Good morning.

Welcome to Homecoming Week at the University of New Mexico – a time for all of us to revel in an extra dose of school spirit.  The pirate-inspired theme this year is “It’s A Lobo’s Life For Me!”  So I imagine you’ll be seeing a lot of treasure chests, eye patches and Johnny Depp wannabes this week.  In my office you’ll get to walk the plank, courtesy of an imaginative staff.  So come by.  Thanks to UNM Alumni, the Homecoming Committee and all of the units that have decorated for what promises to be a grand week.  For a list of the week’s activities visit: http://www.unmalumni.com/homecoming/.

The general election is just over a month away, though absentee voting begins next week.  When it comes to the issues, I believe this campus is aware and involved.  So over the next few weeks, I’ll be informing you about the bond issues and hospital mil levy – each of great importance to UNM.

General Obligation Bond D is the big one for higher education, with nearly $140 million at stake for building projects around the state.  For UNM, GO Bond D has $5 million for biology expansion, $6 million for the College of Education building, $4 million for the film and digital media building at Mesa del Sol and $2 million for the Student Success Center.  The bond also has money for projects at UNM Taos and UNM Gallup.  I encourage everyone in the UNM community to study up on these issues and to vote.

Over the weekend, a number of us joined the UNM Regents in Las Cruces for the annual joint regents’ meeting with NMSU.   There was much discussion about how the state’s economy is faring and what the financial forecast will be heading into the legislative session.  We heard that for the most part, New Mexico’s finances are holding steady, but there will not be any significant new money.  Some legislators have been calling for a round of belt-tightening.  So we have to be conscious of that as we head into the legislative and budget seasons.

The Regents also heard about current and future collaborations being implemented by New Mexico’s two largest research universities, especially in areas of research and opportunities for students.  It is apparent that more will be accomplished by both institutions if we work together.

We held a very enlightening workshop last week to talk about UNM’s role in supporting economic development.  Along with more than 30 UNM leaders from our schools and colleges, branches and administration, I had the opportunity to learn about some of the great work that’s going on across our campuses.
We talked about everything from our role in ensuring a strong workforce, to research and creative endeavors that improve the quality of life.  The workshop was only the first step toward determining the best way to organize ourselves to carry forth this important aspect of our service mission, so please stay tuned.

Have a great Homecoming Week!

David J. Schmidly

Good morning.

With last week’s turmoil in the financial markets, it is completely understandable that many of you are concerned about the health of your retirement funds and the financial health of the University.  I’ve heard from several of you, and so I’ve asked UNM’s finance and human resources experts to compile information that I hope will answer some of your questions and allow you to make informed decisions.

Most of you are enrolled in the state’s Educational Retirement fund.  It is important to remember that this fund is a guaranteed defined benefit. As a participant in the Educational Retirement fund, your retirement is secure, even when the fund itself suffers a financial downturn. Nonetheless, the Educational Retirement Board is monitoring the current situation closely and will provide you with up to date information.  You can access its website from the HR homepage at http://hr.unm.edu.

If you are enrolled in the Alternative Retirement Plan or have investments in supplemental tax deferred annuities, you can also get more information on the Human Resources website. HR has compiled information from the different vendors to help you make decisions that are best for you and your family.

As for the financial health of the University, we can report to you that we are confident in our current investment strategies during these challenging times.  UNM’s finance experts have been anticipating a downturn and so have been repositioning the University’s portfolios since the first of the year.  They have implemented a more conservative position designed to preserve capital, allow liquidity so we can access funds as needed, and realize prudent returns.  I can assure you that we will do whatever is necessary to protect the University’s balance sheet position, and in so doing preserve the public funds, which represent the public’s trust.

I’m convening about 30 leaders from across the university on Tuesday and Wednesday to talk about UNM’s role in supporting and fostering economic development in our state and region.  We’ll start by educating each other on what we are already doing, and then we will explore ways to enhance our contributions as we carry out this important aspect of our mission.

We kick off the Rio Grande Rivalry this week with the UNM/NMSU football game in Las Cruces.  For the second year, the Army ROTC units from both institutions are taking part by running the game ball all the way from Albuquerque to Las Cruces, with an official hand-off at the Veteran’s Memorial in Truth or Consequences. Our Lobo Battalion cadets are responsible for covering 113 long, hot, dry miles, but I know they’re up to the task.  We here on campus wish you a safe run.

Have a good week.

David J. Schmidly

Good morning.

There was a grand dedication yesterday of UNM’s new Centennial Engineering Center, which is a magnificent facility on the west side of campus.  Centennial is the new home of the Civil Engineering Department, the Center for Biomedical Engineering, Engineering Student Services, the Dean’s Office, and labs for the Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Department.  It was designed and built with the focus on student success.

Centennial is a product of vision, tenacity and hard work. In part, it also came about thanks to New Mexico voters who approved a portion of its funding in General Obligation bond elections.  In the upcoming November 4 general election, G.O. bonds are back on the ballot.  UNM has more than $50 million in projects that depend on voter approval for Bonds B, C and D.  In the coming weeks leading up to the election, I’ll be talking to you about those projects, so you can make an educated choice when you vote.

I look forward to meeting with the faculty tomorrow - introducing the new members of the executive team and responding to the resolutions faculty presented to us last April. We’ve initiated positive dialogue with the faculty and we look forward to that dialogue continuing tomorrow.

There is much that our faculty, staff and students have worked hard to achieve and can celebrate: our record freshman class, the 275% jump in National Merit Scholars and the 140% increase in National Hispanic Scholars.  We should celebrate an exciting future in Rio Rancho and the partnerships with our educational colleagues that will transform the educational model for New Mexico.

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to tape some comments for faculty engaged in Title V workshops.  I strongly believe UNM’s commitment to diversity makes for a dynamic learning and living environment, and it presents for us an opportunity to be a national model for understanding, appreciating and respecting differences.  Doing so will make us stronger as teachers, mentors, life-long learners, and as an institution.

It has always been my priority to value the parents and families of our students and welcome them to campus as often as possible.  So I’m pleased to see plans for UNM’s first annual Family Weekend coming together.  It will be held November 1 – 2, which may seem far in the future, but the work is happening now.  Organizers need your help to make this event for families a success.  If you’re a manager, please announce this call for volunteers at your next staff meeting.  If you want to volunteer, contact Lisa Delgado in the Dean of Students office at 277-7870 or ldelgado@unm.edu.  And thanks for helping out.

Have a good week.

David J. Schmidly

Good morning.

We have been making a number of changes at the University in the last year to get us better focused on the success of our students.  Ensuring that all of our students have access to the resources they need to excel academically is critical to our mission.  I recently toured the future site of our Student Success Center with the new Vice President for Enrollment Management, Carmen Alvarez Brown.  We hope to have it up and running by the beginning of the spring semester, as soon as the current tenants move to their permanent location.

The center will serve as a “one-stop” shop for all of our students and will be a great tool for them to utilize throughout their years at UNM.  It will one day house academic advisement for student athletes as well as the UNM Veterans’ Center, which will help make the transition to civilian life easier for our men and women in service. The final plans are still coming together, so be on the lookout for more information in the coming months.  I think this is a big step toward ensuring student success and I am thrilled about the opportunities it will bring to the campus.

I’m delighted that one of the most highly anticipated Fast-Track Energy and Transportation initiatives is finally a reality.  Free ABQRide bus passes are now available for current UNM faculty and staff.  To receive the special sticker for your Lobo ID, you should present that ID and a current printout of your expanded record from the UNM directory at any of the following locations:  Parking Services on the NW corner of University and Central, UNM Bookstore, UNM Medical Bookstore, SUB Welcome Desk or Lobo Card Store, and Housing Services Administration Office upstairs at La Posada.

Thanks to Parking and Transportation Services for getting this worked out with the City of Albuquerque Transit Department.  I know it took a few weeks to iron out the details, but you got it done, and we’re all thankful for your work.

We’re glad to hear a popular lecture series is back and better than ever.  UNM Press has revived the Voices of the Southwest Series, with five lectures that began last Wednesday. Presented each Wednesday through October 1, all of the lectures begin at 7 p.m. at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.  Check out the full program and schedule on the UNM Press website at http://unmpress.com.

And this Friday evening, you have the opportunity to see one of the greatest tennis players of all time at a benefit for UNM Children’s Hospital.  Pete Sampras, who won a record 14 Grand Slam titles during his career, will play fellow American Sam Querrey in an exhibition match at the Pit.  The action begins at 7 p.m. with a fast-paced shootout featuring local tennis stars.  If you’re interested, tickets are available at www.unmtickets.com.

Have a good week.

David J. Schmidly

The three-day Labor Day weekend always marks the end of summer in my mind.  I hope each of you had an absolutely wonderful time and that we’re all now ready to face the inevitable and buckle down to work!

A Great Orientation
The first few days on a new campus can be an emotional and stressful time, and so I want to thank everybody who helped make the Freshman Family Day and Welcome Back Days such tremendous successes.  From the free pizza and green chile stew to the poetry slam and marching band’s stunning performances at the Freshman Convocation at Popejoy, all the volunteers and participants made it a week to remember.  On behalf of the entire UNM community, a hearty Thank You!

Honoring Our New Scholars
I was delighted last Thursday to host our incoming 15 National Merit Scholars and 24 National Hispanic Scholars at a Reception at University House.  We’re mighty proud that we’ve seen a 275 percent jump in the number of National Merit Scholars this year, and a 140 percent increase in the number of National Hispanic Scholars.

Since these gifted students can declare their majors even as freshmen, we invited the Department Chairs in their declared majors, as well as their Deans, to join us. It gave the Scholars a chance to meet and form relationships with the academics that will be having a profound influence on their educational careers, and I want to thank everyone who attended.

OOPS!
In last week’s message, I asked folks to mark their calendars for the upcoming Faculty Town Hall Meeting, which will be on Tuesday, September 16 at 4 p.m. at Woodward Hall. I mentioned that the meeting would give me a chance to introduce our new Provost and Vice Presidents as well as the new President of the UNM Foundation.  But I neglected to mention another critical member of our Executive Team - our new Chief Information Officer, Gil Gonzales.  It is Gil’s responsibility to keep our massive and complex computer systems running.   You’ll enjoy meeting him on September 16.

Response to Faculty Resolutions
At last spring’s faculty meeting, we were asked to provide information and data on two faculty resolutions.  The product of a lot of hard work by several dedicated people is now ready for your review.  Please go to: http://facgov.unm.edu/specialmtg/adminresp.html for our responses.

The Most Seamless Public Education in the Southwest
Last Friday, I joined CNM President Kathie Winograd and APS School Superintendent Winston Brooks – along with 25 future CNM/UNM students now attending kindergarten at the Sombra del Monte Elementary School - to announce a ground-breaking new educational partnership between APS, CNM and UNM.

Last year, we launched a bold new partnership with CNM to help students move seamlessly from New Mexico’s largest community college into the state’s flagship University.  Friday, we took the next logical step, extending the partnership to include Albuquerque Public Schools.

To me, it all comes down to breaking down artificial barriers so we can all work together to improve the lives of every child in this community.  Ultimately, this historic agreement will create the most seamless, easy-to- navigate system of public education in the Southwest, from kindergarten all the way through graduate school.

Helping Prevent Substance Abuse
College is a wonderful time for academic discovery and personal enrichment.  It can also be a stressful time, so it’s important that we each strike a balance between our social activities and our academic pursuits – and that we avoid situations where we put our health and safety at risk with alcohol or drugs.

Just a reminder:  UNM is a “dry” campus.  Violations of the “No-Alcohol, No-Drugs” policy are dealt with severely. So keep your eye on the ball - graduation is the ultimate goal of attending a university - and don’t risk that on alcohol or other drug abuse.

And if you or someone you know is facing a problem with alcohol or drugs, this University is here to help you. Just call the Student Health and Counseling Center at 277-4537 or visit the Campus Office of Substance Abuse website at: http://www.unm.edu/~cosap.  Remember, anybody can develop a problem with alcohol or drugs, but it takes a big person to tackle the problem head-on.  We’re always here to help.

See you around campus.  Talk to you next week.

David J. Schmidly