IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 3-10-06 CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
SILVER CITY—The 2006 New Mexico Legislative Session was very successful for Western New Mexico University.
“We had the best legislative session in years, highlighted by $7 million dollars for the Juan Chacon Building, approximately $1 million dollars for infrastructure through Building Renewal and Replacement funds, $825,000 divided among several capital projects, a pay raise of 4.5 percent for our employees, additional money for critical programs like teacher education, nursing, and athletics along with vital funding for child development. We are very pleased about this Legislative Session,” said WNMU President John E. Counts.
In House Bill 622, Governor Bill Richardson approved $350,000 for the WNMU Museum through severance tax funds and an additional $50,000 from the general fund. This will be added to the $40,000 the museum received last year.
Also in HB 622, funded through the general fund, was $100,000 for dormitory renovations, $50,000 for lighting at the Kilpatrick Tennis Courts that will be combined with $50,000 received last year, $150,000 to purchase and install information technology at WNMU, and $125,000 for the M.E.Ch.A. Building renovation. The funding for the M.E.Ch.A. Building will be added to the $100,000 received last year for the project.
Items in HB 622 that were vetoed by the Governor were $50,000 for additional dorm renovations and $95,000 for information technology at the Gallup Graduate Studies Center.
Senate Bill 415 approved $175,000 for continuation and expansion of the web-based teacher preparation program and $60,000 to expand the bachelor of science nursing program. Funding for these projects will come from the general fund. The governor vetoed $60,000 for instructional television in SB 415.
Senate Bill 301 contains more than $118 million for higher education capital projects. WNMU has a total of $7 million earmarked for the Juan Chacon Career and Technical Education Building renovation and expansion. The bond issue will go before the voters through a statewide election in November.
“I regard the Juan Chacon Building as the future of this university. It is so many things wrapped up into one. First and foremost, it gives us badly needed space for the nursing program, the new digital media production program, the distance learning center, computer and network technology programs, and office and drafting technology programs. In addition, it consolidates all of our student services offices. We will also be able to take care of the structural deficiencies in the existing building. In the process, the old Student Memorial Building will be torn down and replaced with a lovely green space and additional parking. And, finally we will consolidate administrative services in Castorena Hall,” said President Counts.
This is President Counts’ 13th legislative session lobbying for WNMU funding.
“When I took this job there was basically only three budget funding lines: the basic budget, athletics and a line item for extended services. Much of the additional funding you see today did not exist in the beginning. We have steadily been chipping away to get additional funding,” added Counts.
“We are very grateful to have the support shown for WNMU and our students by Senator Ben Altamirano and Governor Richardson. It is critical to our funding,” said President Counts. “We are also very thankful to have Rep. Dianne Hamilton, Rep. Manuel Herrera, Rep. Dona Irwin and Sen. John Arthur Smith battling for much-needed funding at WNMU. It is a real team effort that benefits Western and the communities it serves. Their efforts are very much appreciated.”
The Associated Students of WNMU made their presence known in Santa Fe this year as they lobbied for various projects at WNMU.
“I heard numerous positive comments from the Legislature about our students this session. They did the greatest marketing job for this university as they successfully lobbied for various projects. I am proud of each and every one of them,” said Counts. “Their efforts contributed greatly to making this session one of the most successful legislative sessions ever. The session was great for WNMU,” concluded Counts. “Our team hit a home run.”
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WNMU News!