April 30, 2009
Washington, DC – Nevada Senator Harry Reid and Congressman Dean Heller today led Nevada's congressional delegation in introducing the Southern Nevada Higher Education Land Act of 2009. Senator John Ensign and Congresswomen Shelley Berkley and Dina Titus have cosponsored the bill that would convey nearly 2,400 acres of land to the Nevada System of Higher Education for three campuses in southern Nevada. The University of Nevada Las Vegas would receive 2,000 acres in North Las Vegas, the College of Southern Nevada would receive 40 acres in Las Vegas, and the Great Basin College would receive 280 acres in Pahrump.
“Education is fundamental to the long-term strength of our communities. This legislation will give our colleges and universities the land they need to build new, world-class education facilities and to further expand learning opportunities for people from around our state and around the world. This is an important bill, which is why every member the Nevada congressional delegation is a part of it,” Reid said.
“Education is the key to opportunity in America. As our world and economy changes, providing our higher education system opportunities to expand and meet the needs of our state is more critical today than ever. The expansion of these campuses will make education more accessible to Nevadans. I am pleased the Nevada delegation is joining Senator Reid and myself in this effort,” said Heller.
“The land conveyed in this bill will be the foundation on which the continued education of many Nevadans is built,” Ensign said. “I’m proud to join the rest of the delegation in supporting the furtherance of higher education in our state for many years to come.”
“Working together as a delegation, we can quickly move this important legislation through Congress and begin creation of these additional campuses which will enhance educational opportunities for a new generation of students in Nevada. Our legislation transfers this land at no cost and will help southern Nevada’s University and Community College system grow by offering students convenient campus locations and by ensuring we have space for a broad range of degree options and career training programs,” said Berkley, a former Nevada University Regent.
“A quality education is the key to the future success of Nevada’s children and young people,” Congresswoman Titus said. “With this legislation, the Nevada System of Higher Education will have the space it needs to build top-notch facilities to prepare our students for the jobs of tomorrow.”
The largest parcel of land would go for a new UNLV campus bordering the Nellis Air Force Base. The legislation requires that the Board of Regents and the Air Force reach an agreement related to the development of the UNLV campus in order to protect the base’s vital national security functions.
Links to additional information:
To read the entire text of the Southern Nevada Higher Education Land Act Bill, click here
To read Senator Reid’s introduction statement of the Southern Nevada Higher Education Land Act Bill, click here
Links to maps:
Click here to view a map of the area to be conveyed to UNLV.
Click here to view a map of the area to be conveyed to the College of Southern Nevada.
Click here to view a map of area to be conveyed to Great Basin College.
