LAS VEGAS -- Nevada's system of higher education announced today that it will appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court a lower court ruling on the hiring process of community college and university presidents.

Earlier today, District Court Judge Michael Douglas ruled in favor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal and their motion that the appointment process for presidents should take place in a public forum.

As a result of the lower court ruling, five presidential candidates were not interviewed today in order to stay in compliance with the Nevada Open Meeting law. The law stipulates that an agenda for a public meeting must be posted to the public at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting. The search process is now delayed until the appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court is resolved.

"On the advice of General Counsel Tom Ray and in consultation with Board of Regents Chair Thalia Dondero, I feel it is crucial that this appeal be taken directly to the state supreme court," said UCCSN Chancellor Jane Nichols. "Although I have always been an advocate for the Nevada taxpayer's right to know, today's district court decision has far-reaching implications that need to be addressed immediately. While this appeal is pending, we cannot continue our search to find a president for Nevada's largest community college."

"This is an opportunity to seek guidance from the state supreme court on how we must conduct future searches," she added.

The Board of Regents committee that is conducting the search had originally planned to narrow the list of candidates to three finalists today and bring a final recommendation to the full Board of Regents at their October 19-20 meeting in Carson City.

Members of the Regents' committee include Doug Seastrand (chair), Dr. Jill Derby (ex-officio), David Phillips, Howard Rosenberg, Steve Sisolak and Tom Wiesner.

For nearly 30 years, the Community College of Southern Nevada has educated the work force that is the foundation of the region's dynamic economic development. Featuring three main campuses and 50 academic centers in four counties, CCSN enrolls more than 35,000 students in 70 career programs--nearly equal to the combined student body of Nevada's two universities.

Comprising 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.