Nevada State College

Nevada State College
Established 2002
Type Public
President Mr. Bart Patterson
Provost Dr. Erika Beck
Academic staff
 66[1]
Administrative staff
 74
Students 3,389[2]
Undergraduates 3,389
Location Henderson, NV, USA
Campus Suburban
Colors Black and Gold
Mascot Scorpion
Website www.nsc.edu

Nevada State College (NSC) is a four-year public college located in Henderson, Nevada, and is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). The college opened on September 3, 2002, and its main campus is located on a 509 acres (206 ha) site in the southern foothills of Henderson, Nevada.[3]

The college was founded as Nevada's first state college.[4]

Nevada State College has around 3,300 undergraduate students from a wide variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In terms of minority or underrepresented students at NSC, close to 20% of the student body is Hispanic/Latino, 11% is Black or African American, 10% is Asian, and 2% is Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. The college's average student age is 29, and 61% of its students attend part-time. The vast majority of Nevada State College's students are from Nevada.[2]

Nevada State College's enrollment as a whole has grown from 177 students in 2002 to 3,389 in 2012 making it one of the fastest growing institutions of higher education in the country on a percentage basis.[5] During this period, however, some of Nevada State College's programs suffered from lower than expected enrollments.[6] However, enrollment for 2010 increased by 23.3% compared to the year before.[7][8]

Nevada State College's six-year graduation rate in 2010 was 21%, a roughly 10% increase from its 2008 six-year graduation rate.[9] From 2004 to 2010, 1214 students have graduated from NSC, over 500 of them earning nursing degrees.[10] Approximately 45% of Nevada State College's students are first-generation college students. An equivalent percentage are members of racial or ethnic minorities.[11]

Campus activities and organizations include student government and a student-run newspaper, The Scorpions Tale. Nevada State College does not currently have any varsity sports teams, but it offers a few club sports.[2][12] The school's colors are black and gold and its mascot is a scorpion.

History

In 1999, the Nevada Legislature created the Advisory Committee to Examine Locating a 4-Year State College in Henderson, Nev.[13] In December 1999, the Nevada Board of Regents approved the establishment of Nevada State College.[13]

In February 2000, the committee recommended that the new institution be named Nevada State College at Henderson. The committee members determined that Henderson should be part of the official name as they felt additional state colleges would be created in the state in the future.[14] Later that month, the Henderson City Council, after having evaluated several potential sites, voted to locate Nevada State College on a site northeast of Lake Mead Drive and Boulder Highway that was to be part of The LandWell Company’s Provenance master-planned community.[15] In March, James Rogers, owner of several television stations who would later become chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education, agreed to chair the college’s foundation.[16]

Opponents of the creation of Nevada State College feared at the time that its creation would take resources from UNLV.[17] However, proponents of the college argued that the “proposed college would be up to $3,000 cheaper than educating them at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The savings would come from smaller salaries for professors, who would teach four classes (per semester), rather than the three or fewer taught by UNLV professors.”[18]

In April 2000, the Board of Regents voted 8-3 to begin negotiations for the Boulder Highway / Lake Mead site despite some concerns that the site was located near a permanent toxic waste storage facility. The original site of the college, first proposed in 2000 and located on approximately 300 acres northeast of Lake Mead Drive and Boulder Highway near downtown Henderson[19] raised environmental concerns as it was located approximately one mile from a toxic waste storage facility,[20][21] which prompted the Nevada Board of Regents in 2001 to select the college's present day site[22] located west of U.S. Highway 95 in what was once the Wagon Wheel Industrial Park.[23] [24] In June 2000, the Regents requested $5.2 million for start-up costs for the campus and $7 million for instruction costs for its first cohort of students in 2002-03 as well as $43.5 million for capital construction which was to include a library.[25] Nevada Gov. Guinn’s 2001-2003 executive budget, which was developed later in 2000, reduced the Regents' request by recommending "$22.8 million in state funding, 6.8 million to open it to 1,000 full-time students in the fall of 2002, and $16 million to help construct the first campus building.”[26]

Nevada State College opened in 2002. The college acquired accreditation, moved with its master plan for a 509-acre (2.06 km2) campus, and its first permanent building, the Liberal Arts and Sciences building, opened in August 2008.[27] In 2008 Nevada State College launched a campus-wide recruitment and retention initiative. Between the Spring 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters, Nevada State College increased enrollment by over 20%, to over 2,600 students.[28]

As of the end of spring 2008, Nevada State College has graduated 16% of the full-time students who registered as freshmen in fall 2002, and 11% of 2003's incoming freshmen. A graduation rate of 16% is one-third that of California’s public state colleges. School officials characterize the rate as low, and are launching programs to increase student retention.[29] The average six-year graduation rate for colleges in the United States is 57%.[30]

Budget Cuts and Student Protests

Among the different educational institutions of the NHSE, the largest 2009 budget cuts by the state legislature were for Nevada State College at 24.1%. Neighboring College of Southern Nevada had its budget cut by only 4.9%.[31]

Nevada State College budget cuts could have resulted in larger class sizes, fewer available classes and construction project delays. This has led to student protests.[32] According to NSC officials, budget cuts have left student services understaffed,[33] and about 25% of the university's teaching and administrative positions will be left vacant in 2008.[34] The university has laid off an undisclosed number of staff in 2008 as a cost-saving measure. These layoffs could hurt student services such as counseling and financial aid.[35] According to Nevada State College's late President Dr. Fred Maryanski (1947–2010), budget cuts were implemented in a way that avoids reducing class offerings.[36]

On May 10, 2008, Nevada State College held its fifth graduation ceremony. During the ceremony, officials referred to NSC as a small but growing college of roughly 2,000 students. Graduating students recognized the role that the faculty played throughout their college careers and the connection they felt to Nevada State College.[37]

In August 2008, the Las Vegas Review Journal reported "Officials there are considering more drastic reductions as the newbie in Nevada's higher education system faces the prospect of more state-mandated budget cuts. The school's president warned Tuesday that the cuts will probably mean fewer classes available, which could mean some students will lose financial aid or take longer to graduate... Gov. Jim Gibbons has proposed cutting next year's budgets by another 14 percent." NSC officials have also formed a committee to consider whether to hold back a part of each unit's operating budget for a mid-year review and impose a credit surcharge on student tuition.[38]

In January 2010, students initiated the "myNSCstory" campaign as a response to proposed budget cuts and tuition increases. The campaign involves handwritten notes from students, accompanied by photos, sent to state officials. Over 10% of the entire student body participated.[39]

The Nevada System of Higher Education, faces a $900 million budget deficit. Due to budget cuts, there have been proposals to close down Nevada State College along with other NHSE programs and schools.[40]

Due to state budget cuts, there have been proposals to close down Nevada State College.[40] However, in March 2010 members of the Board of Regents expressed their continued support of Nevada State College despite budget cuts.[41]

Campus

Nevada State College’s 509-acre site is located at the base of the McCullough mountain range in the southeastern corner of Henderson.[42] The site was conveyed from the Bureau of Land Management to the city of Henderson in November 2002 as part of the Clark County Conservation of Public Lands and Natural Resources Act of 2002.[43][44]

The college opened its first permanent building, the Liberal Arts & Sciences Building, on its 509-acre site in August 2008.[27] The 42,000-square-foot (3,900 m2) building has faculty offices, labs and seven classrooms. The building includes SMART classroom technologies which allow professors to use a wide array of audio and visual teaching techniques, and scientific equipment for educational use.[45]

In addition to the Liberal Arts and Sciences Building, the college leases three buildings, one of which is located near the main campus site (the Dawson Building), and the other two buildings are located on Water Street in downtown Henderson (Basic & Water I & II).[46]

On-going Campus Planning Activities

In 2010, the Nevada Board of Regents approved the college's campus master plan, which calls for the development of roughly six million square feet of academic, residential, retail, and cultural space by full campus build-out in order to accommodate 25,000-30,000 students.[42]

Sustainability Initiatives

As it relates to sustainable planning and design, NSC's campus master plan is informed by three central goals: (1) achieve operational carbon neutrality, (2) become a model of sustainable development for the city, county and region, and (3) enable the campus to serve as a learning and training tool for topics related to sustainable development.[42]

Organization and Administration

Current Leadership

Budget

The 2011-2012 institutional operating budget is $14,196,481,[48] which represents an approximately 14% reduction from the college's 2010-2011 institutional operating budget of $16,164,734.[49]

Academics

NSC's Board-approved mission is to provide "educational, social, cultural, economic and civic advancement to the citizens of Nevada. To this end, the college addresses the state’s need for increased access to higher education through teaching practices and support services that promote the success of its largely first-generation, low income, under-represented student population. Nevada State College places special emphasis on meeting the state’s need for highly skilled, well-educated teachers and nurses and offers a wide range of baccalaureate degree programs grounded in the liberal arts and sciences."[50]

Accreditation

In August 2011, Nevada State College received independent accreditation at the baccalaureate degree level from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities approved NSC as a Candidate for Accreditation in July 2006. Since July 2006, Nevada State College has filed two comprehensive self-study reports with the Commission, and has undergone three comprehensive on-site visits by the Commission. Since 2002, Nevada State College has been operating under the accreditation of the University of Nevada, Reno.[51]

Tuition and Financial Aid

For the 2014-2015 academic year, Nevada residents will pay $148.50 per credit for tuition, plus student fees.[52] Nevada State College offers financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans.

Degree Programs

NSC offers 26 bachelor degree programs and 16 minors. Some of the college's bachelor degree programs include: Biology (B.S.), Business Administration (B.S.), Elementary Education (B.A.), English (B.A.), Environmental and Resource Science (B.S.), History (B.A.), Integrated Studies (B.S.), Law Enforcement (B.P.A.), Management (B.A.S.), Nursing (B.S.), Psychology (B.A.), Speech Pathology (B.A.), and Visual Media (B.A.). Some of the college's minor programs include: Biology, Business, Communication, Counseling (Addiction Treatment and Prevention), Ethnic Studies, and Gerontology.[53]

In the Fall of 2008, Nevada State College launched Nevada’s first bachelor of science degree in the education of the deaf and hard of hearing. The program addresses the deaf culture and its integration of deaf students into specific subject areas.[54]

Nevada State College also partners with Touro University to accommodate students in Occupational Therapy. Through the partnership, students complete three years of their bachelor degree in Occupational Therapy Science at Nevada State College, then transfer to Touro University for the final two years.[55]

Faculty

As of the latest IPEDS Diversity Report, Nevada State College’s full-time faculty is 34.2% ethnic/racial minorities which is the highest percentage of all of the Nevada System of Higher Education institutions.[56]

Student Enrollment

NSC enrolled 177 students in the fall of 2002; in the fall of 2010, the college enrolled 2,988 students.[57] For the fall of 2011, NSC enrolled 3,167 students, which represents a year-over-year six percent increase in student enrollments.[58]

Degrees Awarded

From 2004 (the first year in which students were eligible to graduate from NSC) to 2010, the college has graduated 1,214 students with the majority of degrees being awarded in the fields of nursing and education.[59]

Academic Units

The college's academic programs are housed in one of three schools: the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the School of Education, and the School of Nursing.[53]

References

  1. ↑ "Nevada State College - NSC at a Glance". Nsc.edu. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-university-search/nevada-state-college
  3. ↑ "Nevada State College - About Nevada State College". Nsc.edu. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  4. ↑ http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2002/sep/03/nevadas-first-state-college-opens-its-doors/
  5. ↑ http://chronicle.com/section/Almanac-of-Higher-Education/723/
  6. ↑ sgold7211 (2008-02-14). "University cuts, Las Vegas Sun, Feb 13, 2008". Lasvegassun.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  7. ↑ Nevada State College Faces Possible Closures, CBS Channel 8 website. http://www.8newsnow.com/global/story.asp?s=12008480&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lasvegasnow%2Fiteam+%28LasVegasNow+-+I-Team+Reports%29 Accessed February 19, 2010.
  8. ↑ Review-Journal http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/budgets-shrinking-enrollments Accessed March 24, 2010.
  9. ↑ http://www.nevada.edu/ir/page.php?pid=grdrate
  10. ↑ Nevada State Braces for Budget Cuts, Review Journal. http://www.reviewjournal.com/jane-ann-morrison/nevada-state-college-braces-budget-cuts-or-worse Accessed February 19, 2010.
  11. ↑ Nevada State Braces for Budget Cuts, Review Journal. http://www.reviewjournal.com/jane-ann-morrison/nevada-state-college-braces-budget-cuts-or-worse
  12. ↑ http://nsc.edu/157.asp
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Patton, N. (2000, January 30). First step for Henderson college: Find campus site. Review-Journal, p. 1A". Reviewjournal.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  14. ↑ "Whaley, S. (2000, February 5). School name recommended. Donrey Capital Bureau, p. 1B". Reviewjournal.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  15. ↑ "Flanagan, T. (2000, March 1). Henderson picks site for college. Review-Journal, p. 1B". Reviewjournal.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  16. ↑ "Patton, N. (2000, March 24). UNLV donor to lead foundation for proposed college. Review Journal". Reviewjournal.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  17. ↑ "Patton, N. (2000, April 6). Henderson college faces crucial regents vote. Review-Journal, p. 6B". Reviewjournal.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  18. ↑ Patton, N. (2001, January 4). Report urges state to fund new college. Review-Journal, p. 8B.
  19. ↑ "Flanagan, T. (2000, March 1). Henderson picks site for college. Las Vegas Review-Journal, p. 1B". Reviewjournal.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  20. ↑
  21. ↑ "Whaley, S. (2000, April 7). Regents vote to negotiate for land. Las Vegas Review-Journal, p. 1B". Reviewjournal.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  22. ↑ Miller, V. (2001, March 26). Proposed college gets a new home on old studio site. Las Vegas Business Press, p. 1.
  23. ↑ "Whaley, S. (2001, March 22). Lawmakers to hear pitch for college site. Donrey Capital Bureau, p. 1B". Reviewjournal.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  24. ↑ Whaley, S. (2000, April 7). Regents vote to negotiate for land. Donrey Capital Bureau, p. 1B.
  25. ↑ Vogel, E. (2000, June 24). Henderson funding irks some regents. Donrey Capital Bureau, p. 1B.
  26. ↑ Whaley, S. (2001, March 22). Lawmakers to hear pitch for college site. Donrey Capital Bureau, p. 1B.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 http://www.ktvn.com/Global/story.asp?S=8858497 Nevada State College Moves to New Building
  28. ↑ Las Vegas Review-Journal http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/budgets-shrinking-enrollments Accessed March 24, 2010.
  29. ↑ James Estevez. "Henderson college’s grad rate disappoints". Lasvegassun.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  30. ↑ "Placing College Graduation Rates in Context" (PDF). National Center for Educational Statistics. p. 15. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  31. ↑ hawaiiborn. "Faculty, professional staff shielded from furloughs". Lasvegassun.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  32. ↑ "Nevada State College students rally against cuts Las Vegas Review Journal, Dec 6, 2007". Lvrj.com. 2007-12-06. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  33. ↑ knowsthetruth (2008-07-30). "Rogers calls off fishing trip, but keeps up the discussion". Lasvegassun.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  34. ↑ "Budget cut talks turn into reality". Kvbc.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  35. ↑ "Colleges keeping layoffs secret". Lasvegassun.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  36. ↑ Las Vegas Sun http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/mar/20/regents-umbrella-will-help-shield-system/ Accessed March 24, 2010.
  37. ↑ Clark, D. (2008, May 21). Nevada State grads celebrate. South Valley Home News, p. 11A.
  38. ↑ "STATE-MANDATED BUDGET CUTS: College looks at more savings". Lvrj.com. 2008-08-06. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  39. ↑ Fox5 News.
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Virgil Sestini (2010-02-03). "Regents’ options to cut higher education are all grim - Las Vegas Sun News". Lasvegassun.com. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  41. ↑ Las Vegas Sun. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2010/mar/20/regents-umbrella-will-help-shield-system/ Accessed March 24, 2010.
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 Nevada State College. (2010, March 2010). Nevada State College Campus Master Plan. http://nsc.nevada.edu/MPDraft.asp
  43. ↑ Miller, V. (2002, November 11). College gets land, needs cash. Las Vegas Business Press, p. 1.
  44. ↑ Clark County Conservation of Public Land and Natural Resources Act of 2002 (PL 107-282, November 6, 2002)
  45. ↑ Hsu, C. (2008, March 15). College’s first permanent building to meet many needs. Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved June 20, 2008 from http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/mar/15/colleges-first-permanent-building-meet-many-needs/
  46. ↑ "Nevada State College: Buildings & Grounds". Nsc.nevada.edu. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  47. ↑ "Nevada State College: About NSC". Nsc.nevada.edu. Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  48. ↑ "Nevada State College Operating Budget FY 2011-2012" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  49. ↑ "Nevada State College Operating Budget FY 2010-2011" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  50. ↑ "Nevada System of Higher Education 2011-2014 Planning Report Institutional Academic, Research and Student Service Plans" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  51. ↑ Lake, R. (2011, August 14). Accreditation is a dream come true for Nevada State College. Review-Journal, p. 1B.
  52. ↑ Nevada State College website. http://nsc.edu/4200.asp
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 "Catalogy 2011 - 2012 Nevada State College" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  54. ↑ Clark, D. (2008, June 4). Nevada State College to train teachers of deaf. Henderson Home News, pp. 6A.
  55. ↑ Master’s degree now required for therapists. Green Valley Henderson View. (2007, September 4). Retrieved from
  56. ↑ 2007 Nevada Education Data Book. Retrieved from
  57. ↑ "Nevada System of Higher Education Fall Headcount - Unduplicate Enrollment Historical Enrollment Trends Fall 1986 through Fall 2009" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  58. ↑ "Preliminary Enrollment Report - Fall 2011 Nevada System of Higher Education Student FTE" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-10-23.
  59. ↑ "Nevada State College Degrees Conferred, Comprehensive Winter 2010" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-10-23.

External links

Coordinates: 35°59′14″N 114°56′20″W / 35.987248°N 114.938847°W