August 13-14, 1954
08-13-1954
Volume 7 - Pages 60-62
UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA
REGENTS MEETING
August 13, 1954
The special meeting of the Board of Regents, called to consider
further the needs of the University in budget form, was called
to order by the Chairman in the President's office at 10:25 A.M.
on Friday, August 13, 1954. Present: Regents Hardy, Crumley,
Grant, Lombardi, Ross, Comptroller Hayden and President Stout.
University Editor Laxalt and reporters Burns and Friel covered
the meeting.
Needs of the University in Budget Form
In presenting the needs of the University for the biennium
1955-57, the President called attention first to the need
for an increased amount for salaries. He recommended that
the amount be set at 15% over the last biennium. He further
recommended that the increased amount to used for adjust-
ments in salary brackets and in individual salaries where
justified to meet the competition in the various areas and
to enable the University to pay its staff more nearly what
is paid by other Land Grant and State Universities.
It was unanimously agreed that the President's recommendation
be approved, and that the budget for the biennium include a
15% increase for salary adjustments.
Mr. Hayden then took the Regents through the proposed budget
by Departments and Divisions of the University. Various
items were discussed with the Regents, as they desired.
The meeting recessed at 12:20 noon for luncheon.
The recessed meeting was called to order by the Chairman at 2:05
P.M. with all Regents, the Comptroller and the President present.
The same reporters covered the afternoon session, with the addi-
tion of Mr. Bennyhoff.
Discussion of the needs of the University continued, with
definite suggestions by the Regents being noted for consider-
ation of the Administration and the Deans. It was informally
agreed that the total increase over the last biennium should
be about $1,500,000.
Las Vegas Correspondence
Chairman Ross called attention to letters and telegrams which
he had received from individuals and organizations in Las
Vegas requesting that the University extend it facilities in
Southern Nevada. The Regents expressed themselves as being
in favor of meeting in Las Vegas to consult with these people
in view of the fact that there were so many requests. It was
agreed that, since this would not be an official meeting of
the Board of Regents, each Regent would pay his own expense.
Following discussion on the Las Vegas program, it was the
opinion of the Board of Regents that a statement covering
the position of the University should be made. At the re-
quest of the Chairman, President Stout prepared the follow-
ing statement, which was unanimously adopted by the Board of
Regents and released to the Press:
STATEMENT
At its meeting today the Board of Regents of the Uni-
versity of Nevada reviewed the development of its branch
in Las Vegas. This extension of University services was
begun in 1951 following a law passed by the Legislature
permitting Las Vegas to establish a Junior College. This
law was declared unconstitutional by the Attorney General
who said the only State program of higher education that
could be offered in Nevada had to be supplied by the Uni-
versity of the State.
In an attempt to meet this demand for higher education
by a section of the State, the University extended its
services in this manner, as it has in other ways, and
established a branch in Las Vegas, with a small budget
set aside for operation. The 1953 budget, as submitted
and approved by the Legislature, included an item for
the Las Vegas branch which called for the sum of $34,000.
During the first year of that biennium, 1953-54, a number
of classes were taught in facilities provided by the Pub-
lic School System of Las Vegas.
During the Summer of 1954 there was a request that addi-
tional services be extended to the extent that teachers
in that area who needed to meet certification require-
ments but who because of family or other responsibilities
could not leave that area for a period of time, might
receive appropriate instruction in Southern Nevada. The
University, therefore, set up a special Summer Session
for teachers with the hope of attracting about 50 teach-
ers. The response was far above expectations, as there
were over 180 enrolled. It might be of interest that
the Summer program was self-supporting.
In the same vein, during the second semester of the year
1953-54, there were increased requests from people in
that area that the program conducted by the University
in Southern Nevada should be expanded to enable them to
take a broader program of subjects which would permit
them to do the equivalent of the Freshman year. Investi-
gations by the University showed that some 67 high school
students would attend such a program if it were offered.
(It is of interest to note here that only 6 of those
students felt that they could go elsewhere to College
if the program were not offered by the University of
Nevada. In other words, 61 would not attend College
at all if the program were denied.) The University is
attempting to meet this demand from a portion of the
people of the State and thereby enable them to obtain
training beyond what the State now offers them.
To date there have been no commitments by the Board of
Regents or officials of the University to the effect
that a site will be acquired or a building built. In-
stead, those responsible for the administration of the
University are feeling their way in this area, as they
are in other areas where people who wish to attend
classes of higher learning are making similar demands.
In summary, it may be said that it is the desire of the
University of Nevada to meet the needs and demands of
the people of the State who furnish the funds that
operate the University of Nevada. Any further develop-
ment of the program in Southern Nevada will depend upon
the expressed needs of the people in that area as evi-
denced by their enrollment and completion of courses
offered, and by the financial ability of the University.
The meeting adjourned at 5:40 P.M.
The next meeting was set at the call of the Chair.