MINUTES OF THE
SENATE Committee on Human Resources and Facilities
Seventy-First Session
February 21, 2001
The Senate Committee on Human Resources and Facilitieswas called to order by Chairman Raymond D. Rawson, at 1:39 p.m., on Wednesday, February 21, 2001, in Room 2135 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Attendance Roster. All exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Senator Raymond D. Rawson, Chairman
Senator Maurice Washington, Vice Chairman
Senator Randolph J. Townsend
Senator Mark Amodei
Senator Bernice Mathews
Senator Michael Schneider
Senator Valerie Wiener
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
H. Pepper Sturm, Committee Policy Analyst
Patricia Di Domenico, Committee Secretary
OTHERS PRESENT:
David Perlman, Administrator, Commission on Postsecondary Education
Steve Soukup, Chairman, Commission on Postsecondary Education
Dr. Jane Nichols, Chancellor, University and Community College System of Nevada
Sherwin L. Iverson, Interim Vice Chancellor, Academic Research and Student Affairs, University and Community College System of Nevada
Daniel G. Miles, Interim Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration, University and Community College System of Nevada
Chairman Rawson opened the hearing on Senate Bill (S.B.) 114.
SENATE BILL 114: Revises provisions governing bonding requirements of certain postsecondary educational institutions. (BDR 34-399)
David Perlman, Administrator, Commission on Postsecondary Education, read from prepared testimony (Exhibit C) expounding on the need to pass S.B. 114. He said S.B. 114 provides the commission with a powerful tool that will benefit students in the long term and will allow the commission to set the bonding amount for private schools at a level commensurate with risk.
Chairman Rawson asked Mr. Perlman if the language in S.B. 114 meets the commission’s requirements. Mr. Perlman answered in the affirmative. Senator Wiener stated she served on the commission for 4 years and as vice chairwoman for a good part of that time during which the problem of school closures and students being absorbed by other schools was prevalent. She inquired about the present status of school closures. Mr. Perlman replied that schools were at capacity and could not absorb more students. Senator Wiener asked if the changes proposed in S.B. 114 would help students recoup some of their money if they could not be “taught out.” Mr. Perlman explained S.B. 114
would help with the problem.
Steve Soukup, Chairman, Commission on Postsecondary Education, testified that S.B. 114 would allow the Commission on Postsecondary Education to set standards for the future.
Chairman Rawson closed the hearing on S.B. 114 and introduced Dr. Jane Nichols, Chancellor, University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN).
Dr. Nichols presented the University and Community College System of Nevada’s annual “Planning Report” (Exhibit D. Original is on file in the Research Library.) to the committee. She explained the report is an overview of programs and plans for the future. Dr. Nichols stressed UCCSN’s number one priority is for Nevada students to attend college. She said compared to the regional and national averages Nevada is still behind in citizens enrolled in postsecondary education. Dr. Nichols stated by the year 2008 the number of high school graduates in Nevada would increase by 58 percent. She pointed out the growing population in the state will change the ethnicity of high school graduates in Nevada in the years to come. Dr. Nichols pointed out by the year 2008 UCCSN will have gone from a graduating class that is 72 percent white to a graduating class of 48 percent white, and the Latino population will have moved from 13 percent to 33 percent by that time. She remarked the population growth would have a definite impact on the budget in the future.
Dr. Nichols acknowledged there is pressure to provide more degree-granting institutions, professional programs, and more graduates to meet Nevada’s needs. She stressed the importance of more teacher education, education in health related fields, technology degrees, engineering degrees, and associate degrees in community colleges. Work-force development has become a key focus. Dr. Nichols mentioned the exploration of new programs such as: the Great Basin College initiative to have selected 4-year degrees in key areas to meet the needs of rural Nevada; also the new Nevada State College, a Summerlin branch campus for the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and for the University of Nevada, Reno, the Redfield branch campus. She expounded on the initiatives and methods that would provide better educational opportunities and more efficient ways to utilize existing resources.
Dr. Nichols pointed out that distance education is the fastest growing sector with 300 courses and 13 disciplines available statewide. She said citizens can access the on-line distance education catalog from anywhere in the state and look at the on-line courses available. Dr. Nichols noted there are 185 courses available for high school students to complete for college credit by distance education. Dr. Nichols testified that UCCSN has worked hard to provide a seamless link from k-12 to higher education. She then listed the ways this has been accomplished: distance education initiatives; high-tech centers located on high school campuses; early testing to identify the need for remedial courses for students; working to coordinate placement tests with a K-12 test, particularly the proficiency examination; high schools on college campuses; and seamless transfer between the UCCSN institutions. Dr. Nichols said the regents have stated students should be able to begin work on a baccalaureate degree at a community college and complete that degree in the same number of credits as a student who started at the university. She explained the 2-plus-2 programs in all majors in the universities allow students to know what must be taken at the community college to achieve graduation in a particular field, and common course numbering has been implemented to make it easier for students, parents, and faculty.
Dr. Nichols testified that a study had been initiated in collaboration with the RAND corporation to allow UCCSN to develop a 10-year plan for higher education. This plan should be completed by the fall and provide valuable information for the next biennium budget. She told the committee UCCSN participated in the Batelle Study, a statewide study of research and workforce development needs in Nevada. Based on the recommendations of that study UCCSN will move forward to support economic development and increase research.
Dr. Nichols informed the committee that UCCSN is looking to implement performance indicators targeted at areas where progress needs to be made, such as quality of student learning, college graduation and completion rates, minority-student retention and completion, focus and success in research, and workforce development.
Dr. Nichols expounded on the effect and impact the Millennium Scholarship has had on students continuing their higher education. She drew the committee’s attention to a map of Nevada that indicate the origins of the Millennium Scholarship recipients. Dr. Nichol’s pointed out that 60 percent of the recipients were women, 27 percent come from minority groups, and out of that minority number only 5 percent were African American. She noted how well student retention, re-enrollment, and eligibility were maintained. Dr. Nichlols averred the Millennium Scholarships are making a tremendous difference and enabling higher education for students.
Dr. Nichols testified that the average cost of attendance for a student living away from home is not a small sum, the cost is: $13,000 at our universities and $10,000-plus at community colleges. In 1998 and 1999, $129 million was distributed in financial aid to students of which 48 percent was in loans; 62 percent was federal; 19 percent state; 11 percent institutional; and 8 percent privately funded. She stated 21 percent is on-campus employment for students. Dr. Nichols mentioned undergraduates owe an average of $10,173 in student loans upon leaving college and $4728 upon leaving a community college. She said a new policy of $5.9 million has been adopted for the Nevada Student Access Dollars; they will be 90 percent need-based, and the Regents’ Award Program will also be 90 percent need-based.
Chairman Rawson asked what the current number of students was in the university and community college system.
Sherwin L. Iverson, Interim Vice Chancellor, Academic Research and Student Affairs, University and Community College System of Nevada, testified that there were over 49,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) students equating to 87,000 head-count students.
Chairman Rawson commented on the population growth and the number of students in the school districts. He said a realistic projection of 58 percent increase would mean an additional 79,000 FTE students. Chairman Rawson voiced concern that the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget is not accounting for the rapid growth and it does not address the impact this will have in the future. Chairman Rawson stated this is a critical issue and must be given immediate attention because the planning money should be in place by 2003. He emphasized that to accommodate an additional 30,000 students in 2008 we must start now. Chairman Rawson questioned whether the regents have taken this under consideration.
Dr. Nichols replied that a space study has been completed, but the 10–year plan has not. Chairman Rawson pointed out that there is a disconnection between the Legislature and the regents on this issue and the Legislature is always behind. Chairman Rawson claimed the full responsibility for higher education lies with the regents but the budget responsibility lies with the state. He reiterated his apprehension about the CIP budget covering the needs for the future. Chairman Rawson offered the utilization of the committee to draft a study if it needs to be done by the Legislature.
Dr. Nichols said UCCSN have presented the state with an affordable plan. She remarked upon the new state college and the utilization of space more efficiently, as ways of addressing this need.
Chairman Rawson reflected on testimony from a prior legislative session concerning the comparison of Nevada and surrounding states meeting the needs of its citizens. He opined, one reason students do not opt for higher education is not because they can make $70,000 parking cars, but because the facilities, classes and opportunities to obtain a higher education are not available here in this state, as they are in surrounding states. Chairman Rawson said he would be interested in a comparison of how many students per population of 100,000 in Nevada compares to states around us; what it would take to bring us in line with the facilities they provide; and then look at a 10-year projection. Chairman Rawson speculated unless the Legislature has that information and deals with the issue Nevada will be behind for the next 50 years. Dr. Nichols agreed, and said UCCSN would provide that information to the Legislature.
Chairman Rawson referenced page 32 of the “Planning Report” (Exhibit D), and asked if UCCSN had changed their mission statement and is no longer committed to working with the state and meeting its needs. Dr. Nichols replied, the Mission Statement on page 32 is an abbreviated version and UCCSN has not deferred from their obligations.
Senator Wiener asked if UCCSN is focusing on health care professionals. Dr. Nichols responded in the affirmative. She explained the focus is on allied health areas, particularly areas that can be built upon, such as moving the associate’s degree in allied health to a bachelor’s degree. This will provide a clear partnership between the state college and community colleges. Senator Wiener asked if this would be one of the “2-plus-2” programs. Dr. Nichols replied it would even be more than a “2 plus 2” program.
Senator Mathews queried about a program that would provide for a student who has a bachelor’s degree and wishes to pursue a career in nursing, teaching or allied health without having to undertake another 4 years. Dr. Nichols answered that there needs to be shorter path for those students who already have a bachelor’s degree.
Chairman Rawson introduce Daniel G. Miles, Interim Vice Chancellor, Finance and Administration, University and Community College System of Nevada, and asked if he had any concerns with the challenge put forth to the regents of UCCSN concerning the anticipated growth. Mr. Miles stated each campus has a master plan that UCCSN will be putting together to get a system-wide picture to share with the Legislature. He agreed this is the direction in which Nevada needs to move.
Chairman Rawson opened the hearing on Senate Bill (S.B.) 113.
SENATE BILL 113: Increases amount of millennium scholarship for upper division courses at community colleges and authorizes award of millennium scholarship to student enrolled in state college established by University and Community College System of Nevada. (BDR 34-433)
Dr. Jane Nichols testified that S.B. 113 makes certain changes to Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 396.911 and provided the committee with the Millennium Scholarship award “Status Report on Enrollment and Funding” (Exhibit E). One of the changes she identified was the addition of a state college to the list of institutions that students can attend under the Millennium Scholarship, and a second change sets a dollar amount that is halfway in between the university and community college fee amount. Dr. Nichols explained that under the Millennium Scholarship, a student is entitled to $80 per credit, $40 per credit at a community college, $60 per credit for a student attending the state college, and adds a dollar amount for students attending a baccalaureate program at Great Basin College.
Dr. Nichols informed the committee there were other housekeeping issues related to the Millennium Scholarship not included in S.B. 113. She requested to discuss those issues through a work session. Chairman Rawson stated he preferred to finish hearing S.B. 113 and hold it until the issues have matured, then process them. He assured Dr. Nichols the deadlines for S.B. 113 would be watched carefully.
Chairman Rawson commented that one good result of the Millennium Scholarship was keeping students in the state. He said it is everyone’s obligation to the students of Nevada to provide more comprehensive programs and develop them to an excellent level. Chairman Rawson referenced Georgia’s Hope Scholarship as an example of accomplishing the goal of keeping their students in state. Dr. Nichols said Georgia has raised the level of performance in their institutions, and the grade point averages and test scores are higher because of their Hope Scholarship.
Senator Schneider remarked that higher education would help diversify our economy because businesses will not move to Nevada unless we have an educated workforce. He commended Chairman Rawson for bringing the issue forward and he offered to participate in an interim committee to study this issue.
Chairman Rawson adjourned the meeting at 2:25 p.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Patricia Di Domenico
Committee Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Senator Raymond D. Rawson, Chairman
DATE: