Sylvia Baca

The meeting addressed several administrative and strategic matters. Key discussions included a detailed update from the Vice President for Student Affairs on the Housing Task Force's multi-pronged approach to addressing the housing shortage, involving new builds, demolition funding requests, and modular solutions. The Vice President for Advancement and University Relations reported on Foundation activities, highlighting creative financing strategies to support housing and athletics, and provided an update on the comprehensive capital campaign, which exceeded its silent phase goal. The Faculty Senate reported on academic program revisions and governance alignment with the 2035 Strategic Plan. The Staff Senate focused on rebuilding membership and officer roles. The Board reviewed and approved new committee charters, including the consolidation of academic and student affairs oversight. Four resolutions were considered, including assigning responsibilities for golf course property development to the Development Corporation and authorizing the liquidation of an endowment fund for management by the NMHU Foundation. The Board also established a comprehensive policy governance framework, distinguishing between Board, institutional, and operational policies. The President reported that the university met accreditation standards following the HLC focused visit, despite one area of concern regarding general education learning outcomes. The 2035 Strategic Plan, featuring five core goals focused on education, student success, engagement, capacity, and organizational success, was adopted. The Board approved the proposal for a new Doctor of Education (EdD) program, focusing on areas like Science of Reading and Literacy and Early Childhood Multicultural Education, and conferred emeritus status on two faculty members. In finance, the Board reviewed unaudited financial statements and the Corrective Action Plan Matrix, and approved a lease agreement with CNM to relocate the Albuquerque Center, projected to reduce annual costs significantly. Finally, the 2026 Board of Regents meeting dates were approved.

Key discussions included the introduction of the new General Counsel, Mr. Doajo Hicks, who will be responsible for re-establishing the policy council and formalizing campus procedures. The Board also addressed the establishment of tuition for asynchronous online doctoral programs, specifically the Doctor of Nurse Practitioner (DNP) program. A proposed rate of $875 per credit hour was set, noting its affordability compared to other university programs. Additionally, the Board revisited and confirmed dates for the 2025 Regents workshop, selecting the end of October.

The Board of Regents held a special virtual meeting to address several financial and operational matters. Key discussions included the approval, contingent upon a formal resolution, for the full liquidation of University Investment Accounts and the transfer of funds to the NMHU Foundation, ensuring ownership remains with the University. The Board also discussed updates to the NMSIC Joint Powers Agreement, focusing on the use of the NM Laws of 1994 fund for deficit correction. Additionally, updates were provided regarding the Highlands Land Development Committee, specifically finalizing a developer contract for golf-course land. The reorganization of the Highlands Land Development Board, naming Regent Tripp as Chair and Chairman Sanchez as Vice Chair, was noted.

The Board of Regents meeting included several key actions and extensive reports. Key actions involved the approval of the current meeting agenda and the tabling of comprehensive Board bylaws, policies, and procedures pending further review by the Governance Committee. The Board approved the 2035 Strategic Plan, including updated mission and vision statements, and approved the proposal for a new Doctor of Education (EdD) program with specialized curricular focus areas. In resolutions, the Board assigned development and management responsibilities for the golf course property to the Development Corporation, authorized the liquidation of an endowment fund and transfer to the NMHU Foundation, established a comprehensive policy governance framework, and adopted standardized resolution numbering across all approved resolutions. Financial matters included the approval of the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) Matrix and unaudited financial statements, and approval of a lease agreement with CNM to relocate the Albuquerque Center, directing administration to negotiate a longer termination-without-fault period. Reports included an update on addressing the University's housing shortage via a multi-pronged approach by the Housing Task Force, a detailed report on Foundation activities including creative financing strategies, and confirmation that the recent Higher Learning Commission focused visit resulted in meeting accreditation standards, with only one area noted as 'meets with some concern'. Emeritus status was conferred upon two faculty members.

The New Mexico Highlands University's strategic plan, reported in its FY20 annual report, outlines goals for academic excellence, community partnership, technological advancement, and enhanced communication and efficiency. Key initiatives include ensuring HED/HLC compliance, increasing grant acquisition and management, implementing modern data management systems like the Banner Grants Module, and updating institutional policies, all aimed at transforming lives and communities.