by Christopher Sanchez
Daily Lobo
The UNM Alumni Association no longer has to share Hodgin Hall.
Karen Abraham, director of alumni relations, said they have waited a long time for the decision.
"All along, for the last 22, 23 years, it has been intended that the building would be called the alumni center," Abraham said.
UNM's Board of Regents approved the alumni association to fully utilize Hodgin Hall on Tuesday during their last meeting.
Jamie Koch, president of the UNM Board of Regents, said the decision to designate Hodgin Hall as the alumni center was decided by a unanimous vote of the regents.
Koch said the alumni association has tried to have their own building for several years.
"It's about time to get it done," he said.
Hodgin Hall houses both the alumni association and Public Affairs offices. Abraham said it is important the alumni association have their own building.
"It will be understood that it is not intended to be an office building," she said. "But a centerpiece for the University and its history, and also for the alumni."
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Abraham said the alumni association has always shared Hodgin Hall with other divisions of the University. She said five years ago, the association had to share the building with UNM development offices.
"When someone moves in, it's hard to move them out, right?" she said, laughing.
Koch said most universities have designated halls for their alumni. He said the alumni are the key to University fund raising.
"The alumni gives money back to the University," Koch said. "It's one of the most important things for any university."
Hodgin Hall was UNM's first building. It opened to the public on Sept. 1, 1892. According to UNM's Alumni Association's Web site, there were 108 students in two departments. For eight years, Hodgin Hall housed all of the University programs.
Abraham said in the late 1970s the University was going to knock down Hodgin Hall, but UNM alumni came together on the day it was to be destroyed and asked the regents not to wipe it out.
"The wrecker was right there," she said. "Alumni association came together and gave money for renovation."
Abraham said Hodgin Hall opened again in 1982 after restoration and has since been used for the UNM's Alumni Association.
Because Hodgin Hall is the oldest building on campus, Abraham said it is important to have it designated as the alumni center.
"We want visitors and alumni alike to realize the history of UNM," she said.
Abraham said once the Public Affair offices are moved, the alumni association plans to invest money for a reading room with books written by UNM alumni and have virtual tours of the campus.
Michael Carroll, vice president of institutional advancement, said he didn't know when Public Affairs would be moving out of the building.
"Nobody is moving out next week," Carroll said. "We're making sure they have a home."
Abraham said UNM has more than 120,000 alumni spread across the country.
"Sometimes when students come to the University they think the four or five years is how long they'll be a part of UNM," Abraham said. "Quite frankly, it's the beginning for them."