Now that the 81st session of the Nevada State Legislature has concluded, I wanted to update you on how CSN and higher education in general did in several key areas.
On May 15, the State Legislature approved approximately $93 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) dollars to help the Nevada System of Higher Education hire back or fill frozen positions. This reduced NSHE’s total projected budget cuts from the anticipated $169 million to $76 million. This is good news for CSN, but unfortunately, this still means that we have an operating budget cut of approximately eight percent in FY 2021-22 and FY 2022-23. Additionally, these ARP funds are not a permanent restoration.
Lawmakers also passed a one percent cost-of-living increase for FY 2022-23 for all state employees (AB493). Professional employees will see the increase on their August 1, 2022 paychecks. Classified staff get an additional two percent if covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement. Classified employees will see the increase on their July 25, 2022 paychecks.
Despite the state’s overall budget cuts that resulted from COVID-19, CSN had a very successful 2021 legislative session. A summary of some of our legislative priorities are included below:
General Fund appropriations for Caseload Growth of $12 million for CSN for the next biennium (FY 2021-22 and FY 2022-23). The Governor’s recommended budget utilized the FY 2020-21 calculated weighted student credit hour value of $164.61 in the caseload calculation, consistent with prior biennia calculations. These funds will support CSN’s additional caseload growth of 36,555 with enhancements to direct instruction, academic support, and areas of compliance and accreditation.
CSN received $10.4 million of Capacity Enhancement funds for the next biennium from the State General Fund. These funds will support CSN’s expansion of health sciences, advanced manufacturing, cyber security and dual enrollment programs. Capacity funds will also help the development of short-term training programs and weekend college options for high-demand fields with a focus on unemployed and displaced workers.
The Nevada Promise Scholarship Program was also continued, with $7.3 million in new funding for the biennium for all NSHE community colleges. CSN received almost 5,000 Promise applications for this upcoming academic year, which marks a five percent increase from last year (AB454).
NSHE received $897,000 from the State General Fund for the continuation of the NSHE Prison Education Program for the biennium. CSN’s allocated portion of the funding for the biennium is $300,000.
AB319 requires CSN to continue to partner with the Clark County School District to establish the CSN-CTE Concurrent Enrollment Pilot Program, which will allow students to earn up to 15 college credits. The pilot program will focus on expanding dual enrollment opportunities to underserved populations, low income students, students who might need to get college-ready for math and English, and students who are interested in pursuing a career in a high demand industry.
The Nevada System of Higher Education received an appropriation of $400,000 over the biennium to enable CSN to continue to carry out the Nevada Grow Program. This program stimulates Nevada’s economy by helping Nevada small businesses (SB310).
The Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada (WINN) Account was allocated $1.5 million for FY 2021-22. WINN funds require the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to develop and implement programs to provide customized workforce development services to companies that create, expand and relocate business to the state (AB494). CSN is eligible to apply for some of these funds.
The Nevada Millennium Scholarship Trust Fund was allocated $42 million to support the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship Program. At CSN, the Millennium Scholarship funds approximately 5,000 students annually (AB475).
The Silver State Opportunity Grant (SSOG) Program received an allocation of $8.8 million for the biennium. Additionally, AB495 allocates $600,000 each year of the biennium to the SSOG Program.
Even in a COVID-19 environment, CSN successfully carried out its first (and hopefully last) virtual CSN Day at the Legislature, which included premiering a video with testimonial support for our legislative priorities from Governor Steve Sisolak, Attorney General Aaron D. Ford, Superintendent Jesus J. Jara, and Senate Education Chairman Senator Moises “Mo” Denis, among other state leaders.
I especially want to thank all the administrators, faculty, staff and student leaders who worked together as a team to ensure that CSN’s voice was heard during this legislative session.
Thank you,
Federico
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Most of us are aware that our freedom isn’t free, and that many brave men and women have paid the ultimate price for the freedoms that we enjoy. On this Memorial Day, we pay homage to those who have laid down their lives selflessly for our country and all that it stands for.
Like many of you, this is a day of remembrance for those of us who have lost loved ones, family, or friends in service to our country. This day has a special and profound meaning and it provides us all an opportunity to pause, reflect, and express our gratitude for those amazing patriots who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Have a wonderful Memorial Day.
Federico
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Please join us in celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month during the month June. This is a special time to celebrate the contributions of the LGBTQ+ persons to society while honoring the origins of the equality movement.
Pride month is celebrated in June for the annual observance of the Stonewall uprising on June 28, 1969 which proved to be a pivotal moment for LGBTQ+ equality. Our strength as a community is defined by our ability to create spaces in which all of our diverse CSN communities are embraced as their authentic selves.
As we kick off a monthlong celebration and education activities, I want to remind us all that LGBTQ+ identities are central to our pursuit of social justice. At CSN, this month provides us with the opportunity to show our appreciation to the LGBTQ+ community and I encourage you to engage in these upcoming events and activities.
Federico Zaragoza
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Today we want to share with you some very important updates regarding the COVID-19 environment here at CSN. On Tuesday, May 19, the Clark County Commission approved revisions to mitigation efforts consistent with the State of Nevada reopening plans and as adopted in the Clark County Mitigation and Enforcement Plan implemented effective May 1.
Effective June 1, 2021, social distancing and capacity limitations will be discontinued and CSN will return to full capacity levels. Additionally, prior approval for large gatherings of greater than 250 people will be discontinued effective June 1.
THE WEARING OF FACE COVERINGS IS REQUIRED for all individuals, including students, employees, and members of the public who have NOT been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
For unvaccinated individuals, face coverings MUST be worn: At all times while inside CSN buildings, regardless if others are present; While outside on campus whenever other individuals are present, including group settings and congested areas.
Fully vaccinated is defined by the CDC as two weeks following the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or two weeks after a single dose vaccination, i.e. Johnson & Johnson Janssen (J&J). Face coverings/masks are optional for fully vaccinated students, employees and members of the public.
On-campus signage will communicate the face covering/mask requirements for non-vaccinated individuals. The campus signage will continue to communicate appropriate practices to mitigate transmission such as hygiene protocols, hand sanitizing, and completion of a daily health assessment.
CSN continues to work in collaboration with our partners throughout southern Nevada to monitor the environment and will continue our ability to be flexible should the need arise to revise direction. Please continue to utilize our Wellness@csn.edu for communication regarding close contacts, testing, and questions regarding COVID-19.
Thank you for those who have taken the opportunity to be vaccinated, and I again encourage all who can, to do so as soon as possible. Only through the continued efforts of vaccination will we be able to fully return to the pre-COVID environment.
I am pleased to let you know CSN has received the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) II under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSSA), which was signed into law on December 27, 2020. The HEERF II Student funds will go out this week to eligible students.
CSN will provide $7,039,204 directly to students under the HEERF II requirements due to further disruptions caused by the COVID-19 national emergency, which was declared March 13, 2020.
Eligible CSN students will be automatically awarded HEERF II funding and do not need to apply for these funds. Students will receive between $150 and $836. The award criteria include current enrollment in the Spring 2021 semester, a financial aid-eligible major, as well as the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) index from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, only U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens are eligible for HEERF II Student funds. More information can be found on our Coronavirus webpage.
This emergency funding is intended to help cover expenses related to the student’s cost of attendance (e.g., tuition and fees, room and board, transportation) and/or emergency expenses that arise due to the pandemic (e.g., tuition, food, housing, childcare). We understand that the funds will not reach all students who need or deserve them.
Students that find that they need additional help to cover extraordinary expenses, are encouraged to apply for the CSN Student Emergency Fund. International, undocumented, DACA and non-credit students may be eligible for HEERF II Institutional and/or the CSN Student Emergency Fund.
Please know that we remain committed to the well-being of our faculty, staff and students during these challenging times.
Stay safe and God bless.
Federico Zaragoza President College of Southern Nevada
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As you have likely heard, Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor Dr. Melody Rose has announced intentions to develop a plan that would require COVID-19 vaccinations for students who enroll in the state’s public colleges and universities, including CSN.
I want you to know that I support the chancellor’s intention to mandate vaccines for all CSN students. Such a mandate would be in line with best practices currently being developed and implemented at colleges and universities across the country, including within the California State University System, the University of California System, Oregon State University, the University of Washington, Washington State University and dozens of others. Our top priority must always be the safety of the people who come to our campuses. You are aware that the state’s colleges and universities already require, in accordance with current law, that students be vaccinated against certain diseases, such as measles, mumps and rubella. A COVID-19 vaccine requirement would simply add to that list, and it would include exemptions on religious and medical grounds.
The COVID-19 vaccines have proven safe and effective, and they are free and easily accessible. The Southern Nevada Health District has information on vaccine sites throughout the community. CSN and NSHE have been enthusiastic partners, administering more than 150,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines at the CSN Henderson, CSN North Las Vegas and the UNLV sites. Should new requirements go into effect, we will continue to work with the Southern Nevada Health District to maximize availability of vaccinations, including operating “popup” vaccination sites on all our campuses for those who need it.
To be clear: A mandatory vaccination plan would require several levels of approval before being implemented. First, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration would have to fully approve the COVID-19 vaccinations. Next, both the Nevada State Board of Health and the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents would have to approve the plan.
Any plan presented to the Board of Regents would be done in a public meeting subject to the state’s Open Meeting Law — meaning there would be ample opportunity for public input and comment.
Please know that this is the beginning of a process, not the end. As the system’s plans are further developed, I will make sure the CSN Family is kept informed.
Thank you.
Federico Zaragoza President College of Southern Nevada
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It has been over a year now since CSN began remote work and instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic — and what an incredible year it has been. Despite the challenges, we have come together as a team to ensure that our students come first, our CSN Family remains safe, and our community can continue counting on us.
We will see a record-sized graduating class this month, we will see a gradual return to campus for our faculty and staff this summer, and we will see thousands of students in our classrooms this summer and fall. It is an exciting time at CSN.
I could not be more proud of the entire CSN Family for your efforts day in and day out. On behalf of the students who depend on us all, thank you for another successful academic year.
Federico
Return to Campus As we discussed in our Town Hall last month, we will begin a gradual, phased-in approach to returning to campus in June, leading to what we expect to be a fall semester with full services available to our students on campus. June 1 — President’s Direct Reports Return June 14 — Academic Deans, AVPs, support staff return June 28 – July 1 — Employees Return, In-Person Services Resume August 23 — Fall Convocation, Faculty Return August 30 — Fall Semester Begins
All employees will be provided with a 10-day notice from their supervisor before returning to campus. Please be on the lookout for information soon about Return to Campus preparation sessions. And please know that all protocols and safety guidelines in effect at the time will be followed. We want to keep ensuring that the health and safety of our faculty, staff and students remains our top priority.
Class of 2021 Commencement
I know you are all as excited as I am that the Class of 2021 — our largest graduating class ever — will be honored with an in-person Commencement Ceremony on May 15! Graduating from college is an incredible accomplishment, particularly during the challenges we have all faced in this last year. Please join me in congratulating the CSN Class of 2021.
Congratulations 2021 CSN Outstanding Students! We are pleased to announce this year’s Outstanding Student Awards! This is an incredible group of students, who worked incredibly hard during a challenging year. The virtual celebration will premier at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 7.
CSN’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations As CSN prepares for its 50th year starting in fall 2021, we want you to help us tell the college’s story. If you have memories, pictures, or mementos to share please email celebrate50@csn.edu. Thank you for your dedication to our students & to CSN’s continuing story.
Hope for Prisoners
I want to thank Hope for Prisoners for naming CSN their Academic Partner of the Year. This incredible organization does so much good in the community by helping inmates transition back into society, and I could not be more proud to partner with them.
Welcome to Nevada State College’s New President, Dr. DeRionne Pollard
Congratulations to Dr. DeRionne Pollard, appointed by the Board of Regents as the new President of Nevada State College. Dr. Pollard, who is currently president of Montgomery College in Maryland, begins August 16. She is not only the first Black woman to serve as permanent president of the institution, but of any NSHE institution. Dr. Pollard earned a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University, a master’s degree from Iowa State University, and a Ph.D. from Loyola University.
New Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Chief Innovation Officer
The Nevada System of Higher Education announced Caleb Cage will rejoin the system as the Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Chief Innovation Officer following his yearlong effort directing the State of Nevada’s COVID-19 response. Cage begins June 10. In addition, NSHE Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Crystal Abba assumes the title of Interim Vice Chancellor for Community Colleges following the departure of Nate MacKinnon.
I want to once again thank Gov. Steve Sisolak for his continued support of CSN and our workforce development efforts. The governor joined us on the Henderson Campus last month to celebrate our efforts, the result of a Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada grant. This will allow our students to obtain Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) and National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) industry-recognized certifications.
DWED A new tool donated to the our Division of Workforce & Economic Development will help local job seekers obtain the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly crowded job market. CSN received a donation of a Skill Boss Manufacturing: MSSC CPT Plus Certification & Assessment from Klein Educational Systems. The machine, housed at CSN’s Sarah West Center, is valued at $25,000 and tests proficiency in more than 66 skills commonly utilized in manufacturing trades. I want to thank Ken and Linda Baxter for their generous support of our students.
New Deans Appointed I am pleased to announce that Janice Glasper has accepted the position of Dean of the Engelstad School of Health Sciences, while Dr. Richard Kravchak has accepted the position of Dean of the School of Arts & Letters. Please join me in congratulating them both.
CSN & Assistance League Team Up We are extremely grateful to the Assistance League of Las Vegas for their recent donation drive to benefit CSN’s Coyote Cupboards food pantries. In all, several thousand food and personal hygiene items were donated through the group’s coordinated efforts to help CSN students.
CSN Faculty Earn Tenure Please join me in congratulating the 26 members of the CSN Family who were awarded Tenure this month by the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents. This is an affirmation of their commitment to instructional excellence and a major milestone in their careers.
Student Emmy Nominations Six CSN students have been nominated for Student Emmy Awards! This is a remarkable accomplishment. In all, students from the Videography & Film Program have received 94 Student Production Emmy nominations and 44 wins in the last seven years. Winners will be announced next month. Congratulations!
Taskforce on Higher Education and Opportunity I’m extremely pleased to announce that I have joined higher education leaders from around the country on the Taskforce on Higher Education and Opportunity. The Taskforce is committed to addressing major barriers to higher education facing students and communities nationwide. It formed in response to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and will provide opportunity to students and their communities, share insights with the education community and reimagine the impact of higher education on society.
CSN Student, Professor Win Regents’ Awards CSN Student Adrian Edward Bell earned the Regents’ Scholar award from the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents, and CSN Nursing professor Ronald Gonzalez won the Nevada Regents’ Teaching Award. Congratulations to them both!
Phi Theta Kappa
Reach Awards Once again, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society chapter at CSN has received national recognition. Our chapter has been named a 2021 REACH Chapter and will receive special recognition in the form of three PTK graduation stoles for chapter officers or members to be worn during graduation. Phi Theta Kappa’s REACH Rewards program recognizes and rewards chapters that excel in membership development. Congratulations! Read more …
New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar CSN student and PTK member Tomas Luna has been selected as a 2021 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar! This scholarship supports students at associate degree-granting institutions on a national scale as they plan to enter the workforce upon the completion of a degree or certificate. The scholarship program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Congratulations to Mr. Tomas Luna on this outstanding achievement. Read more …
Two PTK Scholarship Winners! CSN student Alejandra Zambrano Alvarado won the New Century Transfer Pathway Scholarship, worth $2,250, and student Tomas Luna, Jr. won the New Century Workforce Pathway Scholarship worth $1,250. Congratulations Alejandra and Tomas!
Meaningful Writing Experience Ten students have been selected to receive $1,000 Meaningful Writing Experience Scholarship awards. Congratulations! Read the award recipient testimonials and see what projects students submitted to the MWE Scholarship. Read more …
CSN Leadership Academy Applications Available Prospective class members are now being solicited for the CSN Leadership Academy Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 cohorts. Applications and more information are available online. Read more …
Awards Deadline The deadline to nominate yourself, an outstanding peer, or a colleague for a CSN Excellence Award or a Distinguished Employee Award is May 10. Don’t delay! Cash prizes of up to $2,500 are available. Visit the CSN recognition website for details and to apply. Read more …
Accessible Space Board of Directors Dr. Sonya Pearson, Vice President & Provost on the Charleston Campus, has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors of Accessible Space, Inc., a nonprofit that works to provide accessible, affordable housing, property management and supportive living services to over 3,000 adults with physical disabilities and brain injuries, as well as seniors. Read more …
CSN Students’ Scientific Research CSN students and faculty were instrumental in research about Lake Ivanpah at Ivanpah Dry Lake near Primm, Nevada. Twelve CSN students participated in the field and laboratory portions of this project. Their published work showed that the occurrence of pluvial lakes in isolated desert basins of the Mojave Desert during the late Pleistocene was possible. Read more …
CSN HVAC Students Help Local Groups
A group of students from CSN’s HVAC Center of Excellence at Western High School installed a commercial-quality walk-in freezer at Project 150’s facility in Las Vegas. Project 150 is a local nonprofit that provides homeless, displaced and disadvantaged high school students with basic necessities. Now, thanks to CSN’s students, they are able to provide more fresh and frozen food for high school students and their families.
In addition, HVAC students also helped with the replace units and duct work on the Shade Tree facility downtown.
I am so proud of our instructors and students for helping our community.
The COVID-19 vaccination site at the North Las Vegas Campus and the UNLV location are in the process of winding down operations as decline in demand across our community has been realized. To date, more than 150,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered at the CSN Henderson, CSN North Las Vegas and the UNLV sites.
If you haven’t done so, I strongly encourage you to receive the vaccine. We all are anxious to return to as close to “normal” as possible. The more people who are vaccinated the closer we will get. The UNLV site will end first dose appointments this Friday, May 7. The site will remain open to administer second doses to those who receive their first vaccination at UNLV. This location will accept walk-in availability from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Friday, May 7. Remember, anyone 18 years and older can get vaccinated at UNLV, and appointments can be made online.
The CSN North Las Vegas location will be completing vaccinations on May 14. Anyone 16 years old or older can get vaccinated at this location, as this site provides the Pfizer vaccine. Appointments can be scheduled at online here as well. First and second doses are available, and if a first dose is administered at the North Las Vegas site the second dose will be scheduled at an alternate location.
The vaccination deployment has been an extraordinary effort in partnership and collaboration across southern Nevada. Students, faculty and staff at CSN, the School of Nursing and the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Student Health, Nevada State College and the City of North Las Vegas have been instrumental. This has truly been a team effort from the start. I want to extend my sincere thanks to all who have worked so hard to make sure our community is safe.
In addition to the locations at CSN North Las Vegas and UNLV, vaccines are available at local pharmacies and community locations. For more information please refer to the Southern Nevada Health District.
Should you have additional questions, please contact our case management team at Wellness@csn.edu.
Stay safe and God bless.
Federico Zaragoza President College of Southern Nevada
As a designated Hispanic Serving Institution, CSN provides education to a large population of Latinx persons, many of whom have Mexican-American heritage. We recognize the many contributions that Mexican-Americans make to CSN and to the Southern Nevada community. While Cinco de Mayo marks a relatively small battle in Mexico’s history, the day in America has become a popular celebration for people of Mexican-American heritage who live here. As many of you know, I am proud of my Mexican roots and so I want to share with you why Cinco de Mayo has become such a special day for Mexican-Americans in the United States.
Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla of May 5, 1862. On this day, a poorly equipped force under the command of General Ignacio Zaragoza defeated the Franco-Mexican army which at the time was one of the most advanced in the world. The victory at Puebla became a symbol of the courage of the Mexican resistance to foreign intervention and has become a source of pride for people of Mexican heritage in the United States.
Today we highlight and celebrate yet another “rich” ingredient that contribute to the diverse cultures that make up the CSN family.
Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
Federico
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Today is a day to highlight and celebrate the hard work of our administrative personnel, often the behind-the-scenes employees that truly do the administrative work required to help our students and communities achieve, succeed and prosper. The bottom line is that CSN could not function without you. That has never been more true than now, as we prepare to emerge from more than a year of altered work habits caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through it all — changing work schedules, virtual meetings and events, an unprecedented level of safety protocols — the administrative professionals at CSN have been tirelessly at work in support of students, faculty, and staff.
On behalf of the entire CSN Family, please accept our gratitude for your hard work and dedication. CSN excels because of you.
Thank you.
Federico Zaragoza President College of Southern Nevada
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