Nevada colleges empowered to drop students for nonpayment

It's now official across the Nevada System of Higher Education — fail to pay your fees and get dropped from your class.

A policy update approved unanimously on Friday by Nevada's Board of Regents grants community colleges and universities the power to drop students for nonpayment, a practice that already was widely embraced without the state's backing.

The change was proposed after system staff spotted inconsistencies in NSHE rules which only gave Nevada State College the ability to drop students who fail to meet their financial responsibilities. Other institutions — like the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and the College of Southern Nevada — did not have that power.

At CSN — where officials already follow the practice — dropping students for nonpayment can actually lighten their payment load because they won't face the same fees again when they register for subsequent terms, school officials said.

"It's not a new practice," said Camille Naaktgeboren, faculty senate chair at CSN. "The (college) has done this and, really, it's a benefit to the students."

The update also removes language that prevents NSC students from getting a grade if they're dropped on or before the last day of a term because it contradicts the school's current practices, which are lenient with some who face exigent circumstances.

The revision was requested by Crystal Abba, NSHE's vice chancellor for academic and student affairs. It takes effect immediately.

Contact Ana Ley at aley@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5512. Find her on Twitter @la__ley.