Grades must be higher to get into state colleges

The Board of Regents voted Friday to increase the grade-point-average needed to get into Nevada's universities.

Starting in the fall of 2008, high school graduates will need a minimum 3.0 grade-point-average instead of 2.75. That is two years earlier than the board planned to make that change.

But the board decided if a student's grades aren't up to that level, they will review SAT or ACT scores to see if the student should be admitted.

University staff will study the new criteria this coming year to see whether there is a disproportionate effect on minority students. The board indicated that could delay implementation of the new grade requirements.