As a longtime Nevadan and professor of biology at Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) I write to you, my fellow Nevadans, to share with you why I am such a strong believer in passing Question 1.
I worked in Nevada’s higher education system for over two decades, I was elected by my peers at TMCC to serve as their Faculty Chair, and later served as the statewide President of the Nevada Faculty Alliance. I saw up-close how dysfunctional and disconnected the bureaucratic central Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) is and it was concerning.
For an agency that oversees a $2 billion taxpayer-funded budget – and a $28 million budget just for the central office – that is meant to be invested in educating our students and for future generations to prosper, there is little to no transparency and accountability in place for how those dollars are spent. A quick google of the NSHE Board of Regents will spotlight the history of corruption and government waste that has spewed for years.
We have the power to change this by voting Yes on Question 1.
I firmly believe that Yes on Question 1 will strengthen Nevada’s higher education system by bringing transparency and accountability through independent audits. The ballot measure is common-sense and non-partisan. If approved, independent audits will be implemented to reduce government waste and ensure our taxpayer dollars are invested wisely. This education measure also modernizes the governance system, while protecting Nevadans’ right to vote by not changing elections or duties of regents.
There is little doubt that the Nevada System of Higher Education is a troubled organization that needs oversight and reform. The treatment of previous Chancellors and the selection of new Chancellors has been alarming, current and past Regents have engaged in comments and behaviors that are completely contrary to the standards of an education system, and decisions that directly affect the ability of institutions to meet their responsibility to students and local communities are very often compromised for political agendas that serve the interests of a few at the expense of many.
Neighbors have asked me if I worry this is a power grab from the South and the answer is NO. I wouldn’t support it if it were. I can assure you there is no president, professor, or administrator of a community college or university in the State of Nevada who feels as if they are getting ahead under the current system – it truly impedes the success of everybody – but together we can change it for good.
Nevada’s current higher education system is antiquated and outdated. It holds Nevada back neglecting our students, businesses, and community at-large. Every state except Nevada has adopted reforms to strengthen education outcomes, boosting an environment more friendly to workforce and economic development, all while ending government waste.
Yes on Question 1 provides greater oversight, accountability and transparency so we can save taxpayer dollars through eliminating waste, fraud and abuse, and doing independent audits.
History has shown that transparency, true accountability and reform of the Nevada System of Higher Education will not occur unless this ballot measure is passed. Yes on Question 1 will enhance professionalism and credibility within the Nevada System of Higher Education. Our students and the state of Nevada deserve nothing less.
I encourage all voters to vote Yes on Question 1.
Scott Huber is former state board president of the Nevada Faculty Alliance and a retired TMCC professor.
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