ROCCC updates WNC, regents

The Restore Our College Campus Committee (ROCCC) met last week in Fallon to review action being taken by both Western Nevada College and the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents.

Sara Lafrance, a candidate for Board of Regents District 9, which represents Churchill County, attended the meeting to learn more about the inner working of WNC and the Fallon campus.

WNC President Chet Burton said a new director for the WNC Foundation has been selected, and he hopes to have her come out to Fallon; furthermore, Burton said the foundation board has an opening and said a high priority is for an individual from Churchill County to be selected.

Burton said WNC will give its annual report in June to the Board of Regents.

On the athletic scene, Burton said Western Nevada College’s student association is planning to bring club soccer teams to the college in Fall 2016. He reiterated this will be the final year for baseball and softball.

“Carson City is quite a soccer hotbed,” he said, adding WNC can redesign the baseball field for the new campus sport.

Retired Fallon Dean Michelle Dondero said she thinks soccer is a good plan. Burton said if the club model works for soccer, then the college may look at adding track and field.

At the NSHE meeting in April, Burton said the regents will discuss priorities.

Burton said he would meet with Assemblywoman Robin Titus regarding a grant to place a manufacturing hub within Silver Stage High School.

“It’s a positive initiative and will align with what we are doing in Fernley and Fallon,” Burton said.

WNC Director Sherry Black said recently Titus visited the Fallon campus and met with some community people.

“Robin Titus is very interested in the college,” Black said.

The WNC director gave some statistics for the campus. Black said 43 percent of students are at least 25 years old, while 36 percent range between the ages of 19-24. She said 12 percent of the enrollment consists of JumpStart students, high-school juniors or seniors enrolled in college classes.

Black said the Employability Fair on March 11 was a success. She said Dr. Sandra Sheldon, superintendent of Churchill County schools, would like to see all students go through the fair.

An opportunity resurrect the rodeo club is in the works. Black said WNC is looking at a nationally-recognized rodeo coach to lead the program.

Black said the General Education Development (GED) may be returning to the campus, and a memorandum of understanding for WNC to begin offering classes at Naval Air Station Fallon is awaiting the Secretary of Navy’s approval.