SANTA FE — New Mexico legislators were greeted Monday with a visit from several University departments and organizations for UNM Day.
Fearing harsh budget cuts, the University put on its first-ever presentation to exemplify the value of the work done and opportunities provided at UNM.
Interim Dean for the College of Fine Arts, Jim Linnell, said the presentation gave UNM the opportunity to show legislators and the public the value of supporting higher education.
“UNM Day is to showcase to the public here at the Capitol the things that only a flagship university can do — the programming that goes on, the scale of degrees that are offered and the kind of economic impact that UNM has on the state,” he said.
The Legislative Finance Committee is working to balance the state’s budget during this session. The UNM administration is anticipating a budget cut that could lead to tuition increases and salary reductions.
Though there was a full house in the Roundhouse Rotunda to see the presentations of several UNM departments and performances by the UNM jazz choir and the UNM flamenco dance program, Linnell said he wishes more legislators had participated.
“We would have liked more of the legislators to see it, but they are all busy and we knew that when we came here,” he said.
David G. Bear, Interim Chair for the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, said parts of the chemistry building are uninhabitable and efforts to secure funding for a remodel have failed.
“The chemistry department has become a bit demoralized and over the past 10 years we have lost half of our full-time tenure track faculty,” he said.
Whether for new development or necessary repairs, state funding is essential and the speakers at UNM day said they hope the legislative branch will work to protect funds for education.
Amanda Barnes, a pharmacy student who worked at UNM Day offering vaccines and blood pressure checks, said the presentation got the attention of legislators.
“They were there and they were supporting us in full force,” she said.
Barnes said she wants to make sure the people of New Mexico get the care they deserve, and education is a big part of that.
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Richard Howell, Dean of the College of Education, said during his presentation at the Rotunda that it is more important now than ever that state leaders do all they can to fund UNM. He said modern methods are necessary to teach and retain today’s students.
“The students of today’s school are different than when we were in school,” Howell said. “They are different kids with different needs, and we need to speak to those needs directly with more dynamic and engaging environments.”
