchy ideas about things," she said.
But for another student, the decision on what college to attend will rest on whether the state's universities will raise their admissions requirements to a 3.0 GPA.
"I'm looking to stay in the state," said Sam Cheatham, 18, a Rancho High School student. "If they raise it to a 3.0, then I'll go to the school with the 2.0 requirement."
Advertisements are already set to run in next week's Chronicle of Higher Education for positions at the college. Openings will be posted for an academic vice president, two department chairs, five administrative positions and seven faculty positions.
Because of a limited budget, college officials will not have funding for all positions. Contracts will most likely not extend for the usual one-year period, said Judy Sambrano, a personnel analyst with the University and Community College System of Nevada.
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