The University of New Mexico administration and faculty were surprised by Dr. Geoffrey Miller’s tweet. We are deeply concerned about the impact of the statement, which in no way reflects the policies or admission standards of UNM. We are investigating every aspect of this incident and will take appropriate action.

When UNM’s Department chair learned of the tweet, she contacted Professor Miller, who is currently on unpaid leave from UNM while at NYU.  He told her that his comment on Twitter was part of a research project. We are looking into the validity of this assertion, and will take appropriate measures. As members of the UNM community, we are all responsible for demonstrating good judgment when using social media or other communications vehicles.

Media Contact: Dianne Anderson, (505) 277‑1807; email: danderson@unm.edu

The following video is a interview from UNM Psychology Chair Jane Ellen Smith about this incident.

Innovate ABQ: A Highly-Connected Community
Universities have become the forefront of the knowledge economy. Research generated innovations are the backbone of economic development, creating knowledge jobs which in turn generate traditional jobs. Innovate ABQ is a shared effort to create an innovation initiative with the city, county, state and private partners. This project will integrate UNM’s educational and research capacity into community efforts to build a high-tech economy in Albuquerque and Central New Mexico. UNM will be involved in building a high-tech economy that creates knowledge-based jobs, and in engaging our community in raising the economic profile of the state. Under my leadership, STC’s economic development team will represent UNM in economic developments outside of UNM as well as being the point of contact for internal UNM activities related to economic development. We are working with at team to finalize our program, which will lead to the selection of a site.

UNM @ Mesa del Sol
Mesa del Sol is a true public-private partnership, having been developed in conjunction with partners that include the University of New Mexico and the New Mexico State Land Office, and the support of the City of Albuquerque, Bernalillo County and the State of New Mexico. UNM has been part of Mesa del Sol since its inception in 2006, and as a tenant, we have certainly benefited from its growth. Our exceptional Interdisciplinary Film and Digital Media (IFDM) program, which has a location at Mesa del Sol, has been built on successful partnerships with academic, industry and community partners. Last week I joined Mike Daley, the new CEO of Mesa del Sol, when he announced that UNM employees wanting to live at Mesa del Sol who contract to purchase a home at the planned community will receive a $5,000 incentive if they purchase by Sept. 2, 2013. I toured the model homes and they look great!

“The Lobo Experience:” UNM’s Next Institutional Spot
Last Monday, Janet and I had the pleasure of joining six of our talented students as they premiered the new UNM institutional spot they created this semester. This ad will be shown on TV during athletic events over the course of the next year. The spot shows a Lobo transitioning into students performing the many extraordinary things they do, from athletics to the arts and health care. What distinguishes this spot among so many other institutions’ spots is that this team filmed a live wolf, Zoerro, to emphasize the ferocity and pride that our Lobos share. Much like this beautiful wild animal, our students, staff and faculty carry themselves with dignity, representing this university and how the Lobo experience can better a person. It is truly remarkable to see the professional level of work that our students can produce. I commend University Communication and Marketing on the success of their internship program, and these students who have gone above and beyond what was expected of them. I encourage everyone to learn more about the internship, the students, and the new UNM ad.

Have a great week and Go Lobos!

Bob

Good morning.

This week marks the last of the spring semester. For many of our students, the time has come to finish a thesis, a project or a paper, take that last exam, and perhaps do a final nostalgic stroll around the Duck Pond.

For all of you who are graduating this week, congratulations! I mean that most sincerely. I remember my UNM graduations – and, each time, that feeling that it had all been worth it. It is a moment of great pride for you, your family and friends who have supported you in your educational pursuits, and for all of us at UNM. Whether you are an advanced degree candidate or an undergraduate member of the class of 2013, you are graduating from a distinctive university: distinguished in specific disciplines, but also incredibly broad; engaged with new ideas; culturally connected; home of the Lobos; and the flagship university for the state New Mexico.

I cannot help but join in the excitement of our newest graduates, who have demonstrated outstanding academic growth and achievement, and will be moving forward on their journeys to become contributing global citizens. Each of you has your own unique story and reason for pursing higher education through your various degrees. As you venture into the work world or perhaps higher levels of academia, you may ponder what lies ahead and reflect upon what has passed so quickly over the last few years.

Please know that all of us here at UNM will be here to help and support you as much as we can. Additionally, our UNM Alumni Association is here to help you stay in touch with all the friends you have made. We will be thinking of you — and always be here when you want to return for a visit or perhaps another degree. We are honored to count you among the more than 155,000-strong active UNM Lobo Alumni!

My only regret for this graduation week is that I cannot be there to join you. My youngest son, Brian, is also graduating from Kent State, where I was Provost. Janet and I will be attending his commencement, joining your families in the pride of this hard– and well-earned milestone that we have watched progress from freshman through senior year. However, I am available to you via email for any thoughts or questions you may have, and if I cannot answer them myself, I will put you in touch with someone who can. This means your alumni support network begins right now, with me, at unmpres@unm.edu. I would also encourage all of you share your experiences and insights with future Lobos, reaching out to the young people you may know who are considering UNM. There is no better source of inspiration than you who have benefited from and share a passion for UNM.

My special thanks to our outstanding faculty and dedicated staff, who have challenged our students to be courageous, dedicated and innovative, and to leave their mark on the world. For those students who will be returning, and to those who will join me in working here throughout the summer, thank you for your tireless efforts during the semester and I look forward to seeing you over the next few months or upon your return in the fall.

Congratulations once again to the class of 2013, have a great week, a wonderful summer and, as always, Go Lobos!

Bob

@unm Give yourself time to prepare before and time to recharge after. Take some time off work if possible.

— Rebecca S. Oswin (@Beckleberry13) April 24, 2013

@unm start studying all day during the week, do yoga, and have terrible amounts of fun on the weekend. Oh, and coffee and exercise! ¡WOOF!

— Mark Kelly (@TMKJ1985) April 25, 2013

@unmExercise!Walking outdoors for 30 minutes does wonders to relieve tension.

— Lobo Fan Videos (@LoboFever) April 24, 2013

Hack College and Zen College Life also have some great tips on how to get through Finals Week without too much strain and stress. Some of the recurring themes from both lists, as well as UNM students, include getting enough rest and exercise, and not letting finals week get to you too much. The day after finals is just another day, more specifically it’s the first day of summer vacation!  Good luck this finals week, Lobos! And have a great summer.

UNM North Golf Course

Plans to rehabilitate the trail area around the UNM North Golf Course are beginning to move. In May, the UNM Board of Regents will be asked to consider a contract for an architectural team to design the irrigation system improvements and the landscape alternations.

In the meantime UNM is preparing the area. Lisa Marbury strategic planner for UNM Institutional Support Services says that dead trees around the course have been removed and some tree trimming has already been completed.

Last year, UNM Regents approved an agreement with Bernalillo County that gave the UNM $1.5 million from the County’s Open Space fund in exchange for a conservation easement on the 80-acre North Course property. UNM’s license agreement with Bernalillo County allows the trail around the golf course to be used as county open space in return for a $1.5 million payment from the county.  The money will be used for design and improvements to the golf course irrigation system which was built in the 1940’s. Additional trees will be planted and combined with other landscaping.

“The North Golf Course is a valuable urban Open Space for not just the University community but for all of Bernalillo County,” District 3 Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins said. “It’s exciting to see the planning and preparation work underway and I’m looking forward to the many improvements scheduled for the coming year.”

There are also plans to improve portions of the trail system around the perimeter of the golf course for walkers and runners. Some areas of the trail are informal and need to be more clearly marked, Project Manager Maria Dion says.

The new trail design will comply with National Collegiate Athletic Association requirements for cross country conference and championship events. UNM and county leaders will hold an open house so members of the community can give feedback on the design of the trail improvements in June, but no date has been set.

Sara Koplik, president of the North Campus Neighborhood Association says, “I am delighted that the university, the county and the neighborhood are working together to bring the first significant improvements to the golf course in many decades.  Preserving and protecting this cherished green space enhances our community. Working together, we achieve so much more.”

Plans will be drawn and completed over the summer and the course will be closed in late fall so the actual improvements can be done. The course and trail system is expected to reopen in Feb. 2014.

Media contact: Karen Wentworth (505) 277‑5627; email: kwent2@unm.edu

Planning for the Future of UNM West
We have an incredible opportunity for the delivery of unique and specialized degrees at our campus at UNM West, and expanding options for degree completion to our students. This unique extension of the UNM main campus intersects with the community of Rio Rancho, with which we have enjoyed a mutually supportive and productive partnership for the past several years. As we look toward a 10-year horizon for the campus, we developed some concepts for the future development of UNM West based on emerging educational and workforce trends that will be presented to the campus’ stakeholders. We are now in the process of soliciting community input from the citizens of Rio Rancho to lay plans for the future of the UNM West campus. There will be a community meeting at the UNM West campus this evening from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Finalists Selected for Vice Provost of Extended Learning
Delivering new models of education will require the development and exploration of new modes of teaching and technologies. Earlier this year, UNM Provost Chaouki Abdallah announced the merger of Extended University and Continuing Education into a new division of Extended Learning. This division will take UNM’s educational resources to the citizens of New Mexico and around the world, offering both credit and non-credit classes to every type of learner. As the name implies, it is geared to extend the reach of UNM’s classes and programs beyond our physical campus, delivering high-quality educational opportunities to strengthen and expand UNM’s outreach to existing and new audiences and promote lifelong learning that will enhance our students’ lives – both professionally and personally.

The selection of the best individual to lead the Division of Extended Learning is critical to our success. This week the following candidates will be visiting the UNM campus for open forums:

J. Kim McNutt: April 29, 3 — 4 p.m., SUB, Santa Ana A & B
Monica Orozco: May 1, 3:30 — 4:30 p.m., SUB, Lobo A & B
Curtis Madison: May 2, 4 — 5 p.m., SUB, Lobo A & B
William Getter: May 7, 2:45 — 3:45 p.m., SUB, Lobo A & B

I hope you are all enjoying the exceptional weather and are able to take some time to appreciate our beautiful campus. Have a great week and Go Lobos!

Bob

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill

Good morning.

For countless members of the UNM community, the spirit of giving is evident through single acts of compassion and bravery to community service projects and fulfilling career choices that advance both personal well-being and that of our society. This week, I am proud to recognize how UNM’s commitment to producing active, engaged, and effective citizens is reflected across the university. Each of us can make a difference — at home, through our work, and in our communities — to help build a better future for our students, our communities, and our nation. Thank you for all that each of you does to make our world a better place.

The Lobo Spirit Shines Bright in Boston
Over the past several days, we have all been processing the senseless tragedy of the Boston Marathon bombings. The aftermath showed a number of good Samaritans among the first responders. Danielle Deines, a first-year resident physician at the UNM School of Medicine, was one of those heroes. She immediately began to assist in triaging those injured at the Boston Marathon, offering her aid even though she herself had been treated in the medical tent prior to the explosions. Danielle is an example of the countless individuals who responded courageously and selflessly to do whatever they could to preserve lives, and she is a true reflection of the Lobo spirit we value here at UNM.

UNM Leads Peace Corps Volunteer-Producing Hispanic Serving Institutions
This year the University of New Mexico leads the list of Peace Corps volunteer-producing Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), with 24 undergraduate alumni currently serving as Peace Corps volunteers and 439 alumni having served since 1961. These graduates are well prepared for the challenge of international service. They become leaders in their host communities and carry the spirit of service and leadership back with them when they return home, upholding the Peace Corps’ mission to promote world peace and friendship and a better understanding between Americans and people of other countries.

UNM Mentorship Opportunity
Big Brothers Big Sisters is launching a new mentoring program that I feel will be a great fit for faculty and exempt staff at UNM. The program is called mentor2.0 and works to place mentors with ninth grade students at South Valley Academy located on Coors and Black SW. The program goal is to graduate these young people from high school and have them prepared for college. Our goal is to match every incoming freshman at this school with a UNM mentor. I realize we all work very hard to create balance in our time for work, family and service. While you may have heard about Big Brothers Big Sisters traditional programs, mentor2.0 is a bit different – you mentor via email. This program is a fun and easy way to get involved in the community and make a difference, and could be your opportunity to make a positive impact on a young person’s life. Please join me in making mentor2.0 a success. If you are interested in participating in the program and are faculty or an exempt staff member, please request and complete the UNM Interest Form and return it to LaTrenia McDaniel, the UNM liaison for mentor2.0, at 505–277-2695 or lmcdaniel@unm.edu. Let’s see if we can make South Valley Academy a UNM mentored school!

Celebrating Success in Sustainability
UNM is committed to being a sustainability leader, and has adopted sustainability as core value of the university. Several events and recognitions have recently coincided that reflect this commitment in a very real way. For the third year in a row UNM has been included in the Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges and is the only higher education institution in New Mexico to be named a “Green College.” The Green College Guide is published in partnership with the U. S. Green Building Council and focuses solely on colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment and sustainability. Also, last Monday, the photovoltaic (PV) installation on the Science and Math Learning Center was dedicated increasing the amount of renewable energy electricity produced on campus to 273 kW; other PV installations on campus include Mechanical Engineering, College of Education, Yale Parking Structure, and Electrical and Computer Engineering.

In celebration of Earth Day, the 5th Annual Sustainability Expo & Lobo Growers Market will be held on Tuesday April 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Cornell Mall. As the UNM campus is recognized as a nationally recognized arboretum, and in honor of Arbor Day, several students groups have organized a series of tree plantings and informational workshops around campus.

To further emphasize our commitment to sustainability, I am very pleased to announce that Mary Clark has been named the first Sustainability Manager at UNM. Mary has been a UNM employee since 1995 and is currently a graduate student in the Masters of Public Administration program. I am confident that she will continue to work to position as a national model and leader in institutional sustainability through implementation, education, outreach, research, and partnership. Please join me in congratulating Mary on her accomplishment.

UNM Students Leaders in Our Nation and State
The Udall Foundation announced that Byron “Craig” Williams, a current law student at the University of New Mexico, is one of 12 students from 12 tribes and 11 universities that have been selected as 2013 Native American Congressional Interns. Interns were selected the basis of academic achievement and a demonstrated commitment to careers in tribal public policy. Craig is a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and is currently pursuing a J.D. with a certificate in federal Indian law from the UNM School of Law. This highly regarded internship program is intended to provide American Indians and Alaska Natives with an insider’s view of the federal government processes firsthand. Craig will be interning with the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Tribal Justice.

The New Mexico Space Grant Consortium (NMSGC) recently awarded 26 Fellowships and Scholarships to students across New Mexico totaling $210,000, based on application information, faculty recommendation, GPA, research project, and its alignment to NASA. Eleven of the recipients are UNM students. Congratulations to Ph.D. students Heather Buelow, Aleksandra Faust, Bridget McEwen and Allison Santos, and graduate students Sebastian Gomez and Suzanne Gordon, who were awarded $10,000 each for their research; and to Ph.D. students Robert Mesler, seniors Daniel Herrera, Nicole Saavedra and Joshua Williams, and junior Jon Vigil, who were awarded $5,000 each for their research.

Employee Benefits Update
UNM is presently faced with a large unfunded post-retirement benefit liability that, if not corrected, will grow each year. This increasing liability will jeopardize UNM’s financial stability and could lead to the complete elimination of post-retirement benefits if not immediately addressed. The faculty, staff, and retiree members of the Retiree Health Care Task Force were charged with the task of preparing recommendations to reduce UNM’s unfunded liability for post-retirement benefits. Please be aware that there are changes to our retiree healthcare, which will require a decision on your part even if you do not know when you will retire from UNM. Before you make this decision, I strongly urge you to attend one of the http://hr.unm.edu/docs/retiree/veba-information-sessions.pdf for staff, faculty and retirees. UNM Human Resources has provided detailed information regarding post-retirement benefit changes for current faculty and staff employees and retirees.

Have a great week and Go Lobos!

Bob

After a line by line comparison of line-item vetoes with their respective enrolled and engrossed bills, here is a brief synopsis of how UNM fared:

Lottery Scholarship
One of the main provisions of SB 113 was one-time funding of nearly $10 million to help keep the Lottery Scholarship fund solvent through the coming year.  In her message, Governor Martinez had this to say about that fund:

“We cannot afford to continue to pour money into a fund that is unsustainable without adopting meaningful reform. Regardless, our students should not suffer as a result of the Legislature’s inability to take appropriate action. So, although I am signing this bill, I encourage lawmakers to work together to restructure the lottery program so we can maintain solvency and so the program is sustainable without a continued infusion of other state funds.”

Capital Outlay
The Governor vetoed $4.4 million in projects from the $218.1 million in severance tax bonds included in SB 60.  Those vetoes took $125,000  out of a total of $10.1 million in UNM projects.

State Budget
Funding to provide a one percent pay increase for state and higher education employees survived in the General Appropriations Act of 2013 signed by the Governor.  However, $20 million for the Higher Education Endowment Fund did not.  Explaining her line item veto of this funding, the Governor said:

“Additionally, there is relatively little accountability for how money in the Higher Education Endowment Fund is spent. Funneling such a large portion of state dollars toward a fund like this (which has been used in the past for salary support for professors) also skirts our efforts to reform the higher education funding formula – designed to ensure that higher education institutions are increasingly funded based on their ability to educate and graduate students. ”

Our analysts continue to do a line by line review of the Governor’s executive message, but there appears to be no additional major impact to UNM.

Pension Solvency
And in case you’re wondering, the Governor the pension solvency plan for the Public Employee Retiree Association.  She signed the ERB solvency plan last week.

Look to the Bill Tracker on the Government Relations website for a review of final action on all UNM bills of interest.

Susan McKinsey, Office of Government and Community Relations

Earth Hour is a national initiative that was started by the World Wildlife Fund. PNM is asking students who observe “Earth Hour” to visit their facebook page and leave messages about how they are spending the hour without power.

The conference agreement on SB113 pumps $10 million of non-recurring tobacco settlement reserves into the lottery scholarship fund with an equal amount going to early childhood programs and another $40 million for the programs typically funded by the tobacco settlement. Both houses approved the agreement with 35 minutes to spare. No sweat.

The big tax package passed the House with literally seconds to spare. Much much more exciting.

Review
The $5.9 billion state budget awaits action by the Governor and a fate far from settled. Among its many features is a 3.5 percent increase in state funding for UNM, as well as funding for a one percent pay increase and $20 million to bolster the state’s faculty endowment fund.

There is $10.1 million in capital outlay projects  for UNM contained in the severance tax bond package … money for Castetter, Farris Engineering, campus lighting, buses and more.   This also sits on Governor’s desk.

So does the ERB solvency plan, which was the product of  a year of hard work by the stakeholders followed by a few days of political reality. The bill with its shared sacrifice and  100.7 percent solvency promise is hoped to meet executive approval.

With this morning’s action and executive approval, there should be enough money in the lottery scholarship fund for the coming year. But a permanent fix still has to be negotiated.   The proposed solution by UNM students never caught traction in House Education. None of these lottery bills made it through.

The state graduate tax credit made it to Senate Finance relatively early in the session never to be seen again, which was a  disappointment for our graduate students. Their  bill got caught up in the uncertainty of revenue availability and sequestration.

These are just some of the highlights as much more of note to UNM occurred during the session. As always you can catch up on all the action via the Bill Tracker on the Government Relations website. It has been religiously maintained and will be through the deadline for executive action on April 5.

A final shout out to the entire government relations team who lived and breathed all things Roundhouse these last several months. It’s time for a well-deserved recharge before the process begins yet again.

Susan McKinsey, Office of Government and Community Relations