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Dear ºÚÁÏÍø Community,

Nevada’s 83rd Legislative Session ended in a flurry of activity last night, with the fate of many key pieces of legislation coming down to the final moments. It is fair to say that it was a complex and challenging session, as legislators sought to balance shifting economic outlooks and projected state revenue streams to address the state’s needs.
 
We are tremendously grateful to Governor Joe Lombardo, legislative leadership, and all of our legislators for their partnership in securing crucial funds to support the growing needs of our university.

Most importantly, legislators addressed safety and security on our campuses to the Nevada System of Higher Education, a portion of which will be allocated to continuing security infrastructure enhancements on ºÚÁÏÍø’s campuses.

Campus safety is one of many items approved by legislators that will positively impact ºÚÁÏÍø over the upcoming biennium, which begins July 1 and runs through June 30, 2027.

Additional legislation awaiting signature by Governor Lombardo includes: 

• : Will help institutions cover operational and instructional expenses during the biennium. This is in part to help cover shortfalls created by the large Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) for NSHE employee salaries over the past two years. This additional one-time funding of $23 million offsets a portion of the financial commitment by the university.
• : Allocates $9 million to expand opportunities for Graduate Medical Education (GME) in Nevada. Physicians who receive advanced training in Nevada typically stay here to practice, so it’s vital that we continue to look for opportunities to grow the number and variety of medical residencies and fellowships in our state to address Nevada’s physician shortage. This bill was developed with input from the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at ºÚÁÏÍø, championed by Senator Pazina, and was supported by Governor Lombardo. 
• : As part of an NSHE-wide capital improvement projects bill, legislators approved $6.2 million, which ºÚÁÏÍø will match, for the planning and design of a new academic home for the Lee Business School. The building, when completed, will serve as a new gateway to ºÚÁÏÍø on Maryland Parkway, provide a modern learning environment for one of our largest academic programs, and convene industry to build the future of business in our region. The bill also supplements additional funding to support safety and security upgrades in campus facilities.
• : This bill directs $20 million to NSHE over the biennium to support growth in undergraduate nursing programs throughout the state, a portion of which will support ºÚÁÏÍø’s highly ranked School of Nursing. It’s estimated that nearly 90% of ºÚÁÏÍø nursing graduates remain in Nevada once they graduate, so it’s essential that we continue to build this program to meet the healthcare needs of our state. 
• : The William S. Boyd School of Law will receive $1 million over the biennium to support practice-based learning opportunities for law students in the school’s legal clinics, and to provide pro bono services to members of the community in need of legal assistance.
• : As Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) practices evolve throughout collegiate athletics, this bill, spearheaded by ºÚÁÏÍø Athletics Director Erick Harper and University of Nevada, Reno Athletics Director Stephanie Rempe, will add needed safeguards for university athletic programs in Nevada and allow institutions more latitude to protect and give guidance to student athletes who are engaged in sponsorship programs and negotiations. It also will protect student athletes from publicly disclosing the terms of their sponsorships.
• : This bill addresses education in a holistic manner providing for greater transparency and accountability in Nevada’s K-12 education system. With a focus on addressing the teacher workforce shortage, the ºÚÁÏÍø College of Education will receive funding for programs such as the Nevada Institute for Teacher Education Prep and Teacher Apprenticeship programs. 

While this list is not exhaustive, it illustrates the widespread support for ºÚÁÏÍø among leaders throughout Nevada. State law allows the governor 10 days to sign or veto legislation passed at the end of the session or it automatically becomes law.

Our success at the state legislature wouldn’t be possible without the tireless contributions of our team in Government and Community Engagement. We’re deeply appreciative of their advocacy, coordination, and communication throughout the session, especially Director of State Government Affairs Leo Benavides.

Finally, we want to express our thanks to everyone – employees, faculty, students, alumni, and supporters – who testified or advocated on behalf of ºÚÁÏÍø and participated in the legislative process. Our future is bright because of your belief in the power of higher education and the promise of our university. 
 
Warm regards,

Chris Heavey
ºÚÁÏÍø Interim President

Constance Brooks
Vice President for Government and Community Engagement