August 1-2, 1991
8-01-1991
Pages 92-94
BOARD OF REGENTS
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA SYSTEM
August 1, 1991
The Board of Regents met on the above date in the System
Administration building, 1621 E. Flamingo Road, Suite 15-A,
Las Vegas and the System Administration building, 2601 Enter-
prise Road, Reno, in a special teleconference.
Members present: Mrs. Carolyn M. Sparks, Chairman
Dr. Jill Derby, Gardnerville
Mrs. Dorothy S. Gallagher, Elko
Dr. Lonnie Hammargren, Las Vegas
Mr. Daniel J. Klaich, Reno
Mrs. June F. Whitley, Las Vegas
Members absent: Mrs. Shelley Berkley
Dr. James Eardley
Mr. Joseph Foley
Others present: Vice Chancellor Ron Sparks
General Counsel Donald Klasic
President Joseph Crowley, UNR
Mr. Chris Ault, UNR
Ms. Mary Lou Moser, Secretary
Also present was Dr. Elizabeth Raymond, Faculty Senate Chairman,
UNR and Chris Exline, UNR Intercollegiate Athletic Board.
Chairman Carolyn Sparks called the meeting to order at 5:05 P.M.
Thursday, August 1, 1991.
1. Approved Membership in Big West Conference, UNR
Approved membership in the Big West Athletic Conference
for the University of Nevada, Reno. President Crowley
explained that he had just received a call from Mr. Jim
Haney, Commissioner of the Big West Athletic Conference,
inviting UNR to become a member of the Big West Conference
effective Fall, 1992. Mr. Haney had stated the invitation
was a unanimous decision of the Conference Board. Presi-
dent Crowley stated the matter had been discussed by var-
ious groups on Campus. The Athletic Department was very
much in favor of joining the Conference. There was unani-
mous decision by the Campus Intercollegiate Athletic
Board, Student Leadership, Faculty Senate Executive Board.
A special committee from the Senate had asked for a vote
from the full Senate which had only one dissenting vote,
and a number of outside leaders and groups were anxious
for the move.
Mrs. Gallagher moved to approve the invitation to the
University of Nevada, Reno to become a member of the Big
West Athletic Conference effective Fall, 1992. Mr. Klaich
seconded.
In answer to a question, President Crowley stated that the
stability of membership for all athletic conferences around
the country was in a state of flux, and that had been a
part of the discussion with the Campus groups.
Mr. Klaich stated he had received a copy of a letter from
the UNR Alumni Association which had unanimously passed a
resolution in favor of moving into the IA Conference. In
addition, he stated he had talked with Regent Shelly
Berkley who had expressed her support for the move.
President Crowley, in answer to a question from Mr. Klaich,
stated the cost of the move had been discussed very thor-
oughly with the various groups. The approximate $300,000
cost will be for the move for football from IAA to IA.
Since the schools in the Big West Conference are all on
the West Coast, there will be a savings in travel of about
$75,000; with the expansion of the stadium, the sale of
the luxury boxes should bring in $90,000; revenue from sale
of advertising around the stadium, $120,000; increased
revenue from NCAA, $160,000; and there should be significant
enhanced revenue from an additional 1000 fans in both foot-
ball and basketball. The additional costs for the Confer-
ence are mainly for additional scholarships and coaches.
President Crowley stated they would not use any State funds
for this move.
Mrs. Gallagher stated the pairing of the two Universities
in one Conference would please the Board, and Nevadans,
since the Board has urged such a schedule for the past
number of years. President Crowley added that by joining
the IA Conference, competition would be enhanced in all
men's and women's sports.
Regent Hammargren entered the meeting.
Mrs. Sparks noted that there seemed to be a universal
feeling in Southern Nevada that this would be a positive
move.
Motion carried on a unanimous roll call vote.
2. Approved Wolf Club at UNR to Expend Funds for Mackay Stadium
Construction
The Reno-Sparks Convention Authority has granted funds to
the Board of Regents for partial funding of the Mackay
Stadium expansion at UNR. A contract for the construction
has been executed by the Wolf Club to expend these funds
for this purpose.
The Chancellor and General Counsel had recommended that
the Board authorize the Wolf Club to expend the funds
granted to the Board by the Reno-Sparks Convention Author-
ity for the purpose of the Mackay Stadium expansion, sub-
ject to a periodic accounting of the funds expended.
Mr. Klaisic explained that the expansion is funded for the
most part by private funds, and that after completion, it
would be turned over and become the property of the Board.
Mrs. Whitley moved approval for the Wolf Club to expend
the funds granted to the Board by the Reno-Sparks Conven-
tion Authority for the purpose of the Mackay Stadium ex-
pansion, subject to a periodic accounting of the funds
expended. Dr. Derby seconded. Motion carried unanimously
on a roll call vote.
The meeting ajourned at 5:30 P.M.
Mary Lou Moser
Secretary of the Board
08-01-1991