After reviewing the Governor's letter concerning the higher education budget, there appears to be a misunderstanding. The budget presented at our April meeting is our first look at campus and system priorities. This is not our final budget request.

The Board of Regents has a responsibility to consider all of the identified needs and to develop our final request. With the establishment of the Millennium Scholarship by Gov. Guinn and the legislature, it has been our plan to partner with them to increase the number of Nevadans who can attain a college education.

We will review our options and present a budget that is not only responsive to Gov. Guinn's request, but is also reflective of the Board's responsibility to advocate for the funding necessary to provide for projected growth.

Enrollment growth in Nevada's public universities and community colleges has mirrored the state's explosive growth over the last 10 years. From 1990 to 1999 enrollment growth increased by 54 percent.

Last fall, 90,101 students were attending the system's four community colleges and two universities. That number is projected to reach approximately 180,000 by fall 2009.

The Board of Regents will meet in Elko, Nevada, June 22 and 23 to prioritize the many new demands being placed on higher education. Dr. Jane Nichols, who is assuming the role of Interim Chancellor after that meeting, has indicated that the Regents will have the opportunity at that time to respond to the Governor's concerns.

"We will first look at our current budget to ask if we have done all we can to spend available funds wisely, and then develop a budget that is responsive to the Governor's format and timeline, yet reflective of the Regent's decisions about priorities and need," said Nichols.

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 90,000 students.