SOCIAL, POLITICAL AND LEGISLATIVE
Social
Population projections for Clark County: About 2 million now; About 2.28 million by 2010; About 2.7 million by
2015 and 3.05 million by 2020. We had 47,000 in 1950, 708,000 in 1990 and 1.3 million in 2000.1 According to
Doug Lyon, Organization Effectiveness Administrator for Clark County, we are the only county in US that has gone
from being a town to major urban metropolis in the span of two decades.
Population projections of CCSD: 2008-09: 314,136- 319,859 students; In 2018-2019 432,772 – 473,022 students.
The Clark County School District also dropped its 2008 bond initiative to build new schools for growth and update
schools in lower-income areas, which could impact educational attainment of incoming CSN students.2
Population projects for CSN: We had 38,990 headcount in fall 2007, a 6.4 percent increase over the previous year.
At this time we have about 41,500, another 6 percent increase. Funding continues to be based on the state’s
funding formula, which penalizes lulls in enrollment growth and rewards high growth – which we have. Due to
likely double-digit budget cuts, CSN is looking at the possibility of being forced to limit the number of students it can
enroll in the future, impacting “access” mission. # of students taking loans is increasing. We have about 15 to 20
percent more borrowers this year over last, according to estimates by Peter Hurley.
Diversity
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By 2026, projections indicate that minorities will make up nearly half of Nevada’s population.
Minority students will make up more than half of the Nevada K-12 students3.
Total number of CSN full-time faculty who are ethnic/racial minorities in 2006 was 88 or 18.4 percent of
the total full-time faculty, compared to a system wide level of 16.2 percent 4. (About 30 to 40 percent of
Clark County residents identified themselves as a minority in 2006 Census – MOE impacts percentage.)
According to 2006 Census, 30 percent of Las Vegans ages 5 and older lived in households where languages
other than English were spoken.5
According to American Council on Education “Minorities in Higher Education 2008” report: The latest
generation of adults in the United States may be the first since World War II, and possibly before that, not
to attain higher levels of education than the previous generations. While white and Asian American young
people are outpacing previous generations, the gaps for other minority groups are large enough that the
current generation is, on average, heading toward being less education than its predecessor.
Nationally: More than 32 million adults in U.S. have no high school diploma. In county: 32 percent of residents
have less than a h.s. diploma.6 More than 32 million Americans are earning less than a living wage. 7 In county, 7.8
percent of families live below poverty level (10.3 percent of individuals.)
Internationally: Nine countries surpass the U.S. in the proportion of 25- to 64-year-olds who have attained a postsecondary credential.7
1
Based on projections done for the School District in 2008 by Jeremy Aguero Re: CCSD Bonding Committee
Based on projections done for the School District in 2008 by Jeremy Aguero Re: CCSD Bonding Committee
3
U.S. Census, or Przbys, John, “Changing Demographics: New Neighbors,” Las Vegas Review-Journal, May 4, 2008
4
2006-07 Diversity Report, NSHE
5
See appendix 1
6
See Appendix 2
7
“State Policies to Bring Adult Learning into Focus” CAEL/NCHEMS, 2008
7
“State Policies to Bring Adult Learning into Focus” CAEL/NCHEMS, 2008
2
Political
Federal Level: Congress will be addressing the Southern Nevada Higher Education Land Act of 2008. Expected to
be addressed in 111th Congress, 2009. Having the bill filed lays down a “marker,” according to Senator Reid. The
bill would convey about 2,400 acres of land to NSHE for UNLV (2,000 acres in NLV.) CSN would receive 40 acres for
NW Campus and GBC would receive 280 acres in Pahrump, allowing higher education to massively expand physical
presence, provided we have the funds to do so.
The NW campus would be built with a combination of public-private funds. This site will provide an environment
that offers learning, working, leisure and living to attract students, faculty, community and business partners and
incorporate out-of-the-classroom learning experiences, such as internships, externships, employment and on-site
training. CSN’s diverse student body will gain from this agreement, but the City of Las Vegas will also obtain
needed educational facilities, jobs, sales and other tax revenues as well as substantial improvements to the public
infrastructure.
Legislative: Chancellor Rogers has indicated that although state is looking at cuts (estimates go as high as 25
percent) for state agencies, Gibbons has said that should economic resources return to previous levels, he would
re-invest in higher education. However, once that happens, CSN loses credibility in community for shutting down
centers and other services and will have severe difficulty rebuilding.
 According to Josh Griffin, of Griffin/Crowley, contract lobbyist for NSHE, there is little possibility of state
tax increases of any kind resulting from 2009 session without heavy bipartisan support to override a veto.
In light of 7-8 percent (historic) unemployment rate, this is unlikely. He foresee the $1.1 billion state
deficit being handled piecemeal with some money coming from tobacco funds, SAGE Commission
recommendations and other one-shot pieces of money to come up with part of the deficit, the rest would
be made up through cuts.
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Griffin states CSN is generally regarded in the Legislature as one of the more efficient institutions.
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Griffin states biggest obstacle facing higher education is touting our value. NSHE institutions lack real
alumni/community loyalty.
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Chancellor’s letters have succeeded in convincing most state legislators that higher education is a lean
organization and created a relationship for dialogue during the session.
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NFA analysis shows balance of power shifting in State Senate, making the likelihood of new revenue
generation through taxes or other means more possible in the future.
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NFA analysis states term limits are the most important political event/issue impacting CSN now and in the
future. Twelve-year term limits will drain both legislative houses of institutional memory, remove senior
leadership and make long-term planning in higher education from the state’s perspective nearly
impossible. If CSN is successful in getting $5 million enhancement this session to address what is
estimated to be a $20 million funding shortfall compared to peer institutions, the idea that we will get
future enhancements from legislatures to address the rest of that gap is unlikely. Legislators cannot bind
future sessions to abide by past funding agreements.
NSHE: We are facing the possibility of a more fiscally conservative board. Regents Howard Rosenberg and Thalia
Dondero will not be on the 2009 board due to term-limits and will be replaced in January. Regent Steve Sisolak
might also require replacement if elected to commissioner. Regent Stavros Anthony is rumored to be running for
office in June. Their replacements would be appointed by Gibbons. Regents Jason Geddes and Bret Whipple are
currently up for re-election this November and have challengers, who are not actively campaigning. Chancellor
Rogers will also leave the system in June. For more details see:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/oct/17/newcomers-could-have-big-role-face-big-tests/
APPENDIX:
1.U.S. Census, 2006, Clark County, NV
LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME
Population 5 years and over
1,640,783
*****
English only
1,136,493 +/-12,175
Language other than English
504,290 +/-12,175
Speak English less than "very well"
241,594 +/-9,837
Spanish
357,546 +/-8,629
Speak English less than "very well"
189,458 +/-8,303
Other Indo-European languages
41,166 +/-5,187
Speak English less than "very well"
11,584 +/-2,430
Asian and Pacific Islander languages
91,150 +/-4,233
Speak English less than "very well"
35,240 +/-3,142
Other languages
14,428 +/-3,140
Speak English less than "very well"
5,312 +/-1,600
2. U.S. Census, 2006, Clark County Nevada
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
Population 25 years and over
1,168,695
+/-373
Less than 9th grade
82,297 +/-4,633
9th to 12th grade, no diploma
117,434 +/-5,738
High school graduate (includes equivalency) 372,662 +/-10,159
Some college, no degree
275,724 +/-8,358
Associate's degree
84,810 +/-4,806
Bachelor's degree
156,757 +/-6,155
Graduate or professional degree
79,011 +/-4,182
Percent high school graduate or higher
Percent bachelor's degree or higher
82.9%
20.2%
+/-0.5
+/-0.6
United States
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
Population 25 years and over
195,932,824 +/-66,369
Less than 9th grade
12,743,555 +/-68,399
9th to 12th grade, no diploma
18,502,540 +/-68,552
High school graduate (includes equivalency) 59,123,954 +/-119,818
Some college, no degree
38,185,678 +/-108,990
Associate's degree
14,486,202 +/-61,487
Bachelor's degree
33,496,187 +/-98,962
Graduate or professional degree
19,394,708 +/-81,929
Percent high school graduate or higher
Percent bachelor's degree or higher
84.1%
27.0%
+/-0.1
+/-0.1