Rogers halts future gifts to schools

CARSON CITY -- Chancellor Jim Rogers said Friday that his decision to suspend any future donations to the eight-campus system of higher education is not punishment but a reaction to what he said were inappropriate comments from one regent.

"If I gave a million dollars to a project and then said I wanted it back, that would be punishment," he said. "Any commitment I've made will go forward. But it will be very difficult for us to look at new requests at any of the eight institutions. I'm not going to pay to have you bloody my body."

The impact of the decision was felt immediately at the University of Nevada, Reno, where discussions about a $3 million contribution were in progress, Rogers said.

The decision to end further contributions to the Nevada System of Higher Education was the result of comments by Regent Ron Knecht, who Rogers said questioned his integrity in an evaluation in June.

Rogers said his family was outraged by the comments and made the decision to suspend further contributions after another spat with Knecht at the Board of Regents meeting last week in Reno.

Knecht sought support from his fellow regents to curtail some of Rogers' powers as chancellor at the meeting, an effort that did not succeed.

Knecht admitted his evaluation of Rogers was tough with the expectation the chancellor would take the comments constructively.

"Apparently, it was not received that way," he said.

From the first meeting he served as a member of the regents, Knecht has expressed appreciation for all Rogers has done for higher education in Nevada.

As his evaluation said, Rogers needs to be reminded he works for the board, not the other way around, Knecht said.

Knecht called it "illogical and immature" for Rogers to suspend any donations because that harms students, faculty and the higher education system as a whole.

Rogers said it is coincidental that the decision not to make further contributions came at a time when the family was discussing a $3 million donation to the University of Nevada, Reno, for a science and math building.

It could have just as easily have come during a contemplated contribution to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas or some other campus, he said.

"I told Milton (Glick, president of UNR), there will be no more donations from us," Rogers said. "Not only to UNR, but to the whole system."

Rogers, the wealthy owner of television stations in several western states, said he accepts legitimate criticism from members of the board or anyone else.

"But don't question my integrity," he said. "My whole family was outraged."

While Knecht is only one member of a 13-member board, he does speak as a regent when he makes such inappropriate comments, Rogers said.

"I'm not going to pay money to take a public thrashing," he said.

Craig Walton, president of the Nevada Center for Public Ethics, said the decision by Rogers to halt contributions might be a positive move in the short term while he continues to serve as chancellor.

"It appears as if he has decided to put space between himself and his philanthropic activities on the one side, and his $1-a-year job on the other side," Walton said.

Rogers actually makes about $23,600, but donates the salary back to the system.

"For the time being, it's a sensible thing," Walton said. "Whenever he finishes his work as chancellor, he can reconsider this."

By suspending contributions he eliminates any suggestion that gifts were made in exchange for campus officials acquiescence, Walton said.

"It's probably a constructive thing to clear the air," he said. "I don't interpret it as spiteful."

Rogers acknowledged he has been at times mercurial as chancellor, coming to the system from the business community rather than academia.

In January, Rogers, owner of Sunbelt Communications, quit as chancellor in a dispute with Regents Chairman Bret Whipple and Regent James Dean Leavitt. He later rescinded his resignation.

Rogers also reversed a pledge to UNLV but later changed his mind. It involved a $25 million gift initially pledged to UNLV's capital fundraising campaign in 2003.

In August 2004, he briefly took back the pledge, arguing the Legislature was not adequately supporting Nevada State College. He said the development of the state college was necessary for the success of UNLV. He later renewed the pledge that September.

In his evaluation, Knecht said Rogers micromanages the eight campuses.

"In short, the contrast between his proclaimed hands-off principle and the reality of his behavior undermines completely his claims, made since his public interview with the board to be appointed interim chancellor, to supreme integrity and being a stickler for honesty and forthrightness," he said in his six-page evaluation.

While Rogers has reacted specifically because of comments he made, Knecht said, the chancellor has had run-ins with many other regents.

Knecht said his criticisms of Rogers are not personal, a claim that Rogers rejects.

Rogers said the constant, on-going attacks by Knecht are an effort to get him to quit as chancellor. But Rogers said he will not do so, opting instead to respond by suspending donations to the system.