The latest legislative funding proposals for Nevada’s rural community colleges will do serious harm to the economic development work now employed through a partnership between Northern Nevada Development Authority and Western Nevada College.
Saturday’s committee vote in the Nevada Legislature would result in a General Fund cut of 11.42 percent in the budget of Western Nevada College. This comes on top of more than 27 percent in reductions over the past five years, which led to a significant loss of academic programs, faculty, staff, and services.
“Nevertheless, we have scrambled to take the hit and serve our students,” said WNC President Carol Lucey. “That we have pulled this off at all is truly remarkable, and a testament to a dedicated college faculty and staff.
NNDA has worked closely with the college to help it provide prepared employees for Western Nevada manufacturers, nurses for local hospitals, police officers for local agencies, office workers for local businesses, and technical experts for state agencies.
“The Sierra Region of Nevada is blessed to have an outstanding college that is willing to develop and add curriculum based on business need,” said Rob Hooper, Executive Director of the Northern Nevada Development Authority. “We have tremendous growth potential and without the full complement of WNC’s ability every Nevadan will suffer.”
Lucey said that it is hard to fathom why now, with state financial viability finally within sight, the smallest colleges are being dealt the biggest financial blow.
“There are some who think that the smallest community colleges, indeed those responsible for the most creative jobs skills development programs in the state, should once again take another hit.” said Lucey, “There is only one label for this kind of thinking. It is insane.”
Ironically, WNC graduated its largest class ever with over 500 students on Monday of this week. Even with these strong numbers, current and future students will face fewer classes along with fewer programs and services. If the proposed new reductions are not reversed the availability of the skilled workers that Nevada needs will be reduced.
“Regional employers have been demanding a skilled workforce and to slow down the engine that creates them is sending the train backwards,” says Hooper.
Nevada cannot ignore the opportunity to respond to the needs of our business community.
— Lee Bonner is the communications manager for the Northern Nevada Development Authority.