Nevada colleges watch for serious student issues

Neither the University of Nevada, Las Vegas nor the College of Southern Nevada, the two largest colleges in Nevada, have plans to implement similar "threat assessment teams" as other universities across the nation have.

But the two campuses have assembled, or are in the process of assembling, committees and detailing procedures to handle a variety of student problems, officials said.

Disciplinary proceedings at the two colleges are handled internally, by "conduct officers" at UNLV and people in similar roles at CSN. Those proceedings dealing with student behavior that is either criminal or violates university policy can lead to a student's expulsion.

At UNLV, officials have made it easier this year for students with mental health issues to temporarily withdraw from school for several years without suffering financial consequences.

At CSN, officials are looking at forming a committee to deal with non-disciplinary issues, according to Bradley Gruner, a clinical psychologist and coordinator of the college's counseling and psychological services department.

That committee,, would work with students struggling with paying for college, students who experience slumping grades or other non-criminal, but troubling, behavior.