CONTACT: Frank D. Martinez, 277-1811

March 14, 2002 UNM REGENTS APPROVE OPERATING AGREEMENT WITH UNM GALLUP The University of New Mexico Board of Regents this week approved an operating agreement that empowers the UNM Gallup Branch Local Board to serve in an advisory capacity to the UNM Regents. The agreement "is founded on the recognition of the need and opportunity for both boards and campuses to partner together to provide quality educational services through a cooperative, coordinated effort," said Sandra Begay-Campbell, a senior member of the Technical Staff of Sandia National Laboratories who is a member of the UNM Board of Regents and who is originally from Gallup. "This agreement is significant because the long awaited operating agreement clarifies and enhances the relationship between UNM Main Campus and its largest branch campus. It is viewed as a model for all the other branches," she said. According to the agreement, the UNM Gallup Branch Local Board will be responsible for carrying out specific duties and responsibilities relative to the overall operation of the UNM Gallup Branch. For example, the Local Board will approve and recommend an annual budget for the UNM Gallup Branch to the UNM Board of Regents; approve and certify the tax levy, as required by law, to the McKinley County Commission; and call elections for tax levies for the Gallup Branch, after approval by the UNM Board of Regents. Current members of the UNM Gallup Branch Local Board are J.R. Thompson, Chair; Carmelita Sanchez, Vice Chair; Bill Bright, Secretary; Ruby Wolf and Ernest Mackel. Brett Newberry, Theresa Dowling and Kathy Johnson. # # #

The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981