Meeting minutes for Consolidated Student Senate, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, September 08, 2003

University of Nevada, Las Vegas Student Government Office of the Senate President Michael J. Amesquita Jr. STUDENT SENATE MEETING 33-27 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2003 MSU 201, 6:00PM „ I. CALL TO ORDER Peter Goatz Senate President Pro Tempore Business H. Rachael Wagner Liberal Arts Nikki Flintier Education Ryan Cianci Liberal Arts Chester Corpuz Business Josh Goihl Business Sherry Snyder Business Nicole Sunstrum Education Mark Ulep Engineering Xevin Mullinax Sine Arts Holly Nye Fine Arts Lisa Soldano Health Science Aaron Arneson Hotel Administration D us tin Crawford Sciences Sherrelle Blood Urban Affairs Gin a Marie Nissen Urban Affairs Betty Thompson Education Eric Anderson Liberal Arts Nick Heeg Hotel Administration David Langhaim Student Development ROLL CALL III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE IV. ANNOUNCEMENTS V. INFORMATIONAL ITEM: Rebel Service Council Advisor Jen Hladun VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 33-26 f-O V ' f-0n - 1 C . . c r c ; d _ _ rn,n r-o OO —1 ; O < m r - p , m Lo ^ 0 - a 0 « - cn J ^ a r r i ZS ''—'Ju1r:m -. nO^ 0c o >• 0"n.- — <,i VII. BOARD AND COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Senate Committee Reports B. Faculty Senate/University Committee Reports C. Business Manager Reports D. Directors' Reports CSUN Service Director - Anisa Izzolo Entertainment and Programming Director - Jeff Long Office of Student Information Director - Jesse Taylor Rebel Radio Director - Joshua Greenrock r*be!radio - ed* Nevada Student Affairs - Jeanine Tegano -Please see Attachment 33-27.01 Elections Director - Laurie Evans Publications Director - Angela Powers E. Liaison Reports Greek Advisory Multicultural Student Affairs Residence Hall Association Student Athletics Student Body President's Advisory Student Health Advisory Committee ROTC LAB i f a - 2 VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT f u n i c s svut/ / U * r t f W * / & , vgA , sriwu *MtA 4tv4.it ; f'A" ulf W\ d d x fa k \ CONSOLIDATED STUDENTS • UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA A M W K V U ^ J U ^ A - C ^ ' -F 4505 MARYLAND PARKWAY • LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89154-2009 • (702) 895-3645 • FAX (702) 895-4606 — IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Action Item: Discussion/ Approval of Resolution 33-03 regarding the placement of semi-permanent structures to be placed on the north field. As submitted by Senator Mullinax. (See Attachment 33-27.02) B. Action Item: Nomination/Selection of one student to serve as a Senator for the College of Student Development. As submitted by Senate President Amesquita. C. Action Item: Discussion/Approval: of Sarah Patton to serve as Rebel Radio Assistant Advertisement Director, for a term ending April 30th, 2004. As submitted by Senator Mullinax. D. Action Item: Discussion/Approval of Rachel Wagner to serve as the Nevada Student Affairs Assistant Director for a term ending April 30th, 2004. As submitted by Senate President Pro Tempore Goatz. E. Action Item: Nomination/Selection of two (2) students to serve on the Faculty Senate Academic Standards Committee. As submitted by Senate President Amesquita. F. Action Item: Nomination/Selection of three (3) students to serve on the Faculty Senate Admissions Committee. As submitted by Senate President Amesquita. G. Action Item: Nomination/Selection of one (1) student to serve on the Faculty Senate Campus Affairs Committee. As submitted by Senate President Amesquita. H. Action Item: Nomination/Selection of two (2) students to serve on the Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee. As submitted by Senate President Amesquita. I. Action Item: Nomination/Selection of one (1) student to serve on the Faculty Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee. As submitted bv Senate President Amesquita. J. Action Item: Nomination/Selection of one (1) student to serve on the Faculty Senate General Education Committee. As submitted by Senate President Amesquita. K. Action Item: Nomination/Selection of two (2) students to serve on the Faculty Senate Scholarship Committee. As submitted by Senate President Amesquita. X. NEW BUSINESS A. Action Item: Discussion/approval of amount not to exceed $3,500,000 for the co-sponsorship of the "Homecoming 2003" event to be held October 13l-18th. Cost to be encumbered from the CSUN 2702 FY03-04 Senate Discretionary account. As submitted by Senate President Pro Tempore Goatz. (See attachment 33-27.03) B. Action Item: Discussion/ approval of the sponsorship agreement for Alloy Marketing for $1,000.00. As submitted by Senator Arneson. C. Action Item: Discussion/ approval of moving $1,000.00 received irora the Alloy Marketing sponsorship from the CSUN 2702 General account to the Entertainment and Programming (Tailgate) account. As submitted by Senator Arneson. D. Action Item: Discussion/ approval of the contract for Unwriten Law for "Rebel Ruckus" on October 17, 2003. As submitted by Senator Arneson. E. Action Item: Discussion/ approval of the contract for Dubcat for "Rebel Ruckus" on October 17, 2003. As submitted by Senator Arneson. F. Action Item: Discussion/ approval of the contract for Over the Line for "Rebel Ruckus" on October 17, 2003. As submitted by Senator Arneson. G. Action Item: Discussion/approval of Fredrick Conway, Joshua Goihl, Rachael Wagner, David Walker, Chris Ho, Millie Harrington, and Dawn Barry to serve on the-2003/2005 CSUN Elections Board. H. Action Item: Discussion/ approval of Jessica Adler, Sherrelle Blood, David Borst, Terry Crawford, Frederick Conway, Angela Flores, Josh Goihl, Justin Montafto, Lisa Saldano, Mary Lin Taing, 4da Tajain, and Rachael Wagner to serve on the Nevada Student Affairs board until April 30, 2004. As submitted by Senate President Pro Tempore Goatz. I. Action Item: Discussion/ approval of Sean Driscoll, Derrick McCloud, Tasean Young, Jennifer Ehlers, Sean Holmquist, Maria Baugh, Rachael Wagner, Rodrick Boyd, Fredrick Conway, Josh Goihl, Scott Lenga, and IdaTajatn to serve on the Entertainment and Programming board until April 30, 2004. As submitted by Senator Arneson. J. Action Item: Approval/Disapproval of Senator Nye to sit on the Constitutional Revisions committee for the remainder of the session. As submitted by Senator Cianci. K. Action Item: Approval/Disapproval of Senators Nissen and Ulep to serve on the Rules and Ethics committee for the remainder of the session. As submitted by Senator Cianci. L. Action Item: Discussion/ approval of Aundrea Taylor-Caldwell to serve as the CSUN Elections Director Assistant for 2003/2004 year for a term ending April 30th, 2004. M. Action Item: Discussion/approval of Kurtis Kopf to serve as the Office of Student Information Assistant Director for a term ending April 30th' 2004. XI. EXECUTIVE BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SUMMATIONS XII. GOOD OF THE SENATE XIII. ADJOURNMENT Posted in accordance with Nevada Open Meeting Law (N.R.S. 241.000) at the following locations: Moyer Student Union, Frank & Estella Beam Hall, Flora Dungan Humanities, and the Classroom Building Complex. (ATE PRESIDENT SENATE SECRETARY MICHAEL J. AMESQUITA KRISTA M. DONNELLY UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA LAS VEGAS To: Mike Amesquita, Sen. President Cc: Monica Moradkhan, Student Body President Nick Christensen, Student Body Vice-President From: Jeanine Tegano, NSA Director Subject: August Board of Regents Report Attached is a summary of the Regents Meeting held on August 14-15 in Reno. Please include in the next Senate agenda, so that the Senators are informed of the events that took place. Board of Regents Meeting Summary: August 14-15,2003 Submitted by: Jeanine Tegano, NSA Director The following report is a summary of relevant events and issues that came from the Board of Regents Meeting on August 14-15, 2003 in Reno at the University of Nevada, Reno: PRESIDENTS' REPORTS Each UCCSN president presented a report to the Board on their individual campus' efforts to the Quality Education goal of the UCCSN Master Plan. During each meeting over the course of the year, the presidents will address a different goal of the Master Plan • Nevada State College President Kerry Romesburg said NSC has addressed this goal by focusing on outcomes and assessment for students, and has adopted ability-based learned assessment models to achieve this. President Romesburg said they have based these models on those used by Alvemo College, and have selected three outcomes to address-critical thinking, community, and citizenship, which have been incorporated into every course on campus. He said every course will have key performance monitors that students will be well aware of. He also said that the faculty has been reorganized to better address these outcomes since faculty is driving the project. President Romesburg also said that students will be required to develop a portfolio to track their progress in these areas. • University of Nevada, Reno President John Lilley said UNR is also dealing with assessment. He said that UNR's strategic planning process is aimed at increasing the learning experiences available to its students, and that performance indicators have been identified to measure the degree of success in meeting these goals at the program and institutional levels. President Lilley said UNR is also developing a learning outcomes assessment plan designed to improve the quality of academic and students services and to address accountability needs such as regional and specialized accreditations. This assessment plan will require each academic program and student service program to design and implement a plan that measures their students' performance outcomes. The plan also calls for collecting information via alumni surveys, faculty surveys, and other measures to better understand the quality of education at the university and to develop ways to improve it. • President Killpatrick said GBC's educational assessment occurs through assessing research and planning, and incorporating these plans into its classes and programs. He said GBC has conducted focus groups to solicit student feedback and distributed alumni surveys to assess quality of education. He said the overall goal is to use multiple methods to measure achievement, which plays an integral role in providing access to quality education. President Killpatrick also said the college will address workforce needs and efficient campus planning and accountability. • President Remington said CCSN's immense growth has placed a huge burden on CCSN's facilities and that CCSN is in desperate need of new facilities to accommodate growth and students. He said he wanted to work with the Board and the System to develop innovative ways to provide facilities. President Remington said this growth has allowed the college to develop out of balance and without the support staff that would allow the quality they want to provide. Some items he noted that would improve quality included bolstering safety and security; developing core library facilities; and expanding student services offerings. President Remington then addressed current practices at CCSN that support the goal of quality education, which he said is the keystone of the CCSN Office of Student Retention and the entire CCSN campus. Some notable activities include peer assistance; early warning systems to identify students having difficulties in class; and outreach services. He also said the college has developed a number of assessment activities that measure outcomes related to quality, service, and student success. • President Ringle said quality education is at the heart of what TMCC does, and they recognize the need to keep student learning at the core of its mission. He said that TMCC does this in a variety of ways, including developing strong program outcomes and program review processes; offering the first-year experience program QUEST that boasts a persistence rate of 83 percent; awarding faculty grants to provide classroom support; enhancing the role of the department chairs; improving the full-time to part-time faculty ratio; developing performance indicators to evaluate goals; and strengthening developmental education programs. • President Harter said UNLV is focused on insuring students' educational experiences are of the highest quality. One way to achieve this, she said, is to make UNLV student-centered. She said UNLV has created a new student orientation process, more flexible class schedules, and advising centers in many colleges, and has increased the use of technology to enhance student learning and retention. She also said UNLV aims to become a premier metropolitan research university while continuing to meet the needs of 26,000 students with high-quality programs that reflect its commitment to teaching and research as the primary means of gaining and imparting knowledge. President Harter said they are attempting to do this by developing new programs that serve state needs; enhancing honors education; implementing professional programs and community service requirements; establishing a university college that addresses the needs of students interested in an interdisciplinary focus; streamlining its core curriculum; and enhancing the graduate experience and research presence. • President Wells said DRI is addressing the goal of quality education through advising, teaching, and student involvement in research. For example, DRI faculty teach all classes in UNR's top-ten ranked graduate program of hydrologic sciences and the UNR atmospheric sciences program. He said DRI's annual investment in graduate and undergraduate education has grown to $1.1 million, a 70 percent increase over the past three years. President Wells also said students participate in unique DRI research, coauthor papers, and make presentations at professional meetings. • Western Nevada Community College President Carol Lucey said WNCC's strategic goals all support the UCCSN Master Plan. President Lucey said WNCC's specific goals to increase the number of full-time degree-seeking students by 300 percent by 2006, improve student access, and improve Northwest Regional Commission recommendations all support the Master Goal of quality education. She added that many of the activities related to WNCC's strategic plan have already been implemented, LIQUIDATION OF UNRESTRICTED QUASI-ENDOWMENT ACCT. #2675-319-9681, UNLV President Harter received Board approval to liquidate an unrestricted endowment to fund a portion of the Science, Engineering and Technology Building that was approved recently by the legislature. UNLV must fund a portion of the building in order for the additional funding to be received. According to Title 4, Chapter 10, Section 4 of the Handbook, no withdrawals from the Endowment Fund other than to fund the spending amount are permitted without the Board's approval. The funds generated by this endowment provided student scholarships, and President Harter said the source of funds for these scholarships has been replaced by alternate institutional resources. Regent Hill expressed concern over converting scholarship money into a capital improvement project. President Harter said the Board previously approved the endowment to support future programs at UNLV, not just scholarships, and that at this time, they want to change the focus of how these funds are used. ACTION/PERSONNEL DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS APPOINTMENT, UNLV President Harter received Board approval to appoint Mike Hamrick as UNLV's director of athletics. Mr. Hamrick's three-year contract runs through June 30, 2006 and he will earn $190,000 the first year, $200,000 the second year, and $210,000 the third year. He is also eligible for bonuses for academic progress, which are based on criteria developed by the NCAA for Division 1 athletics. He will also receive two cars; 12 tickets for all sporting events; a county club membership for donor cultivation; and travel for his spouse to certain events and with prior presidential approval. President Harter said the contract was reviewed thoroughly by Assistant General Counsel Walt Ayers, and that much of the contract details involve NCAA compliance issues. Mr. Hamrick most recently served as director of intercollegiate athletics at East Carolina University since 1995. He has also served as athletic director at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock from 1990 to 1995 and in several assistant athletic director positions throughout his career. He began his career in athletics administration working as an intern at UNLV in sports promotions and marketing. Mr. Hamrick addressed the Board and said that under his leadership East Carolina University has had no major NCAA violations, has doubled its athletics budget, doubled season football ticket sales (to 17,000), and increased single-game attendance significantly. ACTION/PROPERTY HANDBOOK REVISION, STUDENT UNION AND RECREATION CENTER FEE, UNLV President Harter and Dr. Rebecca Mills, vice president for student life, requested Board action to approve assessing fees to support the renovation and expansion of the Moyer Student Union and construction of a new student recreation center. At the March meeting, President Harter requested approval of fees to support the renovation and expansion of the Moyer Student Union and construction of a new student recreation center. She stated that the students want to enhance the quality of campus life and have become more interested in how they can help provide facilities to improve the student community. She added that the state does not build student unions, parking garages, or recreational centers. Those funds have to come from student fees and donations. Although the Board supported the concept of the buildings they did not approve the method in which the facilities would be funded. President Harter indicated that she understood and appreciated the Regents' concern, and asked the Board to approve her request with the following amendments: • Approve the proposal in concept. • Wait until the May or June Board meeting to determine the financial situation and potential tuition issues. • Bring back a series of options relative to part-time and full-time students. The Board approved this request. At this meeting, Regent Mark Alden requested that this item be split into two discussions—one regarding the construction of the Moyer Student Union, and one regarding the recreation center. Regent Alden said the latter of the two needed more discussion, and would be better served if that discussion was held in Las Vegas when students, parents, and other interested parties would be present. He then made a motion to move forward on renovation of the student union building, and to delay discussion of the recreation center until the next meeting. Molly Scott, a member of the Rebel Renovation Committee, said the committee has gone throughout the campus to talk to students to gauge their opinion of the increase in fees to fund these items. She said they had received no complaints, but rather only positive comments from groups throughout campus, including the undergraduate and graduate student associations. Ms. Scott also said students are anxiously awaiting the result of the Board's vote, and are wondering why there has been such a delay. Ms. Scott also said students are awaiting a bright and promising future, and that these buildings are essential to the growth of UNLV. Monica Moradkhan, president of UNLV's undergraduate student association, said both projects were student initiated and supported because of the desire to create a community-based environment on campus. She said several focus groups and surveys were administered to a variety of groups throughout campus, and said that she has not received one complaint about an increase in fees. She said the UNLV student body has a vision to make university life better and wants to invest in its future. She said the fees are needed to meet the needs of a rapidly growing student body, and in order to make UNLV more competitive throughout the nation. Ms. Moradkhan also said that she did not want to separate these two items, and would like the Board to take make a decision at the meeting. Regent Douglas Hill said that while he agreed the fees would be a burden to some of the students, he hoped that the Regents would consider the benefits that these buildings will provide to the campus. He added that the college experience is more than just getting an education, and that the entire experience should be considered when making this decision. Regent Linda Howard said that from her research, she did not believe these projects were a high priority among many of the students she spoke with. She said that many students are more concerned with getting the classes they need and graduation with the correct amount of credits. Regent Howard also said that she was concerned as to how these new fees would affect students who need financial aid to attend school. Regent Seastrand asked what the actual demand for a recreation center on the UNLV campus is, or what the actual demand at UNR is. He also wanted to know if it was feasible to make a smaller building that would require less fees, and therefore lessen the impact on students. Dr. Shannon Ellis, vice president for student services at UNR, said that approximately 2000 students out of 15000 use the center at a cost of $50 per year. She also said faculty and staff can use the facility for $175 per year. Regent Jack Lund Schofleld spoke against separating the two items, and encouraged the Board to pass both motions. The Board voted on Regent Alden's motion to separate, and that motion failed. The Board then voted to table the discussion of this topic until the October meeting, which will be held in Las Vegas and would allow more interested parties to address the Board, which passed. Later in the meeting, Regent Tom Kirkpatrick made a motion to reconsider the decision to table discussion. He said that he had learned that tabling the discussion would delay the project for up to a year. He added that interest rates on bonds were at an all-time low, which may not be the case if this is delayed. The motion to reconsider passed. Regent Hill then moved that the Board approve the project in full, under the following fee schedule: Moyer Student Union Fee (Per Semester) January 2004 $23 Fall 2004 $48 Fall 2005 $59 Fall 2006 $65 Recreation Fee (Per Semester) Year 1 $31 Year 2 $68 Year 3 $81 Year 4 $90 The Board approved this motion. HANDBOOK REVISION, MILLENNIUM SCHOLARSHIP: POLICY AND PROCEDURES The Board approved revisions to Title IV, Chapter 18, Section 18 of the Handbook regarding Millennium Scholarship policies and procedures. The revisions were necessary in order to comply with the provisions of Senate Bill 503 (Chapter 471, Statutes of Nevada 2003) enacted during the 2003 session of the Nevada Legislature. SB 503 revises the minimum qualifications for receipt of a Millennium Scholarship in order to extend the life of the program and make it more competitive among students. At the current rate, funding for the program will be exhausted by 2006-2007. These exact changes are shown below: • Current high school freshman or sophomores must achieve a 3.1 GPA rather than the current 3.0. • Students who will be college or university freshman in fall of 2003 will need to graduate from high school with a 3.25 GPA . • Student must have a college GPA of 2.6 to continue in the program, as opposed to the 2.0 currently in place. • The eligibility term will be reduced from eight years to six years in order to keep the program in place until 2011 or 2012. Laura Miganovich, from the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, addressed the Board and requested that the System study the impact of raising the GPA requirement has on minority students and their ability to secure the scholarship. She said this was needed so they can review the data collected and then address it if necessary at the next legislative session. Dr. Richard Curry, vice chancellor for academic, research, and student affairs, noted that the stury was to be undertaken. INFORMATION REPORT ON 2003 LEGISLATIVE SESSION Chancellor Nichols presented a report on actions taken by the 2003 Nevada Legislature, including the final budget and legislative bills of interest to the UCCSN. She also outlined future directions for the UCCSN in preparation for the 2005 legislative session. Chancellor Nichols first highlighted some bills that affect the UCCSN. These include: • AB 9: Fee waivers for Nevada National Guard. • AB7: Nevada Commission on Minority Affairs. • AB 8: Allocation of $45,000 for Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology Center and $250,000 for SOM Residency Program . • AB 11: AHEC/SOM bill to enhance service to rural Nevadans . • AB 313: Committee on Health Care Subcommittee - need UCCSN representative. • AB 353: Student Privacy Notice - currently being implemented. • AB 441: Board must ensure two defibrillators at event centers by July 1, 2004 - currently being implemented. • AB 555: Pay Bill, which gives two percent COLA on July 1, 2004 and allows increase in grades of university police officer classification based upon salary review. • SB 309: Board must make report on strategies for teaching participatory democracy. Chancellor Nichols said several items of note came out of the session: • K-12 and higher education worked together, had the support of Gov. Kenny Guinn, and gained despite a difficult fiscal climate. • Nevada higher education increased its funding while many other states lost funding, with Nevada being the only state to witness double-digit increases. • Nevada's enrollments continue to increase from year to year. Many other states raised tuition by higher amounts and had enrollments that remained steady or declined. • Nevada's budget will increase 24 percent from 2001-2003 to 2003-2005, with a budgeted enrollment growth of about seven percent each year, or 14.4 percent overall. Historically, actual enrollments have outpaced budgeted enrollment. Additionally, formula funding has been raised from 81 percent to 84.5 percent in the first year of the biennium, and 84.1 percent in the second year. • Expenditures from the estate tax fund ($89 million) have been moved to state general fund. • The System is now able to spend in-state fees in excess of budgeted amounts without permission of the Interim Finance Committee. • The legislature showed significant support for capital projects, even though the System only received two new buildings: UNLV's Science, Engineering and Technology Building (35 million) and CCSN's Health Sciences Building (19.7 million) for a grand total of 88 million. • Nevada State College had its budget cut significantly, and will fall under budgeted formula in 2005. The Chancellor also gave the Board an update on Assembly Joint Resolution 11, which proposes amending the Nevada Constitution to provide for the election of certain members of the Board and the gubernatorial appointment of others. It also states that the Board would consist of nine members, with one elected from each congressional district, and the remaining members appointed by the Governor. Expiration of the four-year terms will be staggered every two years for elected and appointed members. This resolution will return for consideration during the 2005 Session of the Nevada Legislature. If the measure is adopted in identical form during the 2005 Session, it will be placed on the ballot for consideration by the people of Nevada, after which the resolution will become effective on January 1, 2008, for the purposes of nominating and electing members from each congressional district, and on January 5, 2009, for all other purposes. The Chancellor also said that the System made several promises to the Legislature, including doubling nursing enrollment; funding athletic fee waivers to address gender equity at UNLV, UNR, and CCSN; and continuing to implement the Master Plan with emphasis on accountability and sharpening of institutional missions, and considering offering selected baccalaureate programs at CCSN. She also noted the legislative scrutiny the UCCSN is undergoing and the questions being asked of the System. These include: • Committee to Evaluate Higher Education Programs o Do programs meet educational needs of NV? o Do our programs ensure economic progress and development in NV? o Are new programs needed and, if so, can funds be reallocated to support these new programs? o Are student fees and state appropriations efficiently distributed internally? o Recommend to the Board of Regents and the legislature such action as may be needed for the efficient and effective operation of UCCSN. • Legislative performance audit of: o Cost of athletic programs o Cost of administration o Capital construction projects o Host accounts o Validity and reliability of enrollment data o Policies and procedures for the generation and distribution of investment income o Contracting and bidding procedures, including construction, retrofit and repair projects and the use of "shared savings" programs for utility costs o Statewide programs Chancellor Nichols also outlined several tasks the System will be completing before the next session. These include: • Drafting a letter of intent regarding a cost-neutral, revised taxonomy for formula funding. • Conducting an operational study of business centers north and south to improve efficiency and eliminate redundancy. • Completing a faculty workload study. • Considering potential bills, such as fee reimbursement for state prisoners, Public Works Board relationship, and health insurance for employees • Prioritizing needs and establish budget requests for 2005 legislature. • Setting tuition and fees for fall '05 and fall ' 06. • Participation in the ACT Pilot Project and Remedial Task Force. • Showing progress on part-time faculty salaries. • Implementing Technology Task Force recommendations. The Chancellor also provided some insight into the 2005 legislative session and the challenges that it will provide: • Political climate uncertain. • Revenue from new taxes uncertain. • Need to provide evidence of benefits from money invested in higher education: o Doubling nursing enrollment o Educating/graduating more students o Providing support for economic growth • Need to build constituency to support higher education. • Estate Tax income disappears, creating state general fund deficit of about $90 million. • Growth in higher education expected to continue with Millennium Scholarships and increases in high school graduation rate, college-going rate, adult participation rate, and overall population. • Nevada is number one in rate of population growth with 183,000 new Nevadans from 2000 to 2002. • Nevada is number one in rate of increase in high school graduates, projected to be 71 percent by 2012 . The closest state is Arizona at 38.9 percent. • UCCSN projected to grow by 60 percent from 2002 to 2010, making Nevada number one in growth. • Pressures on our institutions to provide workforce training and applied research continues. • Master Plan will provide accountability and vision, which will continue to drive higher enrollment. • Are there other steps we can take to ensure efficiency and effectiveness? o Credits to degree o National Forum on College-Level Learning o American Diploma Project o Clear institutional missions o Collaborations between institutions AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/ADMISSIONS POLICIES General Counsel Thomas Ray provided an overview of recent United States Supreme Court opinions, Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger, and how they affect current UCCSN admissions policies. Both cases involve constitutional challenges to the consideration of race in the University of Michigan's law school and undergraduate admissions programs. General Counsel Ray said the Supreme Court held that there is a compelling interest in attaining a diverse student body, and therefore race may be considered as a factor in admissions decisions. With this ruling, he said, the Supreme Court upheld the law school's admissions program but struck the undergraduate admissions program and found it was not sufficiently narrowly tailored to meet federal legal requirements. General Counsel Ray said the UCCSN's current admissions policy conforms with federal law and these recent decisions, and therefore he did not recommend any changes at this time. MILLENN