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WNMU ENROLLMENT UP 6.1%, FACULTY AND STAFF PAY RAISES APPROVED, $32.1 MILLION IN PROPOSED CAMPUS UPGRADES APPROVED  

REGENTS MEETING NOTES SUCCESSES FOR UNIVERSITY

SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico Board of Regents met a day before commencement ceremonies, May 15, on the main campus of WNMU to discuss and vote on several items. The agenda included approval of the 2008-2009 budget, approval of the 2009-2010 capital projects requests, and the election of officers.

Vice President for Student & Community Affairs Dr. Chris Farren reported an increase in enrollment of 6.1%. Student credit hours also increased by 3.7%. He credited the new dual enrollment programs, allowing high school students to enroll in university courses at no cost, as a big reason for the increase in numbers. More than 400 high school student took advantage of the dual enrollment over the last academic year.

Sherri Bays, Acting Vice President of Business Affairs, requested that the budget for the 2008-2009 year pass. It did unanimously. The new budget includes a 3% increase in faculty and staff pay which was a percentage higher than the state appropriated. The general fund appropriation for the 2008-2009 fiscal year was $20.9 million.

Bays also mentioned the successful legislative session led by WNMU President Dr. John Counts. The Regents approved all of the 2009-2010 Capital Outlay project requests. At the top of the list was infrastructure at a request total of $32.1 million. Other projects approved were the Chino Computer Center Renovation at $3.6 million, the Instructional Classroom Building (2009-2010) at $10.1 million, Fleming Hall Museum renovation (2010-2011) at $3.8 million, Athletic Facilities and Graham Gym improvements (2011-2012) at $2.2 million, property purchase (2012-2013) at $1.6 million, Castorena Hall Renovations (2013-2014) at $1.8 million, and renovations to the President’s home (2013-2014) at $518,000.

This year’s general obligation bond election includes two top capital projects; $6 million for infrastructure and $2 million for renovation of the Chino Building, which houses the Information Technology department. GO Bond approval is needed by voters in the November election.

Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Faye Vowell recommended the emeritus status of Jack Ellis. Ellis, member of the WNMU faculty for 17 years and Director of the Theatre Program, retired this month. The request passed unanimously. Also granted emeritus status was professor Dennis Miller. Also retiring this month, he served as a professor in the Natural Sciences department since 1991. Staff member Chuck Kelly was also awarded emeritus status.

The board approved the Dr. Vowell’s recommendation of promotion to Associate Professor to Laurie Barfitt, Steve Chavez, Gerald Burgess, Jeffrey Hill, Ann Marie Elder, Julie Horwitz, Shawn White, and Hamilton Williams. Those promoted to professor where Gwen Cassel, Magdaleno Manzanarez, Ron McFarland, Barbara Taylor, and Elizabeth Walker. Tenure recommendations were approved for Steve Chavez, Marita Delaney, Julie Horwitz, Claudia Leonard, William Norris, Maria Trillo, Robert Welsh, and Elizabeth Walker.

An Honorary Degree of Humane Letters was granted to Stephen Janos, former member of the WNMU Board of Regents, as requested by President Counts.

Other items discussed during new business were the proposed changes to the Faculty Handbook and Staff Senate Bylaws.

Officers to the board of regents remained the same for the new academic year. Elected were Tony Trujillo, chair; Noreen Scott, vice chair; and Danica Tarkington, secretary/treasurer. The other board members are Charles “Randy” Briggs and William “Bud” Davis.

The next regents meeting is scheduled for July 31, 2008 and is designated as a retreat.

Located in Silver City, New Mexico, Western New Mexico University has served the people of the state of New Mexico and its surrounding areas as a comprehensive, regional, rural, public coeducational university since 1893 and caters to a student body diverse in age, culture, language and ethnic background.

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