CSN Foundation embraces new funding formula

As students throughout Nevada head back to campus for the new academic year, it is my pleasure to report a positive development in the ongoing discussion of state financial support for higher education. At long last, the College of Southern Nevada may see equity in state funding.

As you may or may not know, for the past 20 years CSN - the largest publicly funded college in Nevada - has received the least amount of state funding per enrolled student. It is noteworthy that CSN President Michael Richards and the members of his administrative staff have been able to achieve such successful academic outcomes with such little financial support.

On Aug. 29, the Legislative Committee to Study the Funding of Higher Education, chaired by state Sen. Steven Horsford, recommended a revised formula for approval by the Nevada Legislature in early 2013. This new formula sensibly shifts the funding emphasis away from the actual number of students attending college and toward the number of students who complete college course work.

The previous formula, in place for more than 20 years, based funding allocations on the number of students enrolled in each institution. The more students, the higher the funding.

However, in reality, colleges and universities in Southern Nevada subsidized their smaller peers in the north, leaving a significant imbalance at CSN and resulting in lackluster student support services. The new formula more equitably distributes funds to all of the state's higher education institutions according to their mission, size and academic performance.

While the new formula wisely increases the simplicity and transparency of education funding, using a common set of metrics and allowing for mission differentiation, it does shift dollars away from smaller institutions in the north. A plan is currently under review by Gov. Brian Sandoval that requests additional funding to mitigate the loss to these mainly Northern Nevada institutions. We strongly urge the governor to consider this additional offset, so that our sister colleges and universities in the north are not negatively impacted by these proposed reallocations.

As the CSN Foundation applauds the work of the staff and faculty and seeks to persuade decision-makers and funders of the critical role the college plays in the vitality of our state and our city, we are reminded of the reason we do what we do. Recently, the Foundation played host to a group of students currently attending CSN classes who are recipients of a variety of generous corporate scholarships, spearheaded by the Foundation's development work.

Each student shared remarkable stories of struggle and challenge followed by persistence and success. Perhaps no story was more moving and relevant than that of Ben Jantzen.

A former international flight attendant for United Airlines, Ben was happily engaged in an exciting travel career when a split-second turn of events changed his life forever. Severely injured in a backyard trampoline accident, he was left permanently paralyzed from the shoulders down.

Now residing at a nursing and rehabilitation facility adjacent to CSN's Cheyenne campus, Ben began to frequent Russell's Restaurant. When he inquired about disability assistance that would allow him to return to school, he was excited to discover help was available through the federal Pell Grant program, which allowed him to pursue an Associate of Arts degree.

Proudly and with the generous assistance of the MGM Mirage-Hites Education Endowment Fund scholarship, in May of this year Ben graduated CSN with a 4.0, the highest honor. He is now enrolled at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in pursuit of bachelor's degrees in history and political science, all leading to his pursuit of a law degree and a future career in politics.

I urge you to contemplate these and other stories of CSN students facing daunting challenges who have risen above, found their voices and are pursuing their academic dreams. Help us make those dreams a reality for the Ben Jantzens of our great state. Become a supporter by visiting csn.edu/giving or calling 702-651-7924.

Peter O'Neill is the chairman of the board of the CSN Foundation and the corporate director of public relations at R&R Partners.