Digital Commons Network^™

Higher Education Cost Leads To Increased Education Debt, Nasreen Bakhtary

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

A college education is a rite of passage for many young adults in the United States. The rate of college attendance by high school graduates has been growing steadily for more than 20 years. More than six in ten high school graduates now continue their education after high school. At the close of twentieth century, higher education appears to be more important than ever to our economy and our competitive position in the world, and to an individual's chances of sharing in U.S. prosperity. In an era of increasing income inequality, strengthening and broadening educational opportunities is key not only …

Marketing The City Of North Las Vegas: Marketing Plan And Image Enhancement Program, Janet Zimmerman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Like many other Southwestern states, Nevada is experiencing a tremendous growth in population. As the second fastest growing city in Nevada, North Las Vegas is facing its own unique challenges and opportunities. Growth in Southern Nevada has also brought internal competition for those residents and businesses entering the area. It has also created a need to update the city's image and appeal.

One example of how a city effectively enhanced its image can be found in the same population area, Henderson, Nevada. Henderson, the state's fastest growing community, is attracting new residents and businesses at a rate that was 1.5 …

A Comparison Of Public Agency And Casino Employee Turnover Rates In Las Vegas, Timothy A. Clemens

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The primary focus of this professional paper is to determine and then compare turnover rates between public agencies and the gaming industry in the Las Vegas area. The paper's intention is to discover what differences and similarities in employee turnover rates exist between public agencies and casinos. A secondary focus is to determine if the public sector can provide any lessons to lower employee turnover to the Las Vegas gaming industry. This secondary focus is based on the assumption that public agencies have higher employee retention (and, therefore, a lower rate of turnover) than those found within the Las Vegas …

The United States Federal Law Enforcement Response To Increased Drug Smuggling On The Southwest Border, Even Rosenthal

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In recent years the United States Southwest Border has had a tremendous increase in drug smuggling from Mexico to the United States. Various federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies have stepped up their efforts to combat this increased influx of narcotics into the United States. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United States Customs, and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) are the lead agencies combating the drug trade.

What Is Y2k And How Did The University Of Nevada System Solve It?, Diane R. Dietrich

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The turn of the century change from 1999 to 2000 will create chaos for the world's computer systems. This paper will discuss the causes of the Y2K problem, the reaction to this problem by the University of Nevada System Computer Services and possible repercussions of this problem for Nevada, the United States and the world.

Unlv Residence Hall Recycling & Reuse Program For Move-In And Move-Out, Angela Michelson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The goal of this thesis was to develop a program for the UNLV Residence Hall Recycling & Reuse Program for Move-In and Move-Out that would collect unwanted and unneeded materials from the residents and put them to use. Move-In collected cardboard boxes for recycling while Move-Out collected usable items such as shoes, clothes, food, bedding, and school supplies for resale. In order to have a good collection turnout, a combination of advertising and resident and staff education was conducted. Letters were sent to Resident Assistants (RA’s) and Complex Coordinators and posters and other advertisements were placed in high traffic areas …

Geochemistry And Petrogenesis Of The Bonanza King Mafic Intrusive Complex, Trinity Terrane Ophiolite, California, Keith R. Willse

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Bonanza King mafic intrusive complex (MIC) (>25 km^2₎ of the Trinity terrane ophiolite, northern California, consists of cogenetic plutonic and dike lithologies. Steep intrusive contacts exist between cumulate pyroxenite, isotropic gabbro, and peridotite country rock. Near vertical east-west trending, bimodal dikes intruded gabbro and are centered within the complex. Geochemical modeling indicates taht accumulation/fractionation of a gabbroic parental magma produced lithologic trends of cumulate pyroxenite and fractionated gabbro and dike lithologies. Similarities between all lithologies suggest cogenetic formation of all the elements of the Bonanza King MIC during the Late Silurian (431 +/- 3).

Parental magma …

The Origin Of Brucite In Hydrothermally Altered Limestone Near Devil Peak, Nevada, Rhonda L. Knupp

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Open-space brucite was identified in veins crosscutting hydrothermally altered limestone near the Devil Peak rhyolite plug in southern Nevada. The brucite occurs with serpentine, calcite, chalcedony, hydromagnesite, dolomite, and clinochlore.

Brucite usually forms as a replacement mineral, but textural evidence indicates that the brucite at Devil Peak precipitated in open space. The presence of chalcedony in veins indicates the temperature of the hydrothermal fluid was <180^oC during and after mineral deposition. Thermodynamic modeling shows this temperature is too low for replacement brucite to form, thus the low temperature of alteration may be a factor in this unusual occurrence of …

Life Beyond Nuclear Testing The Nevada Test Site, Fina Martinez-Myers

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Nevada Test Site (NTS) has served a crucial role in protecting the nation's security over the last 50 years. Changing national budgets and fiscal priorities have signaled dramatic adjustments for the NTS. Following the 1992 nuclear testing moratorium, the U.S. government has begun to make parts of the NTS available for private-sector use in an effort to generate money, utilize the Test Site's unique resources and capabilities, and provide economic development to southern Nevada. The initiative to attract private industry to the NTS is similar to activities taking place at other nuclear facilities across the nation. With a change …

An Analysis Of The Impact Of The Internet As A Marketing Tool For Economic Development In Municipal Governments In The Western Region Of The United States, Jacquelin Risner

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This professional paper is a cross-sectional analysis of the western United States that explores the research question of whether the internet, when used as a marketing tool, has an impact on urban economic development for municipal governments. Economic development has changed throughout the years. It is now global in perspective. The necessity for municipal governments to compete on a global level requires an investigation into new technology and its importance to economic development efforts. Specifically, the advent of the internet and its significance to economic development in municipal governments was explored. A survey was constructed and sent to one hundred …

Public Participation In Clark County, Nevada: An Analysis Of Public Participation In The Land Use Planning Process, Fred R. Turnier

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper explores public participation as determined through three land use planning case studies in Clark County, Nevada. Chapter One outlines the existing conditions for public participation and introduces a set of questions to be explored. Chapter Two defines the scope and methodology employed in the research. Chapter Three is a literature review for levels of public participation. The next Chapter discusses statutory requirements for planning and formal public participation. Further, Chapter Four outlines the events leading up to a revised planning participation process and implementation in three land use plan updates. Finally, Chapter Four explores themes derived through the …

A Comparison Study Of The San Francisco Community Board Whole Schools Conflict Resolution Project, Kimberli Huston

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The key purpose of this study was to compare and contrast the San Francisco Whole Schools Conflict Resolution Project to the School Mediation Program utilized in Clark County, Nevada. The evaluation further assessed the impact the San Francisco Project had on incidents of school-related violence in order to project these figures to the Clark County Program.

The methods used in this evaluation included a review of the implementation processes and training components for each conflict resolution program. The researcher also conducted a pre- and post- training analysis of San Francisco Unified School District incidents of school-related violence. Additionally, the Clark …

Factors Affecting Participation In Senior Center Programs, Betty J. Jefferson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study investigated whether the factors of relationships, recreation, relatedness, and reward would affect participation in senior centers. Demographic variables of age, sex, and socio-economic status and enabling variables of health, transportation, and income were also investigated. Data were collected from a sample of 57 older adults (aged 55 and over) from three Las Vegas Senior Centers using an instrument developed by the investigator. Findings revealed that relationships, recreation, and relatedness contributed to reasons for participation. Rewards did not seem to affect participation. In terms of demographics, more participants tended to be older, female, and educated. Enabling variables revealed participants …

The Geochronology And Geochemistry Of The Bearhead Rhyolite, Jemez Volcanic Field, New Mexico, Leigh Justet

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Around 82% of mapped Bearhead Rhyolite (Main Cluster) and Peralta Tuff appears to have been derived from a relatively long-lived (~680 ka), large, shallow (Earth's surface) magma chamber that did not produce a caldera-forming eruption. Although volatile contents were great enough (~ wt.% H₂O), no large-scale explosive eruptions occurred because magma may have been tectonically vented. The lack of systematic chemical variation within the Main Cluster with time during this ~680 ka interval may imply that erupted magmas were physically separated from each other by fault-formed cupolas in the roof of the magma chamber. These results are significant …

Golf Courses In Southern Nevada Will Significantly Impact The Water Management Efforts By Using Recycled Water Rather Than Potable Water To Irrigate Their Turf, Sean D. Ainsworth

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

As the number of people continually move to the Las Vegas Valley and take up residence, the possibility of "running out of water" can become a reality. Having large water users (i.e. golf courses) irrigate their turf with recycled water, they will significantly impact the water management efforts in the Las Vegas Valley. When each course is irrigating their turf with recycled water, this will help ease the drinking water demand in the valley, especially during the peak demand season (summer).

The Las Vegas Monorail, An Innovative Solution For Public Transportation Problems Within The Resort Corridor, Cam C. Walker

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Las Vegas Monorail project is the first and quite possibly the only private sector endeavor to construct mass transit grade transportation at no cost to the taxpayer, and with no public sector investment, subsidy, or guarantee. The Las Vegas Monorail project follows a structure similar to the innovative toll road projects of the last decade, illustrating how other transportation problems can be solved by similar procedures. This study provides an opportunity to get an inside look at the process of designing, building, operating, maintaining, and financing a major transportation project in Las Vegas and the unique cooperation between public …

Do User Fees Violate Nonmember Rights?, Jerry Hartman

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

User fees are moneys charged non-union members by their representative union for the purpose of processing grievances. The non-member has to request the union to represent them in order for the union to do so. They may also hirer private representation at their own cost. User fees violate the intent of right-to-work laws in Nevada. The Nevada Local Government Employee-Management Board was wrong when they allowed Union/Local 1107 to charge such fees. The "Executive Board Policy" posted by Local 1107 on union bulletin boards announcing the fees for representation was coercive and discriminatory. According to survey, 40% of the respondents …

A Comparative Assessment Of The Status, Structure And Process Utilized By Nevada's Family Support And Preservation Consortia To Achieve Collaboration, Marlys A. Morton

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper presents a framework for understanding inter-organizational collaboration and describes and analyzes how collaboration was used as a method to build new service networks, the characteristics of the consortia, and the status of the collaborative processes.

Although the literature on inter-organizational collaboration in the human services is increasing, little is known about how regional consortia view the process of working together towards a common purpose. The results reported in this paper are intended to help fill that gap.

The findings reported in this study are based on a survey process using a standardized questionnaire to study the collaborative status. …

Rio Natural Gas, The Alternative Fuel Of The Future, Peter Garner

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Automobile exhaust is a major contributor of harmful air pollutants. Exhaust emissions include water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrous oxides (NOX), sulfur oxides (SOX), hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate matter (PM), and of these the four major air pollutants are CO, HC, NOX, and PM. Particulate matter is predominantly emitted from diesel fuel burning vehicles. In order to aid in reduction of air pollution, and reduce dependence on foreign oil imports, federal legislation has been enacted. The two prominent acts are the National Energy Security Act in 1992, which mandates use of alternative fuels, and the Clean Air …

A Comparative Policy Analysis On The Effectiveness Of Implementing Student Uniforms In Public School Districts Within The United State From 1993 Through 1998, Desiree Hiestand

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze student uniform policies in public school districts within the United States and to ascertain whether or not they are effective. Available information from America's 70 largest school districts is collected and compared to determine if the policies are feasible. Findings indicate there is a broad spectrum of ways in which the districts address student attire and imply that most of the districts are not adapting uniform policies, but are leaving the decision up to individual schools and to the parents. Districts that are adapting policies boast favorable results. Although statistical …

Nevada Procurment Laws For Computer Related Items For Public Agencies, Rick Hunsaker

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Nevada procurement laws for public agencies generally require open, competitive bidding for any item that exceeds $10,000. Public agencies are also required to accept the lowest "responsive" and "responsible" bid. A "responsive bid is one which has addressed all the requirements of the bid documents. All forms must be properly completed and signed. A "responsible" bid is one in which the bidder proves the ability to perform the contract and has the resources to fulfill all the requirements of the contract. If a bidder fails to comply with all of the requirements in the contract documents, then the agency …

Nevada's High Technology Crime Task Force, Dorinda A. Hollenbeck

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

With the dramatic advances in computer technology in recent decades, the increase of crimes committed using high technology has skyrocketed. Losses to corporations and governmental agencies have totalled millions if not billions of dollars per year. Victims are beginning to speak out and ask for help. Law enforcement agencies throughout the country are teaming together to create specialized crime units and task forces in an attempt to successfully combat computer related crimes. Nevada is one of the many states which is in the infancy stages of developing such a task force. The Sacramento Valley High Tech Crime Task Force has …

What Does The Gaming Industry Pay In Taxes, And Does The Gaming Industry Pay A Proportionate Share?, Jewelene Nelson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The purpose of this paper is to research what the gaming industry pays in taxes to the local and state governments, and if the gaming industry pays a proportionate share of taxes compared to the other sources of tax revenue generated from other non-gaming businesses in the State of Nevada. The scope of the paper is limited to the State of Nevada, and more specifically, Clark County. The sources used were personal observations, as well as published literature. In conclusion, the research will show that not only does the gaming industry pay a proportionate share of taxes to the local …

Probationary Periods- Promoting Excellence Or Legel Loophole?, Daryl R. Privott

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This study, prepared for the Department of Public Administration, will evaluate the use and perceived effectiveness of probationary periods within the State of Nevada government. The probationary period is widely used throughout the private and public sectors; however very little systematic data has been collected on this topic. The probationary period can be valued as the most valid determinant of job performance and seen as the last step in the selection process or it can be a tool to deny first amendment rights. The effective use of probationary periods should be of importance to private and public agencies, managers, and …

Uncertainty In Recharge From Subsidence Craters At Frenchman Flat, Nevada Test Site: Impacts Of Initial And Boundary Conditions And Media Properties, David Matthew Ely

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Nevada Test Site has over 400 subsidence craters formed by the collapse of overlying rock following underground nuclear tests. Under natural conditions, infiltration and recharge would not be considered likely due to infrequent precipitation events and extreme evapotranspiration. Crater U5a in Frenchman Flat was chosen for study because it intercepts significantly more drainage than surrounding craters. Vadose zone modeling was conducted to test the sensitivity of water movement to boundary and initial conditions. The effects of ponding depth was negligible but depth of wetting front movement was highly dependent on the lateral extent of the ponds. The model was …

Democracy Behind Barbed Wire: Examining The Political Culture Of Japanese American Evacuees, Allen Atkinson

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This paper explores the relationship between culture and political behavior through an investigation of those Japanese Americans who were denied due process and imprisoned during World War Two simply for being of Japanese descent. Military necessity was the reason cited for the government's action, although racism, war hysteria and economic competition also played a major role.

At the time there was a general belief among Caucasian Americans that the Japanese in America had avoided Americanization and could not be trusted to participate in democratic processes. It was suggested that their political and civic culture was an obstacle to the achievement …

Vegetation Analysis: A Graphical Analysis Of Plant Succession In Desert Communities Affected By Fire, Jeff Lantow

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The Mojave Desert is affected by fire every year. With each fire comes the removal of old growth and, in its place, new growth – consisting primarily of those species which thrive in disturbed areas. The focus of my research is to look at plant communities that have been disturbed by fire, and examine the successional pathway of these disturbed environments. The seven environments I analyzed were burned within the last twenty years and are found in the Coleogyne ramosissima ecotone throughout the Spring Mountain range near Las Vegas, Nevada. The data was collected with randomly chosen circle plots in …

Water Conservation In The Las Vegas Valley, Judith M. Keir

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This thesis deals primarily with residential use of water in the Las Vegas Valley, an arid climate located in the Mojave Desert, and whether the education of people living here has any bearing on whether or not they conserve water. Many of the residents of the Las Vegas Valley have moved from other areas of the country, and perhaps are not aware of the fact that there is a limited supply of water available to the Valley. I believe that people are not necessarily wasteful, and that they would want to conserve water, if they were aware that conservation and …

Stachybotrys: Is Nevada At Risk?, Terrylynn C. Foley

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Stachybotrys chartarum (atra) is a toxigenic fungus that is known to adversely impact the health of animals. Until recently, there have only been a few documented clinical reports linking Stachybotrys chartarum to human health effects. Scientists are increasingly convinced that Stachybotrys and its metabolites are responsible for several adverse health effects experienced by people all over the world, although conclusive proof has yet to be established. All the physical requirements needed for indoor Stachybotrys sporulation and growth is provided through water leaks (plumbing, roof or ceiling), flood events, nutrient sources (cellulose and nitrogen), pH, and temperature(23° - 28°C). Stachybotrys has …

Lead Shot Concentration In Soil At The Overton Wildlife Management Area, Nevada, George R. Bertoty

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

During the spring of 1998, soil samples were collected from two areas at the Overton Wildlife Management Area (OWMA), located in the Moapa Valley of Clark County, Nevada. Lead shot has been banned for the hunting of waterfowl since 1986 but is still legal for upland game hunting. Both types of hunting occur at OWMA. One area sampled is a cultivated field and serves primarily as a dove hunting area. The other area is primarily a waterfowl hunting area and is flooded during the waterfowl-hunting season. Lead shot was recovered from 83% of the samples from the dove hunting area, …