UPDATE: Turnout high as spring tuition hike denied

December 4, 2008 by Haley Etchison 

Further action needed in budget battle say regents, students

Concerned UNLV students can breathe a sigh of relief, at least for now.

The Board of Regents decided Thursday not to raise tuition in the spring 2009 semester as

students dressed in scarlet and gray filled the ballroom in the Stan Fulton Building to capacity.

The Board was set to decide on financial plans for the Nevada System of Higher Education and the possibility of a 25 percent tuition increase in the spring. Although the spring tuition hike is out of the picture, regents will discuss the possibility of a Fall tuition hike when their meeting resumes today.

Supporters waved signs bearing the image of Hey Reb! or phrases such as “Save our education!” and raised their voices in a unified demonstration of support and enthusiasm throughout the meeting’s public comment section.

Speakers addressed the chancellor and the Board of Regents as well as their peers.  Business Sen. David Rapoport began his address with what is becoming his trademark throwing down of petition papers.

He called for recognition of the massive support from the student body of the initiative aimed at countering the proposed tuition hike and demanded ideological change in budgeting.

“No longer does it work to ride the back of the entertainment industry,” he declared, adding that the regents have the power to make right choices regarding higher education finances.

There was a recurring call from speakers for the board to acknowledge the power and determination of Nevada’s college students.

“To whoever proposed the 25 percent increase, you have awoken a long, long sleep from the monster of the student body,” warned Senate Vice President Matt Cutler.

Kyle George, representing the Graduate and Professional Student Association noted that he was also speaking on behalf of all students.

“We are here today to [give] elected officials the knowledge that we’re watching you,” he said.

“We are the customers of this institution and we will be treated as

Student Body Vice President Vik Sehdev bypassed the regents and spoke directly to the crowd of students, rallying students for the fight to come.

“Now we go bigger,” he told the students in attendance.

“We go faster and we go stronger.  So put on your seatbelts and let’s go!”

The regents commended the students for an effective presentation for their cause.

“[The comments] have been informational, professional and emotional…You’ve done a great job,” said Chancellor James E. Rogers.

Regent Cedric Crear added an anecdote of student involvement from his own alma mater, Howard University.

“In 1989- and I’m not telling you what to do, I’m just stating a fact of history…  the students took over the [administration] building.”

Crear continued, “They protested the appointment of a trustee member of the board. Not raised tuition, not budget cuts.”

“That’s how much people cared about their education. That’s how much you should care about your education as well,” he said. “They won.”

“But do not go and take over the A-Building,” he added, eliciting laughter from those in attendance.

Regent Steve Sisolak voiced encouragement for the movement and urged students to contact state government officials.

“Burn up their answering machines, burn up their fax machines,” he said.

To mention of contacting Gov. Jim Gibbons, a voice from the student audience responded, “The governor’s office doesn’t care.  They laugh at you when you call.

Vice Chair Howard Rosenberg responded, “Mr. Sisolak is right.  You burn up their fax machines and they may say they don’t care.  They do.  Trust me.”

He added, “No one on this board wants to raise your tuition.”

Larry Warkentin, fire safety program officer for the risk management and safety department reflected the regents’ sentiments of respect for students’ boldness and determination.

“You students presented yourselves with great decorum,” he said. “As a parent, I would be proud.”

Students that came to the meeting concerned and angry left seeming optimistic about the effects of their actions.

“I’m happy,” said Alfonso Reiz, commenting on regents’ reactions to students’ statements.

Reiz is finishing his first semester at UNLV after transferring from CSN.

He continued, “UNLV has given me so much, so many opportunities, and I don’t want to see that change.”

“I think the enthusiasm from the students is great and I think we’re just going to build on that in the future,” said liberal arts Sen. Adrian Viesca.

“We still have to do a lot more,” reminded Sehdev.  “We have a long way to go.”

Jorge Labrador contributed to this report.