Reno -- Chancellor Richard Jarvis today submitted his resignation from the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN), effective August 31, 1999. He joined the UCCSN in October 1994 and has served as its fifth Chancellor.

Dr. Jarvis has accepted an appointment as the founding Chancellor of the United States Open University (USOU). USOU is a non-profit private national university serving adult students and lifelong learners through distance education. It is a sister institution of the Open University of the United Kingdom, the world leader in adult distance learning with over 200,000 enrolled worldwide.

"It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve the UCCSN and the State of Nevada for the past five years" said Jarvis. "I am deeply grateful for the support of higher education by Governor Guinn, Governor Miller, Senator Raggio, and Speaker Dini along with many other legislators and community leaders".

During Jarvis' tenure as Chancellor student enrollment in the UCCSN has increased by about 30%. Major initiatives underway or planned include the law and dental schools at UNLV, high technology centers and community college high schools in Las Vegas, Carson City, Reno, and Elko, the development of baccalaureate programs at Great Basin College, and a feasibility study for a new state college at Henderson.

Comprised of two doctoral-granting universities, four comprehensive community colleges and one environmental research institution, the University and Community College System of Nevada serves the educational and job training needs of the nation's fastest growing state. As Nevada's only system of higher education, the UCCSN provides educational opportunities to more than 82,000 students.