Good morning.

Special Session Results

During the special session last week, the NM Legislature approved cuts of 4% for higher education I&G for the current fiscal year, coupled with a 6.5% decrease in funding for special projects. To somewhat offset the pain, lawmakers returned the equivalent of 2% of I&G cuts in one-time stimulus funding. The Governor has ten days to consider this solvency plan, but now is the time for us to finalize scenarios for consideration by the Regents. Provost Ortega and the deans have been planning for the inevitable for several weeks. Our goal is to preserve as much as possible services that impact students.

Stimulus Funds for Energy Projects

On a positive note, UNM’s sustainability efforts will soon get a boost. Earlier this month, Governor Richardson announced that more than $24 million in stimulus funds will go to schools, colleges, tribes and agencies to improve energy efficiency. UNM will be getting $358,000 of that amount for energy efficient lighting and for solar system upgrades.

United Way Kickoff

Tough economic times can bring out the best in people; and we remember that community success only comes in working together and caring for one another. Our 2009 United Way campaign kicks off today with the theme “UNM Lives United.” Our goal of $1 million is the same as last year, but what we seek is more participation from our campus community. How much you give is not important. It is the giving that counts, for every contribution big or small, will help more than 100 social and nonprofit agencies the United Way supports in central New Mexico, such as at-risk children, the elderly, victims of family violence and other neighbors in need.  Donors can designate dollars for UNM programs.  So when your donation form comes this week, please think about community and contribute.

Mile of Coins

While on the topic of giving, the Student Veterans of the University of New Mexico are raising money for a newly-established scholarship fund. Once again, they host the “mile of coins” on Smith Plaza on Veterans’ Day.  They’re asking students and UNM organizations to begin collecting coins that can be placed side-by-side on November 11.

Fuentes Lecture

As part of the semester-long Lobo Reading Program focusing on immigration and Mexican relations, we welcome renowned Mexican writer Carlos Fuentes to campus this Friday evening for the third and final lecture of the fall series hosted by the Provost’s office.  Fuentes presents, “Mexico in a Nutshell,” a vision of the country’s culture, history and society from the pre-Hispanic epoch to the present.  The lecture will be followed by a book-signing.  It all begins at 6 p.m. this Friday in the SUB ballrooms.

ISTEC General Assembly

The 17th General Assembly of the Ibero American Science & Technology Consortium (ISTEC) gets underway today at UNM. The goal of this week-long international conference is to position New Mexico as a gateway for science, technology, education and innovation for Ibero-America, while promoting UNM as a premiere academic and research institution. The General Assembly brings prestigious leaders from industry, government and academia to our campus, and we welcome them.

Celebrating Tony Hillerman

The UNM Foundation and HarperCollins Publishing celebrate the life of Tony Hillerman and the landscapes made memorable in his books in an event on November 5 at 6 p.m. at the Student Union Building.  Following the tribute, there will be an exclusive endowment reception at Zimmerman Library to benefit the Hillerman/McGarrity Creative Writing Scholarship in UNM’s Department of English. It promises to be a memorable evening.  For all of the details, please go to, http://www.unm.edu/~market/cgi-bin/archives/004398.html#more.

Have a good week.

David J. Schmidly

Good morning.

Health and Wellness Announcements

Health and wellness top the list of UNM announcements and happenings this week. The UNM community congratulates Dr. Melanie Royce, UNM Cancer Center and the Department of Internal Medicine, for being one of only 11 physicians nationally at the 63 NCI Cancer Centers to win an NCI Clinical Team Leadership Award. This highly competitive award is supported by stimulus funds and will provide funding for Dr. Royce and her team to advance cancer clinical trials. This is great news, especially for women in New Mexico and across the nation who are affected by breast cancer.  Congratulations, Dr. Royce.

This week is Preventive Health Week at UNM.  Starting tomorrow, October 13, the Division of Human Resources will bring in several health services to provide seasonal flu shots, cholesterol and glucose testing, bone density heel scans, and many more tests. On Wednesday, UNM and community wellness resources will gather for the Road to Wellness Fair.  Visit http://hr.unm.edu/ehpp/initiatives.php for the details. I encourage everyone to take advantage of these opportunities.

Our focus is on prevention when addressing the flu. Several clinics for the seasonal flu vaccine are scheduled.  To find dates and locations, just go to the http://unm.edu website and click on the green H1N1 icon. These clinics are for regular seasonal flu vaccine only; we have not yet received word on when we will be receiving the H1N1 vaccine.

Siren Test

There will be a test of the UNM siren system this morning at 11:02 a.m.  As a test, no action is required. During a real incident, a siren alert means to shelter indoors and await further instructions, which would come via the TextMe system, email alerts and on the web.

United Way “Tee Off”

UNM’s United Way campaign, “UNM Lives United,” begins with an eye toward increasing on campus participation so that we match last year’s $1 million goal. This Friday, Oct. 16, the campaign “tees off” in the 8th annual UNM Golf Fiesta at the UNM Championship Course.  The tournament is open to all students, faculty, staff, retirees and alumni. Tournament sign-in begins Friday at 11:30 a.m. with the shotgun start scheduled for 12:30 p.m.

Special Legislative Session

Governor Richardson has called a special legislative session to begin Saturday, Oct. 17.  The legislature will be wrestling with strategies to address the state’s financial deficit. Most likely, the University will be facing a mid year rescission.  I will communicate with the UNM community as we learn about the outcomes of the special session.

Have a good week,

David J. Schmidly

Good morning.

We’re pleased to welcome Spanish royalty to campus this morning. Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince and Princess of Asturias, will preside over the fourth meeting of the advisory council for The Prince of Asturias Endowed Chair in Information Science and Related Technologies.

This endowed chair, funded by Spain’s electric utility Iberdrola,is shared by the departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Computer Science.  Dr. Fernando Pérez-González recently began his tenure as the second Prince of Asturias Professor.

We’re also delighted to host the Ambassador of Spain to the United States at today’s meeting, as well as our good friend, former U.S. Ambassador to Spain Edward Romero who spearheaded the effort to have the Prince of Asturias Chair located at UNM.

Athletics Issues

Reports of an altercation involving Lobo head football coach Mike Locksley and an assistant coach spread throughout the media last week and have caused much concern and debate in the UNM community.

Vice President for Athletics Paul Krebs has rightfully asked the Division of Human Resources to conduct an official investigation and to provide direction on appropriate actions.  He is also contracting with UNM’s Counseling, Assistance and Referral Service to assist in the evaluation and in identifying potential solutions.  This is consistent with provisions in UNM policies 3215 (Performance Management) and 2210 (Campus Violence).  You can find these at:

http://www.unm.edu/~ubppm/ubppmanual/3215.htm and at

http://www.unm.edu/~ubppm/ubppmanual/2210.htm.

The University takes this issue seriously.  We want it settled as quickly as possible and the investigation will be done thoroughly.

Lobo Ads

We are fully aware that many in the UNM community found the Route 66 television ads that included the Lobo mascot to be in questionable taste and not in line with the mission and values of this institution.  As soon as these concerns were made known, UNM Athletics worked with Route 66 to revise the ads. The old ads were pulled off the air a week ago.

Admissions Requirements

The University of New Mexico is considering modifying UNM admission requirements to maximize a student’s opportunity for success. Proposed requirements would de-emphasize standardized test scores, like the SAT and ACT, emphasize a student’s preparation in high school and reward dual credit, AP, and other rigorous courses. 

The Regents want the proposed modifications to be thoroughly discussed and understood. We are seeking comment from students, parents, educators and interested citizens from around the state.  To review the proposed requirements and comment, please go to www.unm.edu/admissions/arp/.  The deadline for comment is November 15, 2009.

Happy Anniversary, El Centro!

El Centro de la Raza is celebrating 40 years of working with and for the students of the University of New Mexico.  Their Adelante celebration is being observed today and tomorrow with a number of activities at the SUB.  A full schedule of events is on El Centro’s website at http://www4.unm.edu/elcentro/.  On behalf of the entire university community, congratulations to El Centro de la Raza for decades of wonderful service.

Have a good week.

David J. Schmidly