Regents support four-year degree program at Great Basin College

Final approval of the funding now goes to the Nevada Legislature, which will consider a plan designed to offset funding disparities within the University and Community College system, college officials said.

In a meeting Wednesday in Las Vegas, regents agreed to ask lawmakers to spend $22.2 million in estate tax collections over the next two years to help reduce the disparities.

Money for the four-year program at Great Basin Community College is contingent upon that approval.

If funding is approved, Great Basin College plans to begin offering the program this fall. Great Basin would be the first community college in Nevada to offer a bachelor degree.

"We really feel there is a tremendous need for this type of education in rural Nevada," said Betty Elliott, vice president of academic affairs at the school.

She noted that less than 10 percent of elementary education teachers in rural northeastern Nevada are educated in state.

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