Good morning.

Since my message to you just last week, the rapidly-tumbling price of oil and natural gas has caused even higher deficit projections for our state, and each of us is justifiably concerned – students worry about the impact on tuition and educational quality, while our faculty and staff are concerned about the impact on jobs,
benefits and compensation.

As I said last Friday in my WebCast message to the University community, which can be seen here (http://mtsmsite.unm.edu/mediasite/Catalog/?cid=d698f7e9-100b-4150-8f15-d25935a9b8ea ), we won’t be in any real position to assess how these events will affect us until the Legislature reconvenes, passes any measures, and the Governor signs the bill.  After that, with your input, the Regents and I will implement the law, with the objectives in mind of keeping our workforce intact and keeping tuition affordable while carrying out our core missions of education and research.

We’ve been fortunate in being able to move quickly and prudently to implement a four-part strategy to set aside significant funds to cushion the blow against whatever lies ahead, but we’d be fooling ourselves if we underestimated the seriousness of our predicament.  Not only do we face the prospect of a mid-year budget rescission, but of state appropriations that may be significantly reduced for several years to come.

I want to make sure that the entire UNM community understands the nature of the problem.  The funds at stake are those appropriated to us by the Legislature – “Instruction and General” funds (also known as “I-and-G” funds) as well as state appropriations for line-items such as Research and Public Service Projects.

What’s NOT at stake are those dollars we receive from the recently-approved General Obligation (“GO”) bonds, or dedicated funds such as contracts and grants.  Obviously, privately-donated monies are not affected, nor are those dollars we earn from the sale of tickets to athletic events, TV and radio rights, advertising and the like.  These other dollars are often restricted in how they are used, however.  This is why, for instance, we can’t legally apply bond funds set aside for renovation of “The Pit” for salaries: the law doesn’t allow us to do so.

Knowing the parameters of the situation will help each of us think strategically, not reactively, about what needs to be done.  We all need to work together to get through this, and we want your input.  I invite each of you to submit your ideas, comments and suggestions to me at unmpres@unm.edu, and coming soon, a “Comments” section will be added to my website where we post this message for you to join in the discussion.

On Friday I was honored to join Regent Don Chalmers, Provost Suzanne Ortega, Dean Richard Howell and other guests to break ground for the new College of Education building.  As an environmentalist, I’m especially pleased that the new structure will be built according to LEED standards, with considerable energy savings.  Even in these uncertain times, UNM is moving forward, and in a way that will set the standard for sustainability across the southwest.

While we are facing some serious budget constraints ahead, there is a lot of great news on our campus.  Three grants, totaling more than $17.5 million, were recently awarded to the New Mexico Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (NM EPSCoR) through the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation. NM EPSCoR is a program that gathers resources and expertise from academic institutions, our national labs, private industry, and state and federal sources to benefit education, the environment, and the New Mexico economy.

Also, Biology Professors Marcy Litvak ad Robert Sinsabaugh, in collaboration with Los Alamos National Labs and the United States Department of the Interior, received a three-year EPSCoR-State/National Laboratory Partnership Grant for $150,000 per year. The awards are significant because they tie in to the state’s science and technology plan, which is focused on our state’s needs.

In more good news, congratulations to the Anderson School of Management, whose state-of-the-art “video wall” and conference system in the School’s Financial Center took first prize in the category of Corporate Application and Excellence in Creativity at the Fourth Annual “DIGI” Awards in New York City.

Working with the Anderson School’s IT staff, the wall was designed and installed by Alpha Video’s Digital Display Group.  It gives a “trading floor” look and displays real-time stock pricing information for several stock issues that are monitored by Anderson students, as well as satellite business news and information
relating to Anderson.

Lastly, as we prepare to give thanks with our loved ones this Thursday, let’s try to remember those less fortunate with a gift to the United Way.  Please, take a moment to fill out a Pledge Card, which you can obtain by clicking http://unitedway.unm.edu/pledgeform.pdf or by asking your Department Coordinator.

I hope everybody has a safe and happy holiday this week.

David J. Schmidly

President Schmidly talks to the campus community regarding current economic issues.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Please use Internet Explorer to view the webcast if your preferred browser does not work. For more assistance please check this video help page or call 277-9009.

Good morning.

Anyone watching the stock market and the world economy has really seen a roller coaster running wild the past few weeks.  We’ve seen our counterparts at other institutions in other states have to take severe actions to keep their operations running.  New Mexico still remains better off than most of our neighboring states.  However, what we have to understand is that UNM is not immune to the economic downturn.  That is why we’ve instituted a multi-faceted savings strategy institution-wide.  In addition, all units at all levels have been asked to move all of their vacant salary lines into holding accounts.

Colleagues, this is serious stuff and we have to be prepared to respond quickly and responsibly.  However, we remain firm in our intent to preserve the core missions of the university and to protect our current workforce.  I know you have questions and concerns. We will address as many as we can in a town hall scheduled for Friday, December 12, at noon.  We’re waiting until then because the most current revenue projections from the state should come out a few days prior and we should know by then what actions the state will be asking us to take.  In the meantime, please continue to send your comments and suggestions to me at: unmpres@unm.edu.

Even as we focus on economic issues, several UNM initiatives continue to move forward.  The committee working to establish a smoke-free environment on campus heard last week from students, faculty, staff, and even retirees who engaged in a lively discussion of the issues surrounding a smoke free campus and how that might work.  It is very important for all aspects of this issue to be considered and for the committee to hear from more students.

So there are two open sessions on the smoke-free topic scheduled for this week:  Wednesday, November 19, 3:30 – 5 p.m. at Education Rm. 103 and Thursday, November 20, 3:30 – 5 p.m. in Dane Smith Hall Rm 120.

Everyone has an opinion on this issue. So please come to one or both of these sessions and encourage your students to do the same.

Last week we told you about the Veterans’ Day Mile of Coins that was sponsored by the Student Veterans of UNM.  I was pleased to hear that their event was a huge success and over $1,280 was raised in cash and spare change from the UNM community.  If you’ll remember, part of that money will assist the Veterans Integration Center, which works with homeless veterans in our area.

The spirit of giving has always been alive and well at UNM, even in tough economic times.  That’s why I keep encouraging you to give to United Way, because now, more than ever, more people than ever need our help.  There are those who will say this is not the time to ask people to give.  However, I think history will show we’ve stepped up in other difficult times. Did you know that the United Way started out as the Community Chest right in the middle of the Great Depression?  We as a community and we as a campus have always been generous.  It’s time to step up again.

Have a good week.

David J. Schmidly

Good morning.

Now that the election is finally over, I want to thank the UNM and New Mexico communities for supporting the general obligation bond and mil levy issues so important to UNM’s future.  Their approval secures an important piece of University finances, especially at a time when money for capital projects is disappearing.

As we wrestle with economic uncertainties and the effect these have on our university, I need to know what you’re thinking about when it comes to how the university is coping.  Please send your questions, comments and suggestions to me at unmpres@unm.edu.  We’ll provide what answers we can in future messages.

As tomorrow is Veteran’s Day, I want to take this opportunity to thank the men and women who have served this country in our armed forces, especially the approximately 500 veterans attending UNM.  In remembrance of their service, the Student Veteran organization on campus is asking us to contribute our spare change tomorrow so they can build a mile long chain of coins on Smith Plaza.  Part of the proceeds from this “Mile of Coins” will go the New Mexico Veterans’ Integration Center to assist homeless veterans in this community. Meanwhile, we continue with plans for the UNM Veterans’ Center, which will be located in the new Student Success Center.

Tomorrow is also the third annual “Research Quest Day” sponsored by University College.  At this event, which takes place in the SUB from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., freshmen display the research and creative projects they develop with faculty mentors in Freshmen Learning Communities and other classes.  Close to 200 freshmen are scheduled for presentations, posters and performances, which I’m told is nearly an 89% increase in participation over last year.  Please go by and see their work.  A schedule is posted at http://explore.unm.edu.

Later this week at the SUB, we will welcome student affairs professionals from all over the state for the 11th Annual New Mexico Student Affairs Symposium, which will feature experts and information on issues also of interest to students, parents and education administrators. Also on Thursday, November 13, I’ll be kicking off the UNM Master Plan Open House in SUB Ballroom B at 12:30 pm. This is a chance for your and your neighbors to get a look at the future of UNM’s continued growth.

Today’s (November 10) issue of The New Yorker features John Seabrook’s article “Suffering Souls,” which details the research of Kent Kiehl, UNM associate professor in psychology. Kiehl is one of the world’s leading investigators in psychopathy, specifically in prison populations.

There is growing excitement on campus about plans for next February’s 200th celebration of the birthdays of Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln, both born on February 12, 1809.  There will be several events around campus celebrating the lives and accomplishments of both men, including speeches by Darwin/Lincoln experts David Quammen, author of Monster of God and The Reluctant Mr. Darwin, and Dr. David Contosta, who was nominated for the Lincoln Prize for Rebel Giants: The Revolutionary Lives of Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin.  Plans are still being developed.  If you want to know more, contact Dr. Breda Bova in my office at bova@unm.edu.

Finally, this is an important week for your health.  Human Resources has organized the first annual Preventive Health Week, giving employees access to flu shots, free screenings and all manner of health information.  Of special interest will be the Maintain, Don’t Gain holiday weight maintenance program.  If you’re up to the challenge, there will be weigh-ins and registration this week.  Please visit http://hr.unm.edu (click on EHPP) for the details.

It’s a busy week.  Make it a good one.

David J. Schmidly

Good morning.

In less than 48 hours, the results of the 2008 election will be known.  If you have not already done so, I urge you to vote tomorrow and let your voice be heard.  I also want to commend each and every one of the UNM community – students, faculty and staff – who have taken the time to vote, volunteer and participate in what everyone seems to agree is one of America’s most significant elections.  Win or lose, you have played a role in history.

One of the greatest challenges facing our new President will be reducing our nation’s energy consumption.  Not only is it vital that we reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources, as a biologist, I recognize the impact carbon-based energy consumption is having on global warming.

Here at UNM, we must reduce energy consumption for an additional reason – a fiscal one.

We all know energy costs are on the rise.  PNM has filed for a $126 million rate increase which, depending on how the Public Regulation Commission allocates the request, could cost UNM an additional $800,000 each year in addition to the $2.1 million increase from the most recent rate case.

Even now, UNM (including HSC) spends $21.35 million each and every year just to provide utilities to our campus buildings - a sum that dwarfs the $16.33 million allocated to us by the Legislature for utility costs. In other words, we are already being forced to dip into core mission-related funding to the tune of $5.02 million a year just to keep the lights on – and even this sum doesn’t take into account the proposed rate hike now before the Public Regulation Commission.

In such an environment, reduction of energy costs is more than a priority.  It is essential to the fulfillment of our long-range mission.

When confronted with a similar situation at Oklahoma State University, we engaged Energy Education Inc. to equip buildings on OSU’s five campuses with energy monitors that would isolate the causes of energy waste and implement building-by-building, floor-by-floor, room-by-room strategies to reduce consumption.  Sometimes, an HVAC system was modified; on other occasions, the response was as simple as installing a motion-detector light switch in a hallway.

EEI’s strategies have helped OSU’s five campuses reduce $2.2 million in energy costs over the first seven months of 2008 – a 17.3% savings.  It’s impossible at this stage to project similar savings here at UNM, (we only retained EEI last December) but clearly, EEI’s approach has the potential to make serious reductions in out-of-control energy costs.  Our Physical Plant Department is now loading the data and adapting the software and soon will be awaiting the first measurements. If our experience at OSU is any barometer, I’m optimistic for significant savings.

Another of the core priorities that align the mission, vision and values of the University of New Mexico is support of healthy communities.  UNM’s indoor facilities have been smoke free for more than a decade. In 2007, the UNM Health Sciences Center took the lead and became completely smoke free, seeing benefits for students, faculty, staff; and patients alike. I now think it would be wise for the main campus in Albuquerque to take a look at doing the same.  To help us look at this issue, I have tasked a university committee with looking at the issue and reporting back to me their recommendations.  For information, please visit http://www.unm.edu/smokefree/.

Have a good week.

David J. Schmidly