I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
The president of the board of regents at the University of New Mexico will step aside, Gov. Bill Richardson announced in a press release Thursday.
Richardson is hoping that the current board president, Jamie Koch, will be replaced by former speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives, Raymond Sanchez.
The move takes place after a no-confidence vote against Koch and top administrators of UNM.
According to a news release from the governor’s office, Richardson said:
“I recently completed a series of discussions with UNM administrators, members of the Board of Regents and faculty representatives regarding recent conflicts at the university. As governor, I do not think it is appropriate to interfere with the governance and internal decisions at the university. However, I decided to intervene on a one-time basis, given my responsibility to appoint regents and make funding decisions for higher education.
“I will be recommending to the Board of Regents that they elect Regent Raymond Sanchez, the distinguished former Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the next President of the Board.
“Regent Jamie Koch has graciously agreed to step aside as President to avoid being a distraction. I will continue to support his nomination for another six-year term on the board. Jamie Koch has done an invaluable service to the university. I am eternally grateful for his outstanding leadership during the past six years, and I look forward to his continued involvement on the regents.
“I will also recommend that the Board of Regents consider more faculty input into regent committee assignments, particularly the committee on finance and facilities. Additionally, I will attempt to facilitate a request by the faculty to the State Auditor to audit issues related to university financial priorities.
“It is my view that future issues of governance should be decided by the university community. Accordingly, I will let these issues be handled by the interested parties.
“President David Schmidly, Vice President David Harris and the regents, including Jamie Koch, have my full support to continue with the mission of the university. It is important that the university community, including the faculty and students, work with the regents and the administration to restore trust and establish a productive working relationship.”
