For my first few years in Las Vegas, it seemed that my chin was constantly on my chest. Coming from the East Coast culture to the “wild West,” I quickly discovered that things are definitely different in Las Vegas. One of the first UNLV events I attended after becoming president was called a cookout, but it was like no other barbecue I had attended. It was clear that everybody gets dressed up for everything here — well, almost everybody. Halfway through the party, held at an elaborate Las Vegas abode, I see a man wearing nothing but a yellow thong swimsuit. He had noticed that some of the floating candles in the pool had gone out and apparently, having dressed for the occasion, took it upon himself to jump in the pool and relight them. What amazed me more than anything was that no one else seemed to even notice. And I’m thinking, “This is different from upstate New York.”
Although at times I felt like an “outsider” during my first few months in Las Vegas, I truly see myself as a Las Vegan now. My husband Mike and I have come to enjoy the West Coast lifestyle and have developed friendships with many, many people in the community that we hope will become deeper as we have more time to pursue them. And now, when out-of-town guests come to visit, I enjoy seeing their chins on their chests and find great amusement in the fact that nothing about Las Vegas surprises me anymore!
The E-Word
There was, and continues to be, a problem with funding for higher education in Nevada that has left the two largest Southern institutions with a disproportionately lower share of funding than our Northern counterparts. The equity issue (or “e-word”) is something that I firmly believe needs to be resolved — so much so that my being vocal on this issue has caused considerable consternation from time to time.
I remember one such occasion when in 2001 I co-hosted a reception for legislators with my colleague presidents Kerry Romesberg from Nevada State College and Ron Remington from the Community College of Southern Nevada. The event was held prior to the start of the legislative session and, because it was held on the UNLV campus, there was a feeling that it was “my show.” One legislator brought up the topic of equity in funding and all three of us took it upon ourselves to address the question with the group.
Judging from the conversations I had after that event, it was very clear that in certain quarters nobody wanted to hear the “eword” again.
I must tell you, however, that every UNLV president has had to fight this fight, and every president had better fight it. Until there is equitable funding for UNLV, we will remain at a disadvantage compared to our northern counterparts. The system’s budget proposal for the coming legislative session contains a $10 million enhancement for UNLV that will help, but the work is not yet done. Given the dramatic growth and program development we continue to experience at UNLV, dealing with the “eword” will certainly help begin to address the issues we continue to face as an institution.
Constant Construction
I often call the campus a construction zone — having built 17 new facilities in the past 11 years and with four more currently under construction. In many ways, the Lied Library is the most important building constructed in my 11 years. I remember when we were discussing the initial plans, it occurred to me that the library’s square footage would be about the same as the Thomas & Mack Center. I saw an opportunity to change campus symbolism and literally demonstrate how the university is moving toward being a major academic institution. I told the architects that the new library should be at least one square foot larger than the Thomas & Mack Center. In fact, the Lied turned out to be several hundred square feet larger, but that one-square-foot story seems to get perpetuated as campus lore, and that is just fine with me.
The library has become a magnificent magnet building that shifted the center of gravity on campus. We now have a wonderful landmark for our academic success just as we do for our athletic successes. One day I went over completely unannounced and there, at the study carrels on the first floor, was the entire basketball team. I thought, “This is how it should be: a proper blend of academic life and great athletics.”
Getting Great Faculty
Attracting the best and brightest faculty members has always been of great importance to me. And if I can assist in that process, I am always pleased to be able to do so. There have been times when deans ask me to call or visit with potential faculty members they are recruiting. When the English department wanted to attract Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka to UNLV, they put together a team with myself; professors John Irsfeld, Richard Wiley and Doug Unger; and donor Glenn Schaeffer, who was preparing to fund a creative writing chair. Las Vegas was a very unlikely place for Wole, given his credentials, but the team was committed and they brought him here for a visit. He seemed to appreciate my being an English faculty member and we sold him on UNLV’s very unique environment. He recently told the dinner audience before the Toni Morrison lecture that what really sealed the deal was a comment I made at dinner: When Glenn offered us red or white wine, I quipped that I was ambidextrous about wine. It’s a good reminder that we can’t take ourselves too seriously.
The competition for faculty is keen, and the recruiting process is constant. The faculty here seem to be attracted by UNLV’s ambitions. They don’t need to adapt to the status quo found at more traditional institutions. They have a remarkable influence on the community through rigorous research and inspired teaching. Many faculty relate directly to the community as resources and as contributors as well. The tremendous value faculty bring to our community cannot be overlooked. So, as president, you must make the time when you see talent.
Expanding Programs
UNLV has an amazing way of taking an idea and running with it. You see that play out especially in the growth and success of our graduate and professional programs.
During all my visits and conversations as a candidate for the job here, no one ever raised the issue of starting a law school. It simply wasn’t on anyone’s radar. Literally, as I was packing some boxes getting ready to move, the then-chancellor called to tell me the legislative session was wrapping up and that an assemblyman named Morse Arberry had just secured $500,000 for UNLV to study the feasibility of a law school. I asked if it was a serious thing and the chancellor said, “No, probably not.”
But upon arriving in Las Vegas and engaging in conversations with key community members, I found that it was much more than just a passing fad and that, in fact, it had been an idea that had been bubbling up for many years. With that knowledge, I knew we had to go forward. We brought in a consultant and the key was to make sure we kept the plans reasonable for Nevada. Once (gaming executive) Bill Boyd came forward with a donation and the legal community got behind the school, it all flowed into place. Just 18 months after the Legislature funded the school, we welcomed our first class. This school has an accomplished dean and faculty and is already achieving top rankings nationally for its legal writing, dispute resolution, and clinical training programs.
In much the same way, the dental school emerged from a few talks with key legislators and my fellow presidents who decided UNLV was the place to do this. Although the dental school faced more challenges in its development, I believe that the proof of its success is evident. We graduated our first class of students this spring, and the dental school is providing great value to the community through its many outreach programs.
Both of these professional schools were the absolute right things to do for UNLV and for the community.
Why We're Here
Let’s face it — the students are the main reason we are here doing what we do. Because of my background as a faculty member and in student affairs, I always enjoy the interactions with the students. I have had the opportunity to work with a disproportionately good group of student leaders during my 11-year tenure. Students here always say how at UNLV, much like in Las Vegas itself, there are no natural barriers to what they can accomplish. I find it incredibly interesting how much the image of UNLV mirrors that of the Las Vegas community.
Our students have developed some wonderfully thoughtful service projects. One of my favorites is the Rebel Service Council, in which students help feed the homeless by donating meals from their own meal plans. They volunteer to make the meals and then deliver them in person. Another student project helped establish a registration drive for bone marrow donors.
And in the classroom, too, they have great opportunities — even as undergraduates — to participate directly with faculty researchers.
In the spring, I usually have casual meetings with new faculty members to talk about their first year here. Our faculty members come from all over the country and have taught at some highly selective institutions. One comment that they always make is that our best students are as good as any they’ve taught. Now, they also say that the ill-prepared students are below the normal spectrum they’ve seen elsewhere. That’s one reason we are pushing to raise admission standards. This effort is not about closing the door to students, but about ensuring their success in the long run.
I think one of the most touching experiences I have had with students was when I was asked to present a student’s diploma prior to commencement because she was terminally ill and most likely would not live to be able to walk on graduation day. I vividly recall that student coming into my office with her family and friends and I donned my full academic regalia while she also wore her cap and gown. We held a special ceremony right in my office and presented her with the diploma. I was so emotional I could barely get through the conferral of her degree, but knew how critical it was that I proceed with the appropriate dignity and joy for her sake.
I know that I will carry the look on that student’s face with me for the rest of my life. The joy she showed in accomplishing her life-long goal of graduating from college was so very special. That single event most clearly demonstrated to me the importance of what we do for our students.
Question of the Day
Every now and then I drop in on employees in various departments on campus. One day I stopped in the office for the telephone operators. I asked this very nice woman what the most common question she received was, other than for a particular phone number. She replied, “They ask me who does your hair.” I don’t think many of my male counterparts have that question asked about them!
What has always struck me about these interactions with the staff — be it when I stop by an office or when we host awards ceremonies for the classified employees — is that their good work truly makes this university run smoothly. I often joke that although faculty would like to believe that all you need is the faculty member and a student sitting under a tree for the educational experience to happen, that educational experience would not happen without the staff to register that student, to pay that faculty member, and to trim the tree. So, it’s clear to me that these devoted employees play just as important a role in the educational experience of our students as any other of our staff.
Supporters With Teeth
I have said many times that UNLV is blessed to have outstanding support from Nevada’s congressional delegation — a group which today includes a former UNLV student body president and Nevada regent in (Rep.) Shelley Berkley. You couldn’t ask for a better team of advocates fighting for higher education issues.
One of UNLV’s greatest supporters has been Senator — and now Senate Minority Leader — Harry Reid. My husband Mike and I also consider Senator Reid and his wife, Landra, our great friends, and have so enjoyed getting to know them over the years.
In addition to his keen understanding of the indelible links between education and economy, research and economic development, I’ve always been struck by Harry Reid’s personal passion for education and sense of the deep meaning community programs can have for individuals.
One of my favorite examples of this came when the senator toured the new School of Dental Medicine facilities at our Shadow Lane campus. Though he was intrigued by high-tech equipment funded with federal support, Reid was most captivated by the community outreach initiatives. He observed to a group of faculty, students, and guests that the school was already providing support to the underserved in rural areas — support that his own family members, and particularly his mother, were never able to access in the town of Searchlight. It was a wonderfully emotional moment, and a side of the senator that few get to see.
Of course our dental students lightened the moment by presenting the senator with a beautiful set of hinged model teeth — uppers and lowers — just like the ones used in our teaching laboratories. Bob Herbert of the senator’s staff told me later that Reid so prized this gift that he personally took it back to his family home in Searchlight. Bob said this was particularly meaningful when you consider the literally hundreds of presentations to the senator each year during his travels. Rarely did a gift so hit home (and go home!) with Harry Reid.
Fundraising
UNLV has been incredibly fortunate during the past 11 years to have had record-breaking support from its alumni and the community. I often marvel that we have been able to raise more than $500 million in this time frame — a remarkable feat for any institution, much less one that hasn’t even yet celebrated its 50th anniversary. And with the Invent the Future campaign well under way, and with $317 million already raised toward its $500 million goal, fundraising has been a major time commitment for me — as it will be for my successor.
Asking people for money is a complex matter. Some willingly give while others may need a bit more attention and hand-holding. I recall two instances — one positive and the other more difficult — that demonstrate that the donor’s wishes, even if they don’t necessarily match with those of the institution, will ultimately be the deciding factor on whether or not a donor will make an investment in the university.
The university’s ambitions and goals can put a president in difficult positions with donors. For example, at the time many universities were cutting their men’s sports programs in order to remain in compliance with Title IX, UNLV chose to add three women’s sports. A major donor didn’t want us to add the women’s golf program and, because I couldn’t abide by those wishes, the person decided to discontinue major support of UNLV. On a very personal level this decision was deeply disappointing to me. In my view, however, it was vital to the university and to the women here to expand the athletic opportunities we offer, and golf only made sense in this place and climate. In this case, there was a much greater good in creating new women’s programs than in succumbing to a donor’s wishes, and, incidentally, our women’s golfers won the Mountain West Conference title three years in a row! These are the difficult choices one must make as president, but I firmly believe that the best interests of the university must always be paramount.
My biggest surprise in fundraising came from Bill Bennett, a pioneer in the gaming industry. He was known for his philanthropy but hadn’t given much to UNLV before. Shortly after my tenure began, he called me and told me he was going to send a car for me (which turned out to be a limousine) so we could meet over lunch. He was very direct and no-nonsense. He made it clear he didn’t want to be asked for money, so I certainly didn’t bring the subject up. But, I did tell him about the College of Education’s work to establish a professional development school. To my surprise, he funded it almost instantly.
So when the college proposed building a new preschool, I thought it might interest him. I brought him a model of the facility, but didn’t really make any headway on that occasion. Six months later he called me cussing about a $5,000 bill he’d received for employee development training from our faculty. He thought it was out of line. I didn’t know the details, of course, but I promised him I’d look into it myself.
He replied, “O.K. Now what was that project you were telling me about? How much was that?” After reminding him about the preschool proposal, I told him we needed $5 million. He didn’t even hesitate to say, “You got it.” It just floored me. That telephone call cost Mr. Bennett $4,995,000!
