Faculty
Senate meets new UNM regents
President
Garcia reports on legislative initiative
By Carolyn
Gonzales
Three of
the four new regents attended the recent Faculty Senate meeting.
Jamie Koch, Maria Griego-Raby and Andrea Cook, student-regent,
listened to comments from senators about some of the qualities
they would like to see in a new UNM president. Griego-Raby now
chairs the search committee. The fourth new regent, Donald Salazar,
was unable to attend.
President
F. Chris Garcia described UNMs current legislative initiative.
After reviewing various packages to fund higher education, Garcia
said that the Legislative Finance Committees package is
the most fully developed, most likely to be accepted.
He said that it calls for full formula funding and two percent
compensation.
Garcia
has also met with civic groups, Mayor Martin Chávez,
Senator Jeff Bingaman and Congresswoman Heather Wilson. Our
fates are linked together. Whats good for the University
is good for the state, Garcia said.
Provost
Brian Foster reported that a search is underway for a Division
of Continuing Education dean. The position has undergone a structural
change, he said. Jerónimo Domínguez, who held
both positions, is now Extended University vice provost exclusively.
Faculty
Senate President Beverly Burris said the drive to have a faculty
member named to the Board of Regents is pending
and Jamie Koch is supportive of it although he would rather
see the number on the board raised to nine rather than eliminating
any community regent positions.