University of Nevada President Brian Sandoval provides legislative update on higher education
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Fri, 06/09/2023 - 8:59am
On Friday June 9, University of Nevada President Brian Sandoval provided a legislative update to UNR students and alumni, which is as follows:
The 82nd session and 35th special session of the Nevada Legislature closed the state budgets this week completing a historic legislative session for higher education and our campus. Several bills affecting higher education still await action by Governor Lombardo, and we will update you when he acts on this pending legislation.
I am grateful to Governor Lombardo, our legislative leaders, and the members of the Nevada Legislature for working together to meet the needs of Nevadans and recognizing the vital role of higher education in Nevada’s future.
Here are some of the highlights of the legislative session:
University Budget
The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Budget was funded through S.B. 511, sponsored by the Senate Committee on Finance. The University of Nevada, Reno was appropriated $140,775,640 in FY24 and $114,223,863 in FY25 from the General Fund, which restores this portion of our budget to pre-pandemic levels.
Combined with S.B. 504, which authorizes student fee revenues, these two bills create the state operating budget for the University.
Cost of Living Adjustments (“COLAs”)
Although A.B. 522, the “pay bill,” passed with a COLA for classified staff of 12% in FY 24 and 4% in FY 25, and professional staff and faculty of up to 12% in FY 24 and 4% in FY 25, the legislature funded only a portion of the COLA, appropriating approximately only 64% of the total cost of the COLA.
The University is reviewing the consequences of the COLA funding shortfall and the matter will likely be considered by the NSHE Board of Regents meeting later this month. We will keep you informed on what is discussed and decided.
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
A.B. 498, which revises the retirement contribution rates for PERS and non-PERS employees, passed the Legislature and is pending on the Governor’s desk for further action. University Human Resources is completing an analysis of this bill and potential impacts to various employee groups and will provide additional information as it is available if approved by the Governor.
150 License Plate
A.B. 151 provides for the issuance for special license plates commemorating the 150th anniversary of the founding of the University of Nevada, Reno. The bill signing will take place soon and more information about the availability of these plates will be available soon.
Juneteenth Holiday
A.B. 140 designates Juneteenth as a legal holiday in the state of Nevada on June 19 each year. If the date falls on a weekend, the holiday will be observed on either the previous Friday or following Monday. More information will be shared on this in the near future.
Investment in Graduate Students
Through enhancements to the budget, the University of Nevada, Reno will receive funding for an increase for graduate student stipends of $2,000 for doctoral students and $1,000 per year for master’s students.
The budget also includes funding for an additional 42 graduate students positions for campus in both 2024 and 2025 for a total of 84 new graduate student positions at the University.
Building Maintenance
The Legislature appropriated a total of $50 million to NSHE for new building maintenance, in addition to the base $15 million traditionally provided. Of this amount, the University will receive $18.5 million in new funds which will be dedicated to ADA/Accessibility projects.
University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe Student Funding
The Legislature appropriated $1,649,534 to account for Nevada students who were formerly Sierra Nevada University students and are now UNRLT students.
Retention Bonuses
A.B 268 created two, one-time payments of $500 for eligible state employees who are employed on March 31, 2023 and June 16, 2023, including NSHE employees with a base salary up to $125,000.
Our representatives in Carson City took the needs and hopes of higher education in our state very seriously. We look forward to what the next two years and beyond hold for our University.
I would also like to express my gratitude to Vice President of Government and Community Engagement Michael Flores and his team, as well as the campus community for their engagement with, and participation in, the legislative process. Everyone’s tireless efforts were invaluable in the success of the session.
Go Pack!
