Committee to hear arguments against cutting UNLV programs

To cut $9 million from its budget, UNLV's leaders plan on cutting programs.

A list of those that might be cut was circulated at the university last month. It included seven programs, a language center and eight subprograms.

A committee will make recommendations to President Neal Smatresk, who hopes to have a plan by next month.

In the meantime, the people who run the programs will go before the committee to argue their cases.

They are all expected to point out how vital their programs are, not only to UNLV, but to the Las Vegas community.

Take informatics. The hybrid program was launched three years ago. It trains students to integrate information technology with another field, such as business. The program's leaders say there is a dire need for such professionals locally.

Or women's studies. The leaders say it's one of the only programs on campus whose foundation is based on equality and inclusiveness. They also point out it's a relatively low-cost program.

Or landscape architecture, which backers contend is vital because it trains people in one of the fastest growing fields for employment.

Or gerontology, which studies human aging from a sociological perspective. That program offers a certificate for students who generally major in something else but want to specialize in issues surrounding the older population.

Program Director Ann McDonough said it becomes more vital as the area's elderly population increases.

"There's an aging tsunami coming to the state of Nevada," she said.

She said the program serves as a hub for services to the aging in the area.

Or look at the marriage and family therapy program, which offers master's degrees for students who want to enter clinical practice.

Colleen Peterson, director of the Center for Individual, Couples and Family Counseling at the university, said there are no other programs like it in the Las Vegas area. It has 33 students and has admitted 18 to 20 more for next fall.

She said there is already a shortage of mental health professionals locally. If it were to go away, where would trained counselors come from?

On top of that, she said, the center she directs offers low cost counseling for people in need. That center, which already has a waiting list because such services are hard to come by locally, might disappear with the program.

Contact reporter Richard Lake at rlake@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0307.