UNLV rally opposes cuts

More than 200 UNLV students and faculty members joined in a Thursday rally against Gov. Jim Gibbons' proposed budget cuts, the first such event on the campus intended to get students riled up about an issue that primarily been led by regents and Chancellor Jim Rogers.

"They've been fighting for us," said Jeremy Houska, president of the Graduate and Professional Student Association at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. "We needed to step up."

Student leaders, faculty and state Sen. Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, who is also a political science professor, had choice words to say about the cuts and Gibbons. The governor was caricatured as "Governor Grinch" in an advertisement for the rally.

"We've got to send a message to the governor that cutting the higher ed budget is just a damn dumb thing to do," Titus said, to much applause.

Students had collected 4,000 petition signatures by the noon rally, and students and faculty members lined up to sign a lengthy, 2-foot-wide scroll that will be sent to every college and university in the state for others to sign.

The scroll eventually will be sent to the governor.

Gibbons has asked for the higher education system to come up with a plan to cut its budget by 8 percent in light of expected state revenue shortfalls.

Student leaders started coordinating a response to Gibbons after they were blasted by regents and Rogers during last week's Board of Regents meeting for being apathetic toward the cuts.

"My thought was to motivate these guys, to get them off the couch and get them to speak up," said Regent Steve Sisolak, who attended the rally and said he was happy with the turnout.

The protests, which started Wednesday at Nevada State College, will continue at every other college and the University of Nevada, Reno, student leaders said. College of Southern Nevada students will hold a similar rally to collect petition signatures next week, on Thursday.

Students at Western Nevada College, UNR and Truckee Meadows Community College are organizing a protest today at the state Capitol building.

Gibbons spokeswoman Melissa Subbotin said the governor was "absolutely" listening to students' complaints.

"We certainly encourage students to participate in the process," she said.

Even though at least 200 students and faculty members attended the UNLV rally, several students expressed disappointment at the turnout.

"We always want to see more," Houska said. "This is dead week, or study week (for finals), so for that reality, I think it's pretty good."

Students took over an open microphone and voiced displeasure with the proposed cuts in a rare political display on the typically apathetic campus.

"This is an insane idea," one said.

"Power to the students," another said. "Let's not stand for this!"

Students also were protesting fee increases that could be instituted at UNLV and UNR.

But the administration at both institutions have advocated for sharp fee hikes, regardless of whether Gibbons decides to cut the higher education budget.

"The university is so concerned with getting more minorities," freshman political science major Irene Zepeda said after signing the petition. "But raising fees will only keep them out and make it less affordable. It's just not fair."

Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0440.