The Western New Mexico University Board of Regents approved the post-tenure review for Dr. Manda Jost, the Revised Five-Year Capital Outlay Projects and Institutional Capital Projects and Infrastructure Projects, and the 2018-2033 Master Plan during their telephonic meeting on Friday, August 10, 2018.
Regent Chair Janice Baca-Argabright; Regent Vice Chair Dr. Carl Foster; Student Regent and Secretary/Treasurer Arlean Murillo; and Regents Dr. Dan Salzwedel and Jerry Walz were all in attendance by phone.
The board unanimously approved Dr. Jost’s post-tenure review, following WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard’s praise on her performance in the realms of teaching, scholarship and community service. “She is eligible to continue her tenure appointment,” Dr. Shepard said.
In the summer hearings, the regents added three critical projects to the university’s 5-Year Capital Outlay Projects & Institutional Capital Projects & Infrastructure Projects plan. The request for exterior wall surface repair on Miller Library and the Student Memorial Building, the request for HVAC controls and mechanical infrastructure in 35 buildings, and the request for HVAC, ADA and Fire Upgrades to Regents Row were named as most urgent. Approval of the revised plan means that WNMU can resubmit the requests to the higher education commission for approval. Regent Salzwedel moved to approve the plan as submitted with the understanding that action be taken immediately, and the rest of the regents voted with their approval.
The regents also approved the 2018-2033 Master Plan, which Vice President of Business Affairs Kelley Riddle presented, saying that the regents had been updated by architect Jason Clark of Studio D at two previous meetings and that feedback received then has been incorporated into the currently proposed plan. Regent Salzwedel moved to approve the plan, again because the vetting process had already taken place. Regent Walz asked for reassurance that this plan is just a blueprint of potential projects rather than a hard and fast list of what will definitely be done. President Shepard confirmed that the plan outlines what WNMU projects to implement in the future. “Any action is subject to board approvals. Everything requires future votes from not only this board but other boards,” he said.
The regents also discussed the process for determining President Shepard’s 2018-19 Performance Goals, deciding that the members may submit written input about Dr. Shepard’s performance outcomes by August 24 and the subcommittee will meet with Dr. Shepard to develop recommendations based on the collected input. Other discussion items included board subcommittee compensation and member involvement with the Higher Education Regents Council.