Hello, Nevadans!

One of my favorite perks while attending UNLV was being able to use the Student Wellness Center, where I received vaccines and care for either free or at a low cost.

Once, I twisted my ankle while rushing down the stairs to get to class. Luckily, I was able to go to the student clinic and get it checked out that same day.

I call it a “perk,” but it’s a much-needed resource that helped me avoid making an appointment or waiting weeks to receive care. Here are some free resources you might not know about.

In today’s newsletter:

Thank you for starting your day with me!

From bus passes to counseling services, Nevada college students can access these resources for free. (Getty Images/Unsplash)

By Aleza Freeman

This week Nevada colleges welcomed back over 100,000 students across all its higher education institutions! Those students require support and resources to succeed, especially as higher education doesn’t come cheap.

Nevada colleges and universities offer a variety of free resources to help students: free digital textbooks, e-books, and journals; campus food pantries; mental health assistance; career services; transportation; and more.

This is not an exhaustive list of free services, so be sure to check directly with your institution of higher learning.

Night view of the UNLV building on Nov. 19, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Shutterstock/Kit Leong)

By Lizzie Ramirez

In other higher education news: In a special meeting Thursday, Aug. 27, the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents is set to discuss potentially eliminating its Inclusive, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee.

Though the committee’s intent is to foster a safe environment, the briefing paper, provided in the meeting agenda, states that the elimination of the IDEA Committee “reinforces NSHE’s commitment to fostering a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment.”

🤔 How would that work?

Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs heavily targeted by the Trump administration, resulting in federal funding and grant freezes for higher education programs and research.

Since then, UNLV began restructuring DEI initiatives. Nevada State University also terminated its diversity program last year.

🟣 DHS acknowledges noncitizen numbers it touted on voter rolls were inflated. NPR

“DHS initially announced it had found close to 16,000 noncitizens on Nevada’s voter list. But a DHS official acknowledged in the meeting with Nevada officials that number was ‘the ceiling’ and each voter still had to be manually reviewed. Then, a day later, DHS provided the state with a list of 185 ID numbers pertaining to voters the agency said it was confident were noncitizens.”

🟣 After 2 Lombardo vetoes, lawmakers again push bill to cap senior rent increases. Nevada Current

“The bill draft request approved Monday revives previously failed legislative efforts to offer some rent stabilization for seniors by capping rent from increasing more than 10% for a five year period.”

🟣 Domestic violence shelter Shade Tree marks end to restoration, expansion effort. KNPR

“The shelter had to undergo restoration after a catastrophic pipe burst last January. Shade Tree’s 25-year-old building now has 250 shelter beds, the most of any local domestic violence shelter with a public address. The beds are redesigned to offer more privacy than the old, barracks-style arrangement.”

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Jannelle Calderón with stories from Aleza Freeman and Lizzie Ramirez. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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