Students want seat at the table

A group of students spent part of its spring break demanding that the Board of Regents cut administrative pay and put the UNM salary book online.

GPSA council chair Megan McRobert said at the March 16
meeting that administration doesn’t allow students to be part of budget-related decision making in a meaningful way. She said that decision-making groups should include students, and
meetings should be advertised to the public.

“Our intellectual capability, the fact that we’re doing innovative
and cutting-edge research means that students are in a prime situation to be a part of these processes,” she said. “I understand
that we’re in a financial situation that has been repeatedly
described as a crisis, and I would argue that the students we have available to us are a resource we have not yet tapped.”

The six students who spoke said their concerns represented those of undergraduate and graduate students, staff members, and part-time and adjunct faculty. They said the regents needed to avoid using state funds for anything but instructional, academic and staff purposes.

Regents should cut top-tier administrators’ salaries, they said, and the number of top administrative positions. The students said placing the financial burden on staff and students isn’t an effective way to balance the budget.

Students also said the University should have an online, searchable salary book with up-to-date information on pay and compensation for UNM employees and requested UNM spend reserve assets before making further cuts to instructional budgets.

Faculty Senate President Richard Wood said the University is in a financial position where it will have to make difficult
budget decisions. “The faculty’s position remains that the urgent priority there is protecting the core academic mission of this university,” he said. “Included in that, a commitment to the principle that all I&G money should support the academic mission, that other parts of the University should be funded
by other sources.”

Other regent items: The regents approved a $3 million renovation of the UNM baseball stadium. Budget Officer Vahid Staples presented
the funding request for the renovation to the regents. The baseball team practices at Lobo Field but plays most of its games at Isotopes Park. He said the renovation will allow players to practice and play games in the same arena, eliminating the $50,000 yearly rent paid to Isotopes Park.

“Lobo Field has been the home to the Lobo baseball team for over 35 years, and we believe an upgrade of the field is required,”
he said. “The ability to practice and compete in the same facility is critical to the success of the baseball team.” The renovation will cost $3 million, $1 million of which is funded by private donations and $2 million in state funds.

None of the money will come from I&G funds. Staples said private donors will fund future phases.