Notes from May 1999 Regents Meeting

Notes from the May 14, 1999, meeting of the New Mexico Tech Board of Regents

Present:

• Robert E. Taylor
• Randy Horn
• Sid Gutierrez
• Kate Wavrik
  

Enrollment

President Daniel H. López announced that enrollment for the fall 1999 semester continues to show a marked improvement. The number of students who have paid an admission deposit is up about 21 percent, from 204 last year to 259 this year.

Legislative Update

López also presented an update on the just-completed legislative session. The budget, which was passed and signed, included a five-percent salary increase for faculty and a four-percent salary increase for staff. However, López reported that additional money had been identified to allow a five-percent salary increase for staff as well.

Distance Education

López gave a short briefing on distance education at Tech. During the spring 1999 semester, Tech delivered four distance education classes to outside organizations and colleges and received six classes from UNM and NMSU. Providing more classes is difficult because of the way distance education is funded.

Personnel Matters

López reported that Dr. John Wilson has been appointed chair of the Earth and environmental science department.

Dr. Allan Gutjahr of the mathematics department was granted emeritus status. He will be retiring in August 1999.

Promotions to full professor:

• Dr. Curtis Barefoot, professor of mathematics
• Dr. Andrew Sung, professor of computer science

Promotions to associate professor and granted tenure:

• Dr. Emily Nye, associate professor of English
• Dr. Chris Palmer, associate professor of chemistry
• Dr. Tanya Pietraß, associate professor of chemistry
  

Tenure-track appointments:

• Lawrence J. Clark, assistant professor of English
• Dr. Bhaskar S. Majumdar, associate professor in materials and metallurgical engineering
• Dr. Scott Zeman, assistant professor of history
• Dr. Brian S. Brister, petroleum geologist for the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Minerals Resources

Financial Matters

Vice President Denny Peterson reported that the financial status of the school is strong.

The vice presidents and directors of the research centers reported on efforts in their organizations to allocate resources in support of the Strategic Plan. Regent Taylor requested that the administration prepare a briefing on how overhead monies are allocated to be presented at the next regents' meeting.

Peterson reviewed the 1999-2000 operating budget. The regents approved the operating budget, as well as faculty and staff raises.

The board also approved the purchase of about 130 acre feet of water rights.

Investment Policy

The regents approved a revision to the New Mexico Tech Investment Policy to reflect the current investment pool ratios.

New Residence Hall Construction

An architect from the firm of Dekker/Perich/Sabatini reviewed plans for a new residential complex to be located on the south side of campus, near Baca Hall. The three-story complex will have two wings consisting of two-bedroom/one-bath and four-bedroom/two-bath units. Each unit will also have a shared kitchen and living space. The complex will add 144 beds to campus housing.

The regents accepted the plans and approved the construction of the halls. Construction is scheduled to begin soon.

Executive Session

The board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters. At 6 p.m., the regents declared a recess until Saturday morning.

May 15, 1999

The board reconvened after the recess from Friday's meeting. All the regents were present.

Graduation List

The board unanimously approved the list of candidates for graduation.

Executive Session

The board returned to executive session to finish its discussion of personnel matters. After the executive session, the board reported that it had taken action on the president's salary, and he will receive a 7.5 percent raise at the beginning of the fiscal year.