February 15-16, 1995
02-15-1995
Pages 124-126
BOARD OF REGENTS
UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF NEVADA
February 15, 1995
A Special Meeting of the Board of Regents was held in the Grand
Room, Richard Tam Alumni Center, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Members present: Dr. James Eardley, Chairman
Mr. Mark Alden
Mrs. Shelly Berkley
Dr. Jill Derby
Mr. Joseph M. Foley
Mrs. Dorothy S. Gallagher (via telephone)
Mr. Madison Graves, II
Mr. Daniel J. Klaich
Mr. David L. Phillips
Mrs. Nancy Price
Mrs. Carolyn Sparks
Others present: Dr. Richard Jarvis, Chancellor
Mr. Donald Klasic, General Counsel
Ms. Mary Lou Moser, Secretary
Chairman Eardley called the meeting to order at 2:35 P.M. with
all Regents present.
1. Appointment, President, UNLV
Dr. Jill Derby, Chairman of the Regents' ad hoc UNLV Presi-
dential Search Committee, presented the Committee recommen-
dation on the appointment of President, University of
Nevada, Las Vegas, which was that the Committee preferred
Dr. Carol Harter, but Dr. William Shelton was an acceptable
candidate.
Dr. Derby moved to accept the recommendation of the UNLV
Search Committee that Dr. Carol Harter be appointed Presi-
dent of UNLV. Mrs. Berkley seconded.
Mr. Klaich expressed his thanks to Dr. Derby for her leader-
ship of the Committee, and the Committee and community mem-
bers who had assisted in the process. He related that he
appreciated working with everyone on this very important
task. Chairman Eardley also thanked the Search Committees
for their diligence in the search.
Mrs. Sparks stated in the ad hoc UNLV Presidential Search
Committee meeting earlier that day, there had been five
people in support of Dr. Charles Jennett and she question-
ed how that support was shifted. Chairman Eardley stated
that was a Committee action.
Motion failed on roll count vote:
Aye: Regents Berkley, Derby, Foley, Klaich, Price
Nay: Regents Alden, Gallagher, Graves, Phillips,
Sparks, Eardley
Mr. Graves moved that Dr. William Shelton be appointed
President of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Mr.
Phillips seconded.
Mrs. Price asked for a Point of Order, stating that it was
apparent to her that there had been a pre-determined out-
come and she would ask the State to pursue the problem of
the decision, harassment and illegal procedures followed
in this vote.
Mrs. Sparks stated she had voted "no" on the above vote
only because she wanted more discussion from the Regents;
that she was not against Dr. Harter, only wanted to hear
the opinions of all the Regents.
Dr. Derby stated there was a unanimous vote of the Regents'
Search Committee to forward the name of Dr. Harter to the
Board of Regents. She stated no outcome could have been
predicted before the Committee meeting earlier that day
because the Committee had only decided during that meeting
what the procedure would be. She related that she was
absolutely stunned that the Board had not accepted the
recommendation of the Committee. She stated that the
Committees felt most strongly that a healing process had
been ongoing during the 9 months of the process and they
had come to a consensus at the end. Dr. Derby stated the
Committees had worked together hard and honorably, and felt
it was a very serious matter for the Board to reject the
recommendation after the process which had been undertaken.
Mr. Alden spoke in favor of Dr. Shelton for the Presidency.
Mrs. Berkley stated her position had been to pay deference
to the decision of the Institutional Advisory Committee and
they had come up with the candidate who had received almost
a two-to-one vote.
Mrs. Sparks asked for clarification of the motion on the
table, with General Counsel Klasic recommending a vote be
taken on this motion.
Mr. Graves stated that this was a difficult decision but
he did not feel the Board should be bound by the Advisory
Committee. He added that he felt a number of constituencies
had not been represented on the Committee, and reminded the
Board that the Alumni Association had voted unanimously for
Dr. Shelton. He related that Dr. Shelton would bring much
needed national accountability to the University.
Mr. Klaich stated that he felt a great deal of attention
should be paid to the decision of the Advisory Committee
for they represent the people who will be working on a
daily basis with the next President. He continued that
the Advisory Committee had sent a signal of their prefer-
ence; that Dr. Harter will provide the leadership to
Campus and State that is needed. He added that he did
not agree with Mrs. Price's Point of Order.
Chairman Eardley stated that the Regents' Committee was to
present information to the full Board, but that it is the
responsibility of the full Board to make the decision.
Dr. Derby stated she felt it would be devasting to the
University if the Regents overturned their decision.
Mrs. Sparks again stated she felt there should have been
more discussion prior to the vote being taken.
Motion failed on roll call vote:
Aye: Regents Alden, Graves, Gallagher, Phillips
Nay: Regents Berkley, Derby, Foley, Klaich, Price,
Sparks
Mr. Klaich moved that the Board appoint Dr. Carol Harter
as President of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Mrs.
Price seconded.
Mr. Graves stated that the decision of the Board was very
clear and the new President should have the unanimous
support of the Board. Mr. Alden agreed.
The motion carried unanimously.
2. Public Comment
Ms. Stephanie Boixo stated she was a member of the Advisory
Committee representing CSUN. She continued that she was
very upset that Mrs. Price would suggest there was discrim-
ination or harassment during the committee process; that
there was none.
The meeting adjourned at 3:05 P.M.
Mary Lou Moser
Secretary of the Board
02-15-1995