Silver City, NM – During their meeting on Dec. 7 on the Western New Mexico University campus in Silver City, the WNMU Board of Regents unanimously approved the Five-Year Plan for New Degree Programs, Sabbatical Leave Recommendation 2018-19, Capital Transmittal for Ritch Hall and Regents Row, and Mid-Year Budget Adjustment Request Fiscal Year 18 and Approval of Asset Disposal.

Chair Jerry A. Walz, Vice Chair Janice Baca-Argabright, Student Regent and Secretary/Treasurer Arlean Murillo and regents Drs. Carl Foster and Dan Salzwedel were all in attendance.

The board voted to allow Drs. Alexandra Neves and Andrew Hernandez to take sabbatical leave during the fall 2018 and spring 2019 semesters, respectively. "These are two outstanding faculty members who are doing exceedingly good work," Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost Dr. Jack Crocker said.

Commenting on WNMU's Five-Year Plan for New Degree Programs, Crocker said the proposed minor in Geographic Information Systems and associate degree in rural health and community care will enhance students' skillsets and résumés.

The Ritch Hall renovation will add features that enable the building to be used for housing visitors and scholars during conferences and retreats. A heating and cooling system will be installed at long-vacant Regents Row, the first two floors of which will be rented to Aldo Leopold Charter School.

The board also heard from Student Government President Timothy Stillman, Staff Senate President Dean Foster, Faculty Senate President Dr. Andrew Hernandez and WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard.

"When we hear these speakers, it shows what a terrific university we have," Walz said.

Stillman reported that the student government will appeal to New Mexico legislators for funds to make virtualized applications available remotely. "Our online student base is increasing. This will make it possible for students to access software and technologies online without having to physically come to campus," he said.

Dean Foster said his group is working on a compensation plan and staff salaries study through the College and University Professional Association. They are also putting together a quick reference guide to help staff answer common student questions, developing a new communications plan and piloting a succession plan program.

Hernandez told the board that the faculty is working on a proposed policy of hiring spouses and domestic partners and is interested in the possibility of raises.

In his report, WNMU President Dr. Joseph Shepard said that due to the university's above average performance, it is in a position to get a greater share of the state monies available. He noted that funds from the upcoming state general obligation bond will go toward Harlan Hall renovation and infrastructure improvements. The president said the student loan default rate for WNMU graduates has gone down by about 10 percent. He also attributed WNMU's increase in transfer students to the work of faculty members in contact with prospective students.

Sharing the floor with President Shepard, Crocker commented on WNMU's areas of distinction, particularly the Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences designation. The required freshman Applied Liberal Arts and Sciences course, an approach on big history, is content-centered with a focus on critical thinking and discussion in small groups. "We just finished our first semester of a pilot program. It has been extremely successful," he said.

The next WNMU Board of Regents meeting will be in Santa Fe on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018.