Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University regents needed just seven minutes of discussion before accepting a “just in case” donation on a proposed new presidential residence.
The board, by a 5-0 vote in a Friday morning special meeting, accepted a $250,000 donation from the ENMU Foundation Board of Directors. That, along with $650,000 in capital outlay already marked for the home, gives the university a budget of up to $900,000 for construction of the residence.
The regents approved the donation, with two caveats:
n The $250,000 only goes toward the public space portion of the home, at the request of the foundation. In a letter from Foundation President Stephen Doerr, read at the meeting by ENMU Chancellor Jeff Elwell, the foundation recognizes the home’s public space as an opportunity for “alumni and donor cultivation.” The house is to include private space for a family of four and public space for entertaining or various university events.
n The university return any part of the $250,000 it doesn’t expend. Regent Dan Patterson said, “We will only use what is absolutely necessary,” to which Vice President of Business Affairs Scott Smart suggested any unused money should go back to the foundation. Board President Ed Tatum believed that condition was inherent, but wanted to make sure it was officially part of the motion to accept the donation.
Regent Terry Othick approached the foundation about its willingness to cover any overages on the planned 3,500 square foot house. He has mentioned concerns in previous board meetings about cost escalators that don’t exist on private projects, like a requirement to pay state prevailing wage rates.
The regents called the special meeting with deadlines in mind. Smart said he would get the change submitted to the Higher Education Department for its Dec. 11 agenda. Because the project includes state dollars, HED must approve any change in the project budget, regardless of how the new money is acquired.
Elwell and his wife, Edwina Gower, occupy the current presidential residence at 1600 W. Cherry St. The regents have made no decisions on what to do with the current house once the new residence is completed.
