UNM Provost Brian Foster said the University is working to become an equal partner with other state entities to further New Mexico's push for economic development.
The University has developed a plan that allows it to use its strongest attributes to benefit the state, Foster said.
"This is not something we've just come to," he said. "We're going to increase our engagement with state government, with municipal government. But I wouldn't call it outreach. It's not a one-way flow. We're engaging as an equal partner."
At the center of UNM's economic development agenda, which has three main components, is preserving New Mexican culture, communities, customs and environment, Foster said.
"Quality of life is the bottom line," he said.
The components are:
l"UNM as an enterprise." The University's $1.4 billion budget makes it the fourth largest "business entity" in the state. "We're just a huge economic force," Foster said. The recently formed Science and Technology Corp., "is poised to take inventions from UNM and make them the basis to employ New Mexicans," he said. The corporation's aim is to develop research programs that create intellectual property to bring revenue to UNM.
l"Support for New Mexico businesses." This includes training a high-end work force, such as doctors, lawyers and professional businesspeople. UNM also brings "thousands of people to the state every year for conferences and symposiums," Foster said. "We really support the tourism industry." Training New Mexico's next generation of entrepreneurs, he added, is another goal.
l"Support for economic development activities." This component includes attracting new business to New Mexico, policy development and research and economic research. "But again, no one's going to come and no one's going to stay if we don't stress quality of life," Foster said.
Perhaps more than any other entity, UNM touches all aspects of the state's economy, Foster said.
The University, he added, will work closely with the New Mexico Economic Development Corp., headed by former UNM Regent President Larry Willard, to advance the state's financial interests.
Some University administrators say economic development isn't a bad thing, but caution UNM to keep an open line of communication with all its constituents, thereby holding those making important decisions accountable.
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"The concept of a university is much larger than job training," said Alan Morgan, president of UNM Staff Council. "How will the quality of life of those working at the University be improved?"
Foster said UNM is working through a variety of complications as it moves ahead with its economic development agenda. Conflict of interest situations and the changing role of faculty in terms of defining intellectual property are among the challenges, he said.
"This is a plane being built in the air," Foster said.
Still, he said, participating in a growing economy does not compromise the University's academic integrity.
"Education isn't just about pouring information into people," Foster said. "It's about engagement and passion. It should be used for important things."
