Notes from April 1999 Regents Meeting
Notes from the April 6, 1999 meeting of the New Mexico Tech
Board of Regents
All the regents were present:
- Randy Horn
- Ann Murphy Daily
- Sid Gutierrez
- Bob Taylor
- Kate Wavrik
Board Business
Outgoing President Sid Gutierrez introduced the new student
regent, Kate Wavrik, a junior in petroleum engineering.
The board elected Dr. Robert Taylor as president and Randy Horn
as secretary/treasurer.
Promotion and Tenure
Dr. Robert Bond of the electrical engineering department was granted
tenure. The following also were granted tenure and promoted to
associate professor:
- Dr. Bruce Harrison (Earth & Environmental Science)
- Dr. Frank Huang (Environmental Engineering)
- Dr. Subhasish Mazumdar (Computer Science)
Sabbatical Leave
The Board was informed that Dr. William Chavez, Jr., of Tech’s
Mineral and Environmental Engineering Department, will be on sabbatical
leave during the fall 1999 semester.
Enrollment Update
The number of paid deposits as of March 31 is up 27% (182 from
143) from the same time last year; total applications are up 14%
(1029 from 900).
Legislative Update
President Daniel H. López briefed the board on the recently
completed legislative session. López reported that "a
whole host of bills" concerning higher education were introduced
during the session.
Of those, several significant pieces of legislation were passed:
Senate Joint Memorial 50 sets goals for higher education. While
the Memorial does not have the force of law, it does convey the
sentiments of the legislature toward higher education.
House Bill 37, Accountability in Government Act, is a companion
act that deals with all of state government, including higher
education. López reported that while some conflict exists
between the legislation and the Council of University Presidents'
accountability efforts, he hopes to convince both the governor
and legislature that higher education is indeed addressing the
spirit of the law.
Senate Bill 463, appropriates $1 million above and beyond Tech's
normal appropriation to address student quality of life. The funds
will be used to build a new apartment-style student residence
hall. A similar hall will be paid from federal funds to support
the counter terrorist training at EMRTC. Together, the two will
generate sufficient funds to build two additional apartment-style
halls.
Kudos
U.S. News & World Report has once again
ranked New Mexico Tech's hydrology program as the fourth best
in the country. Tech's petroleum engineering department also moved
into the tenth position in the national rankings of graduate programs.
Dr. Chris Palmer of Tech's chemistry department was awarded the
Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers,
the nation's highest award honoring young researchers at the outset
of their research careers.
Strategic Plan
López introduced the Strategic Plan by thanking the faculty
and staff who participated in the process. López emphasized
that the President's Cabinet has been charged with reviewing programs,
setting priorities, and allocating resources in light of the plan.
The regents expressed appreciation for the efforts that went into
developing the Strategic Plan and reaffirmed that they intend
to incorporate the Strategic Plan into how business is done at
New Mexico Tech. Taylor promised that the board would "track
this [Strategic Plan] with a great deal of interest and support."
The board formally adopted the Strategic Plan as presented and
agreed to add an agenda item to each subsequent meeting to discuss
two of the strategic goals in detail.
Faculty Appointments
The regents approved the appointments of Dr. Her-yuan Chen and
Dr. Thomas Engler as assistant professors of petroleum engineering.
Possible Tuition and Fee Increases
In light of lack of general appropriations act at this time, the
regents approved a tuition increase not to exceed two percent
above the credit taken by the state for tuition. (In years past,
the legislature has essentially mandated an increase in tuition
by assuming universities would raise tuition by X percent and
deducting that amount from the overall appropriation.)
The board also approved by a four-to-one vote a possible increase
in student fees by the same percentage as staff salaries increase
and a $10 increase in the bond retirement fee. Wavrik cast the
dissenting vote.
The regents also approved a fee of not more than $40 per semester
for an on-campus health center. The fee will be set after Vice
President Denny Peterson meets with students to discuss the level
of health care students are willing to pay for.
Financial Summary
Peterson reviewed the July 1998 through February 1999 financial
summary, which shows the university to be in a good position financially.
Revenue is ahead of projections, and expenditures are within budget.
Annual Budget Timeline
After extended discussion, the board authorized a continuing resolution
to use the budget from the current fiscal year as next year's
budget until the legislature again passes and the governor signs
a General Appropriation Act during the coming special session.
The discussion focused on possible reallocation of resources to
advance the Strategic Plan. Horn expressed concern that if budget
adjustments were not made at this time, no significant progress
would be made until the following fiscal year. The board instructed
the vice presidents and division directors to submit a reallocated
budget to reflect efforts necessary to support the goals of the
Strategic Plan.
Additional Business
The board was informed that students in the Rural Border Training
Program would be housed at Socorro's Holiday Inn until new housing
could be built for them on campus. Holiday Inn was the lowest
bidder who was able to meet the bid specifications.
The regents approved a revision of the New Mexico Tech Property
Control Manual, which brings the document into compliance with
government regulations and current practices.
The board granted permission to sell by sealed bid certain pieces
of excess equipment that are no longer being used.
Next Meetings
The board will meet Friday, May 14, at 1:30 p.m. for its regular
monthly meeting, and again on Saturday, May 15, at 9 a.m. to approve
the list of graduating students. If necessary, the regents will
also meet Thursday, June 10, at 9 a.m.
Kimberly Eiland
Director, Public Information Office
New Mexico Tech
keiland@admin.nmt.edu
(505) 835-5616
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