By Rocio Hernandez
Regent Jason Geddes visited campus last Wednesday for the Associated Student of the University of Nevada (ASUN) meeting.
The regent spoke about the new medical school that would be built at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
ASUN senator Thomas Green asked Geddes why a medical school for UNLV was considered over a law school for UNR. According to Geddes, UNLV brings in more tuition and fees because they have a higher enrollment, including international students, than UNR.
Geddes also stated that there is a greater need for medical school in southern Nevada. The school is expected to bring in more research and money to the Tier 2 institution.
Geddes mentioned that there was a discussion to moving the law school up north and taking the medical school down to Las Vegas, but he says that was not something that was possible during this fiscal year due to lack of funding.
After Geddes’ presentation, Senator Quinn Jonas wanted some clarification on the 15 to Finish initiative and how it would affect the College of Engineering.
Quinn was concerned that there the initiative could put pressure on the college to condense their program. Geddes informed the senator that there are institutions such as Stanford University whose engineering program requires only 120 credits.
Internship Programs
ASUN Vice President Alex Bybee gave the student government an update on the Pack Internship Grant Program that will provide students with internship opportunities. Bybee is still visiting possible internship sites.
His hope is that each site will have two interns to divide the workload. He also assured the senators that students will get meaningful experience out of the program. For example, political internships will focus on running projects and not running coffee. Applications for the program are expected to go live on October 7, 2014.
Marijuana discussion
Senator Jonas presented a draft of a resolution that supports a ban the use of marijuana at the university for anything other than research.
Students possessing a medical marijuana cards are asked to remove themselves from the residence halls. They are allowed to cancel their contracts without penalties and will only pay for the time they spent there. It is not clear what will happen to student with green cards who want to stay in the dorms.
Senator Abby Feenstra argues that there is no one to help these students find new housing. The senate voted down the resolution.