Staff Report
The UNM Board of Regents said Monday it is disappointed by the amount of land being offered for a satellite campus in Rio Rancho.
In December, the regents asked the New Mexico State Land Office for 440 acres on two tracts of land in Rio Rancho. The first tract of land requested was 236 acres.
However, Patrick Lyons, a state land commissioner, told the Board of Regents he could only offer them 216 acres.
Jamie Koch, president of the Board of Regents, is concerned the 216 acres is not sufficient for the space needed to build UNM West, which would include classrooms, student housing and a health sciences facility.
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Koch said Lyons wants to leave 40 acres adjacent to UNM West open for development purposes. He said that would not allow enough space for all the facilities they plan to build at UNM West.
The regents wanted UNM West to have more open space and fewer high-rise buildings, Koch said.
"We have told him that we will take 216 acres, but we were disappointed," he said.
Koch also said the regents wanted the extra 40 acres to build their own businesses, which would generate revenue to help pay for the campus.
At a Finance and Facilities meeting Monday, the regents agreed to go ahead with the purchase of the 216 acres through a land exchange or cash payment.
Koch said the regents will meet later this semester with Lyons to discuss acquiring more land.
The Board of Regents will discuss the issue further at the regents meeting today at 1 p.m. in the SUB.
