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

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