ENMU secures funding for renovation

Eastern New Mexico University President Steven Gamble is declaring a victory following New Mexico's 2013 legislative session.

In addition to the $9 million ENMU is set to receive from a successful general obligation bond proposal in the November election, ENMU secured an additional $4 million in capital outlay money to renovate the Jack Williamson Liberal Arts Building (JWLA) as well as $337,000 for its PBS station KENW-TV.

"That is the largest classroom building on campus," Gamble said.

Like ENMU, Clovis Community College also benefited from the general obligation bond proposal and will use the $800,000 to renovate an old building that will house its new physical therapy assistant program in the fall.

"We have met with the architect and he is working on preliminary plans to renovate that space," said CCC President Becky Rowley about the old allied health space. "It's not useable for anything right now."

Gamble said it was imperative they fought for that extra slice of pie with the additional capital outlay funds available because KENW was in dire need of new equipment.

"They have had very bad budget cuts over the past five years," Gamble said. "This will get them to buy replacement equipment for students."

Rowley said CCC did not have any other capital outlay projects to fund and did not put in a bid for additional money during the legislative session. She's focused on getting the physical therapy assistant program up and running.

"The class will have 12-18 students the first go-around," Rowley said. "We're going to be seeking accreditation for the program."

Rowley says they'll be expanding rooms in the building to make them functional.

"We'll be getting a lot of new stuff in, part of the plan is how to fit the equipment in the lay of the land," she said.

She added that curriculum for the program is currently being worked on.

"We're really excited about it, I just think it's going to be a great opportunity for our students," Rowley said.

She says there is a need for physical therapy assistants in the area and she says it's important to create programs that will create jobs.

Gamble said he is also set to move forward with the JWLA renovations, which will begin in the fall. All classes and offices will be moved from that building for 18 months.

"With that money we will replace the HVAC system (heating and cooling system), we will replace the roof and we will make the whole building a 'smart' building," Gamble said.

By making the JWLA a smart building, Gamble plans to incorporate new technology in each classroom.

"We will also add about 5,000 square feet to the building to make more room for faculty offices and expand classroom size," Gamble said.