UCAM's News clips for Tuesday, December 2, 2008

1. Gap funds and Angels help move UNM technology forward (New Mexico Business Weekly)
by Kevin Robinson-Avila NMBW Staff

A bit of funding — and lots of business mentoring — is helping University of New Mexico inventors move new technology from lab to market.

The Science and Technology Corp., which manages technology transfer at UNM, approved another $100,000 in “gap funding” for four new technologies in November. That brings total awards from the STC’s “gap fund” — which launched in 2006 — to $225,000 for nine promising technologies, said STC President and CEO Lisa Kuuttila.
http://www.unm.edu/news/08DecNewsClips/02technology.htm

2. News from the Daily Lobo:

* Schmidly addresses economy in Web cast
President David Schmidly created a video Web cast on Nov. 21, using a new medium in an attempt to address student and faculty concerns about the economic crisis.
http://www.unm.edu/news/08DecNewsClips/02schmidly.htm

* Johnson consults students on fee increase
Johnson Center is surveying students to see if they'd pay an extra $3 in student fees to keep the center open late.
http://www.unm.edu/news/08DecNewsClips/02johnson.htm

* Student Health considers longer hours at cost of higher fees
Student Health and Counseling might extend its hours of operation to accommodate students with later classes and tighter schedules.
http://www.unm.edu/news/08DecNewsClips/02health.htm

* ASUNM punishes senators for breaking rules while campaigning
ASUNM's Elections Commission is taking away the voting rights of some newly elected senators for violating campaign rules.

The VOICE slate will be punished after eight of its members were accused of breaking campaigning rules in the student government election on Nov. 19.
http://www.unm.edu/news/08DecNewsClips/02asunm.htm

* University's focus on retention sacrifices quality of education (Letter to the Editor)
Our government created the housing bubble by insisting that lenders extend mortgages to low-income buyers. Our policy induced greedy loan practices through the quasi-public companies Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, which backed millions in shaky mortgages. In short, in the name of helping low-income families, we practically do away with "standards" so that everyone, whether they earned it or not, can realize their American dreams. Yes, we should help low-income families, but only those who are helping themselves.
http://www.unm.edu/news/08DecNewsClips/02letter.htm

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3. Heard the One About the Aggie Job Search? (Albuquerque Journal Editorial)

Would you keep your name in the running for the top job at New Mexico State University if you suspected a hometown favorite had the inside track? It appears none of the finalists for NMSU presidency did, and regents were forced to terminate a $90,000 nationwide search last week.
http://www.unm.edu/news/08DecNewsClips/02search.htm

4. NMSU Breaks Gift Goal (Albuquerque Journal)
By Martin Salazar, Journal Staff Writer

Three years after announcing a major fundraising campaign, New Mexico State University has shattered its $150 million goal by raising more than $202 million, officials at the Las Cruces school said Monday.
http://www.unm.edu/news/08DecNewsClips/02nmsu.htm

5. Takeover Priced at $6M (Journal North)
By Martin Salazar, Journal Staff Writer

State taxpayers could have to chip in nearly $6 million a year in operating costs if the College of Santa Fe is brought under the state's umbrella, according to an analysis by the state Higher Education Department.
http://www.unm.edu/news/08DecNewsClips/02csf.htm

6. Does State Need To Fund Another University? (Journal North)

Two state universities are apparently considering acquiring the College of Santa Fe, a private institution that has been in financial trouble for some time and faces closure if it can't find a way to stay solvent.
http://www.unm.edu/news/08DecNewsClips/02csf2.htm

7. Jennings ready for a showdown over Senate pro tem post (Las Cruces Sun News)
By The Associated Press

Democrat Tim Jennings said Monday he hasn't given up on keeping the Senate's top leadership post and will round up Republican support for a showdown in January.
http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_11116770

8. Sound Off! (Las Cruces Sun News Letter to Editor)
Sun-News report

To the author(s) of the 11/30/08 "Our View" article; Dr. Cruzado put "her cards on the table" in your newspaper 11/19/08 when Ashley Meeks quotes her stating "Should it be the will of the Board of Regents, and if I have the support of the academic community and the community at large, I would be glad to consider the invitation to apply for the position of NMSU President." Any other public statements would be inappropriate.

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9. Speak Up! (Albuquerque Journal Letter to the editor)

WHAT'S THIS about the state's potential budget shortfall causing the University of New Mexico and New Mexico Tech to cut back on travel and "unnecessary" expenses? The term "unnecessary" says those expenses shouldn't be there at all. Is anybody auditing these guys? ­ H.M.

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10. Letter to the Editor (Albuquerque Journal)

What Do I Get for the 59.5% Tax Hike?

I PURCHASED A house in July 2007. My taxes were raised 59.5 percent for 2008. My neighbor's taxes were raised 3.5 percent.

I'm sure the Taxation and Revenue Department will paint a big red X on my curb to indicate that I will get more police and fire protection than my neighbors and if I have to go to UNM Hospital, I will get a private room and a full-time nurse.

Shucks, I may even get a ride in that $5 million airplane. Do you think I will vote for any more bonds?

11. Tie a University's Funding to Its Students

THERE IS TALK on UNM's campus about making the school more environmentally responsible. A new degree is even being offered in sustainability studies. In keeping with this trend, the university and the state government should also consider making the University of New Mexico more fiscally responsible.

With UNM President David Schmidly implementing a freeze on hiring and faculty raises, university students are becoming increasingly critical of fiscal policy on campus. After all, major facility renovations and upgrades, including a $60 million renovation of The Pit, are moving forward despite the freeze on faculty spending. ...

Although the state has allocated less money to the university this year, UNM's operating budget has increased by 10.4 percent. State allocations to the school are likely to continue their decline due to tax revenues taking a hit from dropping oil prices. If the budget keeps increasing and state allocations continue to dwindle, the university will find itself having to compromise the quality of education just to keep itself afloat.

Unfortunately, the university's incentives aren't necessarily aligned with its purported educational goals. That's because a relatively minor percentage of the school's operating budget is collected from tuition, only 6.4 percent. Far more, 38.6 percent, comes from local, state and federal taxpayers.

New Mexico policy makers should consider realigning those incentives by routing a greater percentage of government money through students in the form of a voucher rather than directing it to the bureaucracy. Colorado is one state that has enacted this reform to positive effect. If New Mexico's universities are forced to compete for students, student needs will begin taking precedence over basketball and administration.

A voucher program will give students the ability to allocate government funds to whichever school they choose. In a free market system like this, schools will naturally focus more on the quality of their product ­ education ­ rather than sports facilities or outrageous administrator salaries.

COREY S. DAVIS Albuquerque

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12. Lobos Look for Answers After Cancun (Albuquerque Journal)
By Mark Smith, Journal Staff Writer

There is a reason it's called the future.

Forget the cliches. Forget the mindless Internet drivel by the lunatic fan fringe ­ the future is not now.
http://www.unm.edu/news/08DecNewsClips/02lobos.htm

13. Mumme Era Over (Albuquerque Journal)
By Randy Harrison, Journal Staff Writer

After four difficult losing football seasons, New Mexico State apparently is ready to throw in the white towel on the Hal Mumme Era.
http://www.unm.edu/news/08DecNewsClips/02nmsu2.htm

14. Source: Mumme out at NMSU (Las Cruces Sun News)
By Felix Chavez Sun-News reporter

New Mexico State University is expected to announce the firing of head football coach Hal Mumme at a press conference today.

A high-ranking official at NMSU who requested anonymity confirmed Monday afternoon that Mumme has been fired after four years on the job.
http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_11116749

15. Century-Old House in Cruces Gets Wrecking Ball (Albuquerque Journal)
By Rene Romo, Journal Southern Bureau

A developer over the weekend began demolishing a 100-year-old building abutting the New Mexico State University campus that local preservationists wanted saved.
http://www.unm.edu/news/08DecNewsClips/02nmsu3.htm

16. A Bad Father? Urlacher Fights Back (Albuquerque Journal)
By David Haugh, Chicago Tribune

God punished Brian Urlacher for being a bad father by giving him a bad back.

Nine NFL seasons of taking on fullbacks and offensive linemen didn't do it. The big pulling guard in the sky did.

Sound a little outlandish? Consider the source.
http://www.unm.edu/news/08DecNewsClips/02urlacher.htm

17. News from the Chronicle of Higher Education:
http://libproxy.unm.edu/login?url=http://chronicle.com

* Despite Alcohol Crackdown, The Party Goes On
Frostburg State University's president has won a national award for his efforts to curb drinking among his students. But how much can one man do?

* Terrorism Is Unlikely To Keep U.S. Colleges Away From India
Educators in the United States agreed that the attacks that killed nearly 175 people in Mumbai were no reason to halt overseas-study programs in India.

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18. News from Inside Higher Education:

* The Mental Health of Students and Non-Students
Major national study finds that disorders are widespread — and treatment is not — for those who are 19-25, regardless of their enrollment status.
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/12/02/mental

* Exception to the Rule
From the 1990s on, many colleges have increasingly relied on adjunct professors. Elon has gone from majority part timers to 74 percent tenure track — and it’s not done yet.
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/12/02/elon

19. Other News:

* Open Membership: Rapid Rise of College Club Teams Creates a Whole New Level of Success (NY Times)
In intercollegiate club sports, there are no athletic scholarships, no adoring crowds and minimal adult leadership.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/02/sports/02club.html?_r=1&ei=5070&emc=eta1

* Downturn paring college dreams (Boston Globe)
As their parents' investments shrink, today's college-bound high school students are scaling back their fantasies of enrolling at prestigious, expensive schools.
http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2008/12/02/downturn_paring_college_dreams?s_campaign=8315

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20. Albuquerque Media Monitoring
News clips from Monday, December 1, include stories about:

* Lobo Women's Team Picks Up 8 Points in Latest AP Poll
* ESPM Reports NMSU Has Fired Head Football Coach Hal Mumme
*
Amy Beggin is Mountain West Conferece Co-Player of the Week
* UNM Nutritionist Explains Calorie Count From Thanksgiving Dinner
http://www.unm.edu/news/08DecNewsClips/02media.htm

Susan McKinsey
Director of University Communication
Scholes Hall 160, Suite 152C
MSC05 3300
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-1989