SOCORRO, N.M. – NMT President Dr. Stephen Wells provided an update on university news at the annual spring Student Forum on Monday.

The Student Government Association and the Graduate Student Association hosted the event. Wells, along with vice presidents and other administrators fielded questions from students in the audience and via a live stream.

Wells opened the forum with an update on the COVID-19 outbreak, including general policies and advice for students. His prepared remarks also included updates on the institutional reorganization, the proposed tuition increase, the 2020 budget, capital outlay projects, room-and-board increases, and changes to student fees.

(Pictured at right: NMT President Dr. Stephen Wells addresses the student forum on Monday.)

The ongoing reorganization includes the creation of the new Vice President of Student Life, a position that replaces the V.P. of Student and University Relations, and the creation of the Office of Enrollment Management. Wells spoke about recruitment efforts and fielded several questions from students about recruiting women students, general recruiting, and graduate student recruitment.

Wells reported that the state budget is increasing by 7.6 percent in total, with Higher Education seeing a 4.4 percent increase. New Mexico Tech will see an increase of 5.3 percent, which includes 2.1 percent increase for Instruction and General, and 4 percent for salaries. Wells pointed out that only 70 percent of the salary increase is included in the budget.

Wells said the tuition increase for next year is proposed to be 3 percent. The increase in dorm costs is from 1 to 3.5 percent. The residence halls will increase $55 per semester, while the Desert Willow Apartments will increase $35 and the Mountain Springs Apartments will increase $45. All of these increases are proposals that require approval by the NMT Board of Regents.

During the Q&A session, Wells and other administrators fielded questions on a variety of topics, including mental health services, recruiting, sports clubs and sports facilities, and parking.

The event was live streamed. The full video will be available on line soon.

– NMT –