Notes from October 1998 Regents Meeting

Present:

Sid Gutierrez, presiding

Bill Gruner

Randy Horn

Bob Taylor

1. Dr. Kalman Oravecz has been granted sabbatical leave for the 1999 spring semester.
2. Final figures for the 1998 fall semester show that enrollment has increased by more than five percent over last fall.
3. Bob Tacker, director of Information Services Department (ISD), reported that ISD began addressing the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem more than 18 months ago. At this point, the telephone and e-mail systems are in compliance and will not be affected when the year 2000 arrives. The financial system will be updated this quarter. "We're in very good shape," said Tacker.
4. The Strategic Planning team continues to meet regularly and is currently drafting a vision statement for New Mexico Tech and has started discussing institutional values. Regent Gutierrez expressed his thanks to all those participating in the process.
5. President Daniel H. López informed the regents that the Council of Presidents, made up of the presidents of each of New Mexico's six four-year universities, has established priorities for higher education. These include establishing an accounta bility process for higher education, improving teacher education, and strengthening economic development in New Mexico. The Council also defined its priorities for the coming legislative session. The Council plans to pursue full funding of the higher educ ation formula and increase faculty salaries to bring them into line with their peers.
6. The Commission on Higher Education has named Tech's Weir/Cramer renovation as its top priority for funding in the 1999 legislative session.
7. López announced that he has been named chairman of the research committee for New Mexico First.

Dr. Melvin Hatch granted emeritus status in the Department of Chemistry. Hatch is retiring January 1, 1999, after 31 years here at New Mexico Tech.

The board approved an offer to buy 196 acre-feet of water rights at $4,240 per acre-foot. The sale is contingent on the acceptance of the price by the sellers and the approval of the New Mexico State Engineer. Tech does not expect the St ate Engineer to approve the purchase of the full 196 acre-feet.

The regents approved the sale of a laser for a minimum bid of $10,000. The sale also needs the approval of the State Board of Finance.

The board approved the list of priorities for the Research and Public Service Project appropriations as follows:

1. EMRTC: Additional $25,930 and a .54 FTE for a total of $544,530
2. Geophysical Research Center: Additional $151,800 and 2.5 FTE for a total budget of $891,900
3. NM Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources: Additional $70,500 for a total of $3,352,900
4. PRRC: Additional $114,384 for a total of $1,538,284
5. Science Fair/Science Olympiad: A total of $94,591
6. Intramural Athletics: Additional $75,000 for a total of $212,700
7. Bureau of Mine Inspection: No change in budget for a total of $256,800
8. NM MESA: Additional $200,000 for a total of $920,000
9. Phillips Research Site Tech Transfer Support Group: Additional $50,000 for a total of $70,000
10. MST Program: A total of $145,640
11. Student Services Enhancement (new request): $28,000

The regents approved the selection of three local businesses--A & P Auto Parts, CarQuest of Socorro, and Scott's Auto Supply--to provide maintenance and parts for the EMRTC and Physical Plant fleets over the next two years. Tech esti mates that it will spent about $100,000 per year.

The board granted permission for Tech employees to purchase service credits in the New Mexico Educational Retirement Fund with pre-tax dollars.

Tech student Wayne Davidson presented the two priority items for the Associated Students of New Mexico for the coming legislative session:

1. Compensation for both faculty and graduate students
2. Library funding

The board approved HCH Administration to continue as the third party administrator for the Employee Benefit Trust.

The board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters. No action was taken.