Statement from NSHE Board of Regents Chair Kevin J. Page and Vice Chair Rick Trachok

We are writing in response to a press inquiry regarding the allegation of “plagiarism” of the works of Brookings and Brookings Mountain West. This matter has been fully reviewed by legal counsel to the Board of Regents, Vice Chancellor for Legal Affairs, Brooke Nielsen. Vice Chancellor Nielsen has informed the Board that there is no factual or legal basis for the allegation of “plagiarism.” In light of all of the relevant e-mail communications between Chancellor Klaich, Frank Woodbeck and Mark Muro regarding the NSHE’s use of the Brookings’ STEM Challenge Grant idea, Vice Chancellor Nielsen has reported the following:

In those communications, it is clear that Mr. Muro gave permission to NSHE to use the Brookings’ Challenge Grant idea in the SB 391 Committee hearings, and initially, he requested that there be no attribution regarding the source of the idea. After NSHE submitted a written description of the proposed STEM Workforce Challenge Grant Program to the SB 391 Committee, Mr. Muro requested attribution. As soon as he made that request, the STEM Workforce Challenge Grant Program document was resubmitted to the SB 391 Committee with attribution to Mr. Muro and Brookings. After seeing the revised document with the attribution, Mr. Muro indicated that he was satisfied, saying “We’re good and I appreciate it.” Under these circumstances, there is no factual or legal basis for the allegation of plagiarism.

As we stated in our release issued on Dec. 24, 2014, we agree with Drs. Muro and Lang that the critical focus must remain on policy, and that Brookings and Brookings Mountain West are key partners in advancing good policy for Nevada and beyond.

The following is the statement of Chair Page and Vice Chair Trachok, issued December 24, 2014, in its entirety:

We read this morning the thoughtful statement of Drs. Lang and Muro regarding the “plagiarism” allegations of the work of Brookings and Brookings Mountain West by the NSHE. We agree with the fundamental points raised by Drs. Muro and Lang which are consistent with an initial internal review, namely, that while this could have certainly been handled better, the critical focus must remain on policy.

The Board of Regents has acknowledged Brookings and Brookings Mountain West as key partners in advancing good policy for Nevada and beyond. The Board has embraced the STEM Challenge Grant concept which was advanced by the important work of Brookings and looks forward to working with Brookings to see that this critical proposal is funded in the upcoming session of the Legislature.

Like Drs. Lang and Muro, we, as Chair and Vice Chair also consider this matter behind us and will, as they suggest, “…return now to the work of developing a stronger system for delivering top-flight industry-led regional skills initiatives.”

Kevin J. Page
Chair

Rick Trachok
Vice Chair