Dear CSN Family,

Tomorrow, the State Legislature is expected to propose additional reductions to the Nevada System of Higher Education budget. The additional cut will add to CSN’s budget cuts for fiscal year 2021, which has already been cut by 16 percent, or $17.5 million, excluding the cuts to professional and classified staff salaries. Taken together, these cuts will adversely impact our ability to sustain the recent academic success momentum that has seen our graduation and transfer rates almost double in the past three years.

As a result of these cuts, CSN will be required to:

• Freeze approximately 50 positions indefinitely;
• Reduce operational costs by approximately 50 percent for travel, hosting, printing, supplies, and FFE;
• Limit personnel in facilities, administrative, academic, and student service areas; 
• Limit the number of sections/classes that can be funded to meet student demand;   
• Reduce service and possibly close CSN Hi-Tech and Community Centers, such as those at Nellis Air Force Base, Summerlin, Green Valley and Mesquite.
• Limit the number of accelerated short-term workforce training programs in Health Professions, Information Technology, Logistics and Manufacturing, and Skill Trades (automotive, diesel tech, dental hygiene and dental assisting, veterinary nursing) being designed for long-term unemployed and displaced. 

No matter what occurs, we will make every effort possible at CSN to reduce the impact on student services and academic instruction. At CSN, we understand the need for significant budget reductions. But we are concerned that any further financial cuts will cause negative long-term damage to CSN, our students, and to our community.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada