ENMU board of regents cleans up routine business

SANTA FE — The Eastern New Mexico University Board of Regents took care of a routine annual item during its first meeting of the new year on Wednesday in Santa Fe.

Jeff Elwell, president of ENMU-Portales and chancellor of the three-college system, said all of the action items on the agenda were approved unanimously, including the annual authorization for Elwell and ENMU Chief Financial Officer Scott Smart to be able to sign contracts.

Elwell said outgoing board president Jane Christensen and student regent Kekoa VonSchriltz were presented with a framed regents medal and personal gifts. Their replacements have yet to be appointed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

“I think we’ll know on the student very soon; on the other one I couldn’t tell you,” Elwell said.

Discussion regarding the university president’s residence abatement, remodel or rebuild was tabled for a special telephonic meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Elwell said the university received 632 responses to its survey eliciting input from the community regarding how ENMU should proceed with the university’s next president’s residence following the discovery of mold and asbestos in the current home.