The Board of Regents of Western New Mexico University met for its annual February meeting in Santa Fe on Thursday, February 4 and heard from several higher education officials before passing a number of action items.
The meeting began with an economic outlook by State Senator John Arthur Smith who represents Luna County, home to WNMU’s Deming campus. Several other officials including Lt. Governor John Sanchez State Senator Howie Morales, and Higher Education Secretary Dr. Barbara Damron followed Senator Smith.
The officials discussed the current state of the economy as well as the funding formula colleges and universities use to receive state funding.
On the agenda, included the passage of a transmittal bill, a technical step needed to move forward on funding the renovation of Fleming Hall, home to the University Museum. Voters approved the $3.2 million project in 2014.
Regents approved the acquisition of two properties on the 12th Street side of campus for future use as laid out in the growth vision of the University Master Plan. The properties were for both for sale.
A lease agreement with Power New Mexico (PNM) was tabled for future passage, as Regents requested further research on the subject. The agreement lays out a proposal for WNMU to use solar power panels at two campus locations. The installation of the panels is projected to save WNMU thousands of dollars in electrical costs and furthers the universities sustainability goals.
The approval of the state audit was also tabled for discussion at the March meeting that is tentatively scheduled for March 1 at the WNMU-Deming campus.