Regents postpone budget discussion

By Dave Clark

Published Friday, Dec. 5, 2008 | 1:01 p.m.

Updated Friday, Dec. 5, 2008 | 9:47 p.m.

With the Nevada Legislature being called into a special session Monday and Tuesday to grapple with the state's fiscal crisis, the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents postponed a budget discussion until next week.

The regents will hold a special meeting 9 a.m. Dec. 12 in the system office, 5550 W. Flamingo Road.

Based on preliminary indications, System of Higher Education Executive Vice Chancellor Daniel Klaich said it did not appear that an additional 4 percent, 7 percent or 11 percent budget cut would be needed for the current fiscal year as had previously been feared.

"Although they're being tight-lipped about details, there was a good possibility for a plan that would not involve operating cuts," Klaich said.

The Dec. 12 Board of Regents session will examine various solutions to the budget issues facing the state's higher education system, and will take into account the possibility that further cuts will occur, he said.

"There are many solutions to the revenue issues the state has, and we need to look at all of those," Klaich said.

Nevada State College President Fred Maryanski said education officials had already been working to develop a funding model.

"There's been a lot of discussion," he said. "One approach is to do things across the board. The other is to use a formula."

He found neither satisfying. The best approach, he said, would minimize discrepancies between institutions but still recognize enrollment figures.

In light of the financial obstacles, Maryanski hoped that Nevada students would still be able to complete their educations.

"It's difficult times," he said. "But we're hoping to minimize the damage to students."

Dave Clark can be reached at 990-2677 or [email protected].