Nevada College Of Agriculture -- We’re Probably There For Now (But Continued Work Needed)
By: Doug Busselman, Executive Vice President
After almost two months of meetings (with several being held on a back-to-back basis) it would seem that a final agreement has been made with “final” being as much as the process will allow until after the Board of Regents take their action in June. With cuts that come in about $3.9 Million and the arrangements in the works to eventually take that level of reductions to $4.5 Million – the College of Agriculture will remain a College and not be incorporated into another College at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Getting to this point hasn’t been easy or painless and wouldn’t have been possible without the on-going willingness of UNR’s Administrative team (President, Dr. Milton Glick and Provost, Dr. Marc Johnson in particular) to make themselves available for discussion and building common ground. Acting Dean for the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources (CABNR), Dr. Ron Pardini and his staff have also contributed greatly to engaging Nevada’s agricultural interests and providing for an interchange of ideas and opportunities for creating a framework structure to advance into the future. The supporters of CABNR and the diverse group of stakeholders involved in the discussions/planning, led by co-chairpersons Louis Test and Gail Kosach, also played a very dynamic role in pressing for a solution that included the College of Agriculture staying a College.
There is reason to be pleased with the progress, but still plenty of work that will be required in order to take the framework from concept to practice. Nevada agriculture cannot walk away now thinking that the objectives have been accomplished…the goal met. The focus must still be on pressing for relevant Nevada agricultural education and applied research programs. Expanding the relationship-building work that has been done so far needs to bring researchers to the ground and into direct contact with the state’s farmers and ranchers, making the necessary connections which can bring about research and demonstration projects that assist Nevada agricultural producers to become what they need to advance to become.
Nevada agriculture needs to figure out and find ways of being more supportive (financially and otherwise) in attracting the necessary resources (dollars, person-power, etc.) to make these educational and research programs possible.
One of the items on the list of things to do involves development (in the future) a plant science and horticultural program. Having spent several unsuccessful Nevada legislative sessions in trying to get such a program off the ground, alternative methods need to be considered to bring about a start to such an endeavor.
Nevada agriculture and the Nevada College of Agriculture cannot be content to maintain a status quo, believing that what we have is all there should be. With the framework and motivation in place, we have to consider ourselves fortunate to still be in the game and now focused on advancing from where we are to where we need to be going.
After almost two months of meetings (with several being held on a back-to-back basis) it would seem that a final agreement has been made with “final” being as much as the process will allow until after the Board of Regents take their action in June. With cuts that come in about $3.9 Million and the arrangements in the works to eventually take that level of reductions to $4.5 Million – the College of Agriculture will remain a College and not be incorporated into another College at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Getting to this point hasn’t been easy or painless and wouldn’t have been possible without the on-going willingness of UNR’s Administrative team (President, Dr. Milton Glick and Provost, Dr. Marc Johnson in particular) to make themselves available for discussion and building common ground. Acting Dean for the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources (CABNR), Dr. Ron Pardini and his staff have also contributed greatly to engaging Nevada’s agricultural interests and providing for an interchange of ideas and opportunities for creating a framework structure to advance into the future. The supporters of CABNR and the diverse group of stakeholders involved in the discussions/planning, led by co-chairpersons Louis Test and Gail Kosach, also played a very dynamic role in pressing for a solution that included the College of Agriculture staying a College.
There is reason to be pleased with the progress, but still plenty of work that will be required in order to take the framework from concept to practice. Nevada agriculture cannot walk away now thinking that the objectives have been accomplished…the goal met. The focus must still be on pressing for relevant Nevada agricultural education and applied research programs. Expanding the relationship-building work that has been done so far needs to bring researchers to the ground and into direct contact with the state’s farmers and ranchers, making the necessary connections which can bring about research and demonstration projects that assist Nevada agricultural producers to become what they need to advance to become.
Nevada agriculture needs to figure out and find ways of being more supportive (financially and otherwise) in attracting the necessary resources (dollars, person-power, etc.) to make these educational and research programs possible.
One of the items on the list of things to do involves development (in the future) a plant science and horticultural program. Having spent several unsuccessful Nevada legislative sessions in trying to get such a program off the ground, alternative methods need to be considered to bring about a start to such an endeavor.
Nevada agriculture and the Nevada College of Agriculture cannot be content to maintain a status quo, believing that what we have is all there should be. With the framework and motivation in place, we have to consider ourselves fortunate to still be in the game and now focused on advancing from where we are to where we need to be going.
Posted by Doug Busselman at 4/27/2010 11:03 AM 
Categories: Agriculture
Tags: College of Agriculture closing Nevada University of Nevada Agriculture
Categories: Agriculture
Tags: College of Agriculture closing Nevada University of Nevada Agriculture
Excerpts and responses from Regent candidates in the Reno Gazette Journal.
Opening Remarks
Mark Feest: Addressing the budget shortfall requires prioritization focused on 1) Nevada’s unique economy and competitive advantages, 2) growth industries, and 3) critical needs and services. Ex: Iowa crop research won’t work as well for Nevada as UNR research. However, Iowa can teach a “History and Culture of Pizza” course just like the one at UNLV. Agriculture is an economic driver, how we feel about pizza is not.
Candidate 2: Believes that it is empowering to rural Nevada that there is now “a plan to keep the College of Agriculture in existence to some degree . . .”
Candidate 3: (A college Dean) said “being a regent who oversees the college where I work would not be a conflict. I’ve already gotten a legal opinion [and] if something came up that might be a conflict, I would refrain from voting.”
Feest: Regents hire the chancellor, approve budgets, etc. Should a staff member have hiring and salary authority over their boss? Wouldn’t every budget item approved decrease funds available for her program?
Reporter’s Questions
“Where should higher education find additional money other than the state general fund?”
Candidate #2: “higher education needs more state-based funding . . .”
Candidate #3: “We need a (state) revenue that is consistent . . .” [not subject to reductions along with other budgets paid for by general funds]
Mark Feest: “[By focusing] on programs that are important to local industries, local industries will want to lend support.” When the system is “driver of the economy, and as a value to the state, [the public] will be more willing to put money in.”
“How will you ensure the quality of higher education in light of budget cuts?”
Candidate #2: “K-12 and higher education representatives need to present a united front in the next legislative session so they aren’t pitted against on another for available funds.”
Mark Feest: A $3 billion shortfall with respect to current spending in expected for the next budget. Taxes need to be raised 4 times more than the largest tax increase in Nevada’s history just to meet current spending.
Candidate #3: “The regents must listen to the presidents at each of the institutions as well as the faculty and the student body and, presumably, those individuals have all worked together to develop plans.”
Mark Feest: The stakeholders mentioned are important , but they fail to represent most of Nevada’s residents. The primary concerns of these parties likely include good class schedules, minimal rate increases, and no salary cuts. Fortunately, Nevada elects regents to represent everyone.
Mark Feest: To represent you a regent must 1) recognize you are the third stakeholder, 2) understand that the system’s funding mechanism is not sustainable, and 3) realize that if education is an investment, then the public expects a return. Vote June 8, 2010 for a candidate who will serve rural Nevada.
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