The Committee on Education was called to order at 4:10 p.m., on Wednesday, March 31, 1999. Chairman Wendell Williams presided in Green Valley High School, Henderson, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Guest List. Exhibit C contains materials distributed at the meeting. All Exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:

Mr. Wendell Williams, Chairman

Mrs. Barbara Cegavske

Mrs. Vonne Chowning

Mr. Don Gustavson

Mrs. Ellen Koivisto

Mr. Mark Manendo

Ms. Genie Ohrenschall

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:

Mr. Tom Collins, Vice Chairman

Mrs. Sharon Angle

Mr. Greg Brower

Mrs. Marcia deBraga

Ms. Bonnie Parnell

STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:

OTHERS PRESENT:

Chairman Williams thanked the representatives from Henderson for hosting the meeting. He pointed out the Assembly Committee on Education handled policy issues for kindergarten through higher education but only made recommendations to the Committee on Ways and Means regarding appropriation matters; therefore, A.B. 220 had been referred concurrently to the Assembly Committees on Education and Ways and Means.

Assemblyman Perkins, representing Assembly District 23, extended his appreciation to the committee members for meeting in Henderson. He noted the two questions the committee needed to decide were if Nevada needed a three-tiered state college system as opposed to the current two-tiered system and should such a campus be located in Henderson. Assemblyman Perkins pointed out the 1997 session of the legislature approved a new Redfield campus for the University of Nevada, Reno due largely in part to a donation of 60 acres of land from the Redfield Foundation for the purpose of building a higher education campus. The new Redfield campus would be a joint use facility between Truckee Meadows Community College and the University of Nevada, Reno. He expressed his concern that if Nevada needed a 4-year institution, it should be located where the population and growth continued to be. Henderson was the second largest city in Nevada. He indicated after discussions with Henderson Mayor Gibson and other community leaders it was decided a new 4-year college did fit into Henderson’s plan and there was, in fact, land available for that purpose. Assemblyman Perkins noted many community leaders in Henderson indicated they would pledge monetary support for such an institution. He further noted the university system was predominately supportive.

Assemblyman Perkins wondered how Nevada would deal with the continued growth in higher education, considering the increased enrollments from the proposed Millenium Scholarship plan. He noted the Community College of Southern Nevada was now offering, or looking into offering, new 4-year programs because of necessity. He commented the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) was landlocked and bursting at the seams. He remarked the capital money was a "wash" because at some point if there was not a new campus, new classrooms would have to be built. He pointed out it was three times more expensive to educate a student at the university level as opposed to a bachelor’s degree at a state college.

Assemblyman Perkins testified potential federal dollars might be available at a state college level for teacher training. Nevada’s existing university system could not produce enough teachers to meet the demand. He stated Senator Reid was in favor of the new state college and was working toward that in Washington, D.C. He noted a national teaching academy concept would be similar to a military academy, and if every U.S. Senator had the ability to appoint one person from their state to a national teaching academy, it would provide a diversity of teaching candidates. The Clark County School District would have "first bite at the apple" in recruiting those candidates.

Assemblyman Perkins noted if the current student population of 20,000 at UNLV met growth projections, it could double in a very short period of time, and there were few campuses rising to high academic standards with a student body that large.

Assemblyman Perkins called attention to statistics regarding Nevada’s growth projections. The high school graduate growth between 1995 to 2000 showed a 134 percent increase in high school graduates. Arizona was second at 62 percent. The U.S. average was only 20 percent. He noted the percentage of minority graduates in 1994 was 24 percent, the estimate for 2012 would be 62 percent minority graduates. He said the average college participation rate in the west was 50 per 1,000 residents, while Nevada had a participation rate of 43 per 1,000. The enrollment scenarios were diverse, ranging from 82,000 students enrolled in the entire state system to over 122,000 students. He stated Nevada ranked last in the country for the number of high school graduates going on to college. The national average was 60 percent, Nevada was 38 percent. He further noted Nevada ranked last in the western states with only 10 percent of its population holding a bachelor’s degree.

Assemblyman Perkins pointed out to the committee the categories of higher educational schools were research universities, doctoral universities, masters and comprehensive schools, bachelor degree schools, and community colleges. He stated UNR and UNLV were considered doctoral universities but not research universities. He noted New Mexico had a research institution which last year received $116 million in research grant money, UNLV received just $17 million.

Assemblyman Perkins testified the advantages of a state college included lower tuition costs, more reasonable costs to educate a student, and more focus placed upon bachelors and teaching degrees. He further stated the faculty at the state college level spent more time teaching than at a university. At the community college level, faculty taught five courses per semester; at university level, three courses. He said based upon the western states’ average the expenditure for a full-time student at the associates degree level was $7,000 per year, a bachelor degree at a state college was $9,000 per year, and at a doctoral/research university it was $19,000.

Mrs. Cegavske asked if consideration had been given to the shared campus concept with the community college. Assemblyman Perkins said that had not been considered and added the proposed state college would be an approximately 200-acre campus, larger than what a community college campus would require.

In response to Assemblywoman Cegavske’s question, Assemblyman Perkins said the Redfield Campus was never intended as a state college, but rather as a shared-use facility with Truckee Meadows Community College. He further noted UNLV had considered a satellite campus in the Summerlin area.

Mrs. Cegavske questioned the $1 million appropriation in the bill. Assemblyman Perkins noted in order to be drafted the bill needed a monetary amount. He said he was personally convinced the full amount would not be needed. He added there were efforts to secure private funding from the community as a show of support.

Chairman Williams asked about the projected tuition costs for out-of-state students versus in-state. Assemblyman Perkins said that was a question for the Board of Regents or the chancellor to discuss in their presentation.

Chairman Williams inquired about provision of dormitories and if the intent was to attract out-of-state students. Mr. Perkins indicated in-state students from out-of-area would also utilize dormitories, but marketing of the college would be up to the university system.

Mr. Perkins pointed out the Nevada Development Authority supported the project.

Thalia Dondero, University of Nevada regent representing the southern part of district E, stated the regents plan to discuss the issue at their May meeting, and she encouraged members of the Committee on Education to attend that meeting and provide input should they wish. She approved of the needs assessment and implementation plan provided in A.B. 220. She added there were currently about 22,000 graduating seniors, 40 percent of whom could take advantage of the proposed Millenium Scholarship program. She said a 4-year college could address the problem of providing additional space and instructors required to deal with those students. Currently classes were often full, so students were unable to get into the classes they needed, particularly in the education field.

Dr. Richard Jarvis, chancellor of the University and Community College System of Nevada, agreed with the presentation by Mr. Perkins, noting current demand as well as future needs made it imperative to consider additional campuses for both southern and northern Nevada. He indicated most states found a 4-year college, operating between the universities and the community colleges, served the needs for bachelors’ degrees very well. Nevada needed to investigate this concept as a means to save funds for both the state and the students. He noted there was an enormous unmet need in Nevada at the baccalaureate level. Additionally, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas could then become a graduate and research facility.

Chairman Williams noted the appropriation in A.B. 220 was directed towards studying the feasibility of a college in Henderson. He wondered if the regents would be obligated to the Henderson location even if the study indicated a different location might be more appropriate.

Dr. Jarvis stated preliminary discussions accomplished by the university system had already led to the conclusion that a 4-year college in Henderson would be a good idea. The $1 million funding from the legislature would enable the in-depth analysis required to determine if it would, in fact, be feasible.

Assemblywoman Koivisto asked Dr. Jarvis to expand on Assemblyman Perkins’ earlier statement about the capital money being a "wash." Dr. Jarvis said the increase in students meant new facility construction would be required; whether governed as a separate institution, branch campus, or joint facility with a high school, construction still must take place.

Noting the phenomenal growth in the Henderson area, Assemblywoman Chowning applauded the people responsible for the proposal to study a 4-year college. She inquired if the idea would be abandoned should the study indicate the need was not in Henderson, or if another location would be considered.

Ms. Dondero responded there was a need for a facility, but they needed to determine number of students, cost, specific site, and the like.

Dr. Jarvis added the funding would enable a comprehensive assessment. He declared there was a compelling urgency to get the planning underway, since the university and community college system could not meet the needs for the foreseeable future. A.B. 220 would enable the in-depth study required to facilitate the various partnerships within the state toward the goal of a comprehensive higher education system.

In response to Assemblyman Manendo’s question concerning which locations were going to be studied, Ms. Dondero replied the assessment would be specific to the Henderson area because of it’s phenomenal growth, and would evaluate the various possible locations within the area.

Steve Sisolac, Board of Regents, asked for clarification on whether there could be flexibility in use of the $1 million, or whether it must be expended just on Henderson. Chairman Williams suggested Mr. Sisolac discuss that with Assemblyman Perkins.

Ron Meek, provost of the Henderson Community College campus, agreed with the chancellor that the future higher education needs were going to be overwhelming. He said it was commendable the problem was being addressed at that point in time. He noted the definite need for additional 4-year programs, particularly in the areas of teacher education and applied technology. He referenced the so-called "two plus two" program, which transfered the first 2 years of an associate of applied science degree directly into a 4-year program leading to a bachelor’s degree. He said the first 2 years provided expertise in a trade, but companies also required individuals who could manage and market. That was being done successfully in other states, but Nevada had not started doing it yet. That type of program in Henderson would assist not only the local area, but the state as well. He went on to say programs to meet basic higher education needs must be accessible to the students. A Henderson site would be very accessible to the entire population of southern Nevada, where the student growth ws taking place. He encouraged approval of A.B. 220 as a step towards accomplishing that goal.

Natalie Simmons, Bishop Gorman High School student and resident of Henderson, stated a state college in Henderson would be beneficial to those graduating from all Henderson high schools. She noted she was interested in the nursing field, which was not offered at UNLV, but a 4-year college would give her the opportunity. She stated those students were forced to go out-of-state for many fields, which did not help the economy in Nevada.

Sasha Perry, a freshman at Vo-Tech High School, also encouraged establishment of a state college in Henderson. She noted Henderson was no longer the "industrial suburb" of Las Vegas, but one of the fastest growing cities in the country and the cultural and educational choices needed to be expanded by having a 4-year college. UNLV had become overcrowded and increasingly expensive, she said. Current high school graduates would have increased opportunities and local businesses would be able to hire from a local pool rather than having to recruit from out-of-state.

Selma Bartlett, Henderson resident for 45 years, gave background on how the community college came to be, outlining the community cooperation and interaction. She stressed the community would provide the same strong backing for a state college. She said it would help all of southern Nevada, citing how many students in the teacher education program had not been able to graduate on time because classes were full. She said it was not a criticism of UNLV, but merely reflected the huge population growth in southern Nevada. She said it was important to act now to begin to fulfill the future needs of Nevada’s young people. She added she was a banker and knew what the state budget looked like, but an extra amount could always be squeezed out.

The mayor of Henderson, Jim Gibson, noted today’s discussions would be part of framing the future of education in Nevada. The partnership of the city and the university system could do much to enhance the quality of life in the valley by helping to place a school to fill the gap between the community college and the university levels. He stated the university could no longer be "all things to all people." It must begin to specialize in order to succeed, and a 4-year state college would enable that to happen. He noted 30 percent of the residents of Henderson were over 55 and an equal number under 18. He cited the statistics earlier referenced by Assemblyman Perkins which demonstrated the need for additional higher education facilities. He said there were several sites of sufficient size that could be accessed by the city, adding Henderson was an ideal location in part because of the strong community, private enterprise, and public sector support. He cited strong support from the local chamber of commerce and the Nevada Development Authority, saying it would make diversification and recruitment of new businesses to the valley much easier, because there would be a pool of trained employees from which those companies could draw.

He noted one compelling argument for the introduction of a new tier in the higher education system was there was not now an institution where the students just out of high school could obtain the traditional college experience; the average age at UNLV was 28 and at the community colleges it was much older. He stated fully 50 percent of the qualified high school students attended college outside of Nevada. If the brightest students could be retained in Nevada, it would enhance the standing and reputation of the entire system.

He stressed the Board of Regents was committed to improving access to higher education, and the third tier to the system would definitely do that. With the two universities concentrating on graduate level and research programs, and baccalaureate programs being available at the 4-year college level, students and the state would be better served. He said he would like to see the centerpiece of a 4-year institution be a teacher training college, which could meet the ever growing need for qualified teachers within the state. A 4-year institution could also allow focus on small business: technology, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship.

He closed by saying Henderson, with its strong sense of community and in-place infrastructure, would be the ideal location for Nevada’s first state college. He urged approval of A.B. 220.

Assemblyman Manendo inquired if the proposed institution would attract mainly students from high schools in the Henderson area, with other students perhaps opting to attend UNLV because of its proximity to them. Mr. Gibson said it was felt the 4-year college could be a residential facility, so it would attract students from across the state. The intent of the college was not to compete with UNLV, but to provide a different tier of opportunity.

Assemblywoman Sandra Tiffany spoke in support of A.B. 220, citing the overcrowding at UNLV and the heavy demand for undergraduate programs, which was siphoning off needed resources from the graduate programs. The charge of a typical university was to have an emphasis on quality graduate and Ph.D. programs and research.

In recommending establishment of a 4-year institution, she reported at the undergraduate level, UNLV was currently able to graduate about 500 teachers per year, well below the estimated southern Nevada need of 1,200 to 1,700 teachers. The proposed Millenium Scholarship Program would create an additional demand for undergraduate programs. She complimented the community college system for its success with 2-year programs and technology centers, adding the 2-year colleges served a definite community need and should not be expanded into 4-year colleges.

She emphasized several factors making Henderson the ideal location for the state’s first 4-year college: the strong support and dedication of the entire community, the existing infrastructure, the location, the accessibility, and the population base. She added all four Assemblypersons representing the area supported the proposal.

Diana Fyke, president of the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, summarized and presented a resolution in support of A.B. 220 from the chamber and the Henderson Development Association (see Exhibit C, item 1).

Joe Caine, representing the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, noted they had over 5,700 members throughout the Las Vegas Valley and the organization fully supported A.B. 220. He added the business and economic development efforts taking place in southern Nevada required a third tier of higher education be placed into the university and community college system. He agreed with earlier speakers about Henderson being a good location.

Nick Stranski, senior at Chaparral High School, noted he would attend UNLV because it was local, but would go elsewhere if there was another local option. He said it seemed as though UNLV concentrated on the hotel management curriculum to the detriment of other subject areas.

Manish Kumar, senior at Green Valley High School, and member of the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Youth Excellence and Opportunity, agreed about the need for a 4-year state college. He noted many of his friends had applied to 4-year institutions in other states because of the variety of programs not offered at UNLV. He stated most of those students would stay in Nevada if they had the state college opportunity. He indicated his father was on the faculty at UNLV, and professors found it difficult to do research while having to focus on undergraduate level classes. He noted students could find jobs in the community while still getting an education geared towards their needs. He closed by recommending approval of the feasibility study.

Harry Williams, representing Basic High School and the Henderson Boys and Girls Club, said it was estimated that by 2010, 31,000 of the 49,000 prospective college students in southern Nevada would stay in the state. The system could not handle that number unless it expanded, and he urged development of a 4-year institution.

Doug Drobnis, from Senator Jon Porter’s office, read a letter from Senator Porter encouraging support of A.B. 220. (see Exhibit C, item 2).

Robert Nard, business representative of the Southern Nevada Building Construction Trades Council, spoke in support of A.B. 220 on behalf of that council and the AFL-CIO. He said a 4-year college would complement their programs and provide better access for the members and their families.

The president and CEO of St. Rose Dominican Community Hospital, Rod Davis, agreed with those speaking previously and brought up another issue, the availability of trained health care workers for the future. He cited U.S. Department of Labor statistics which showed health, social, business, engineering, management, and related services were expected to account for nearly one of every two wage and salary workers in the national economy by 2006. He added health-related occupations accounted for 6 of the 10 fastest growing occupations in the country and skilled nurses were among the greatest need. He noted the Nevada Employment Security Division estimated Nevada would have shortages in the areas of physical, occupational, and respiratory therapists, and medical and radiological technologists. He noted during 1997-98 Nevada did not graduate one student in respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, or physical therapy. He also cited the need for 800 new nursing positions each year through 2006, while Nevada’s current higher education system would graduate just 300 to 350 new nurses in that same period. He referred to a 1997 Nevada Legislative Commission study finding that Nevada’s colleges and universities were losing ground in their training of nurses and health care workers.

He went on to describe hospital expansion at St. Rose Dominican which would require 300 new registered nurses within the next 2 years and an estimated 90 per year thereafter to meet normal attrition rates. He noted the looming critical health care crisis could be resolved only by addressing the health care worker availability in the state. He quoted Oliver Wendell Holmes, "I find the most important thing in life was not where we are, but in what direction we are moving." He asked approval of a 4-year college in Henderson.

Deborah Schramm, Kerr-McGee Corporation, testified that Kerr-McGee had been in the community for over 30 years and were excited about the location of a 4-year college in Henderson. She commended Assemblyman Perkins, Senator Porter, and Mayor Gibson for their leadership. She pledged Kerr-McGee’s support and offered to house the study committee in a temporary facility on their property at no cost to the state in order to facilitate the process.

A copy of this testimony was attached as Exhibit C, item 3.

Ocean Spray Cranberries plant manager Doug Reifsteck, representing the Henderson Development Association, briefly spoke to the partnership between that association and the city. He stated a 4-year state college would have a tremendous impact on the ability of the development association to diversify and attract new businesses as well as assist existing businesses. He noted there was a serious concern within the industrial community about the lack of skilled labor in southern Nevada. He said a recent Nevada Development Authority survey showed 50 percent of the respondents indicated recruitment of skilled labor was their most critical concern, as they often had to go out-of-state to hire workers. He said establishing a 4-year college in Henderson would be a strong statement the state was willing to address the problem. He closed by echoing the statements of previous speakers concerning quality-of-life issues and the importance of community collaboration and support. He encouraged passage of A.B. 220.

After determining no one present wished to speak in opposition to A.B. 220, Chairman Williams thanked all those attending and adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

Mary Bean,

Committee Secretary

APPROVED BY:

Assemblyman Wendell Williams, Chairman

DATE: