Approved by the Senate on February 10, 2026

PEBP should NOT raise premiums by 84% next year but implement longer-term solutions by spreading out premium increases over several plan years to limit the unacceptable financial impact on PEBP members. State contributions to PEBP must increase to restore the traditional cost-sharing balance between the state of Nevada and its employees.

No further cuts to benefits. For FY2027, benefits should not be cut more than already approved for increased deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums (which will be $5 Million in additional out-of-pocket costs for participants already set for the coming year).

The new higher Out-of-Pocket Maximum increases for 2027 by $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for families (on the high-deductible and low-deductible plans) are an unfair burden on faculty and staff who suffer from acute medical issues or chronic conditions, especially for lower-income state employees who can least afford such increases.

Approved by Faculty Senate, October 14, 2025

Faculty in Residence (FIR) play a vital role in advancing student success, creating inclusive learning and enhancing the academic and co-curricular mission of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV);

FIRs contribute meaningfully to student retention, engagement, and overall well-being by fostering strong faculty-student relationships, offering programming, and serving as visible, accessible academic mentors at our university;

The current practice of annual contract renewal for FIR positions limits long-term planning, contributes to job insecurity, and may hinder recruitment and retention of highly qualified faculty for these critical roles;

Peer institutions often offer multi-year appointments for residential faculty roles to reflect the significance of the position and to promote continuity, stability, and professional development.

UNLV Faculty Senate expresses its strong support for the implementation of optional three-year renewable contracts after Faculty in Residence have successfully completed at least three years at UNLV. The Faculty Senate urges Interim President Heavey and Officer in Charge of the Provost’s Office Korgan to ensure that three-year contracts be available for all current FIRs who are in their fourth year of employment or longer, by July 1, 2026.

Approved by Faculty Senate, October 14, 2025

UNLV is one of the most diverse universities in the United States. A large majority of our students identify as Hispanic, Asian, African American, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. Many of our students identify as LGBTQ. Many of our students are immigrants, some undocumented, and many more come from mixed status families.

The diversity of our campus and of the wider community of which we are a part make UNLV a special place. It should be clear that UNLV’s support for all students from all backgrounds and statuses will not disappear or be obscured behind a more ambiguous organizational structure. While administrative divisions may be restructured, core principles must remain unchanged.

UNLV is diverse because that is who we are. UNLV will be at its best when we stand behind every one of our students, not regardless of their unique identities, but because their diversity is our strength. This is not a time for retreat from this fundamental principle.

The Faculty Senate believes that now is the time for all of us, including our university leadership, to show a renewed commitment to bedrock principles. Our institution should continue to embrace diversity and inclusion. That includes hiring and retaining faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of our students and surrounding community. UNLV’s support for diverse faculty and staff must be clearly reflected in its organizational structure.

We believe in a policy that is enshrined in Nevada law: “It is in the best interests of this State to make full use of the skills and talents of every resident of this State.” That includes undocumented and other immigrant students.

As administrative and academic faculty, we are proud to serve all of our students.

Approved by Faculty Senate, October 14, 2025

On September 30, 2025, Interim President Heavey and Acting Provost Korgan sent an all-campus email titled “Guidance on Free Speech, Academic Freedom, and Responsibilities.” The email vaguely prohibits “political activities during work hours” and severely limits the discussion of “political issues” in the classroom. The e-mail may be interpreted as suggesting that the university might sanction faculty and staff for political speech off campus as well as on campus. In the current political environment, a vast range of subject matters may be considered political. To discuss the effectiveness of vaccines may be political. To suggest that immigrants are people entitled to rights and respect may be political. To refer to a student by the pronoun of his or her choice may be political. To support scientific research may be political. To study lessons of history may be political. To teach students in healthcare how to effectively communicate with immigrant patients may be political. In short, the production of knowledge, teaching and service are all potentially political. Yet, these are the central missions of this university. Rather than seeking to curtail political expression, political activity and debate are part of what has made American higher education great. We believe that the NSHE Code, Title 2, Chapter 2, already balances free speech, academic freedom and responsibility. In particular, the NSHE Code makes clear that members of the faculty have the freedom and the obligation to teach, research, and discuss subjects “even when the subject requires consideration of topics which may be politically, socially or scientifically controversial.”

We are pleased that President Heavey and Provost Korgan affirmed “our shared commitment to open dialogue, the free exchange of ideas, civil and respectful debate, and the pursuit of knowledge.” We share this commitment. The Faculty Senate asks President Heavey and Provost Korgan to send an all-campus email to clarify their September 30 statement to reassure the campus that there are no new policies limiting free expression on or off campus, including speech which some may view as political or controversial.