ENMU regents hear update on status of Greyhound sports

PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University regents took care of a pair of important contracts in a half-hour special meeting Thursday afternoon, but spent the majority of the meeting addressing various non-action items, including the status of Greyhound sports.

Athletic Director Matt Billings said changes to the regulations for intercollegiate sports issued Monday mainly benefit Division I New Mexico and New Mexico State. He was hopeful changes would happen that could benefit ENMU and other smaller New Mexico colleges, but no changes were announced by the state on Friday. The state is requiring PCR tests, but Billings is hoping the state will soon accept the antigen tests ENMU is doing three times a week.

“I feel like we’re ready to go,” Billings said. “Our coaches want to get back to normal practices. Our student-ahletes are all back. We’ve tested everybody (at least) once. As far as competitions, we’re still holding out hope to have softball, baseball and outdoor track compete in the spring.”

The university declined to participate in athletics in the fall, and backed out of basketball, volleyball and soccer given the testing requirements from the state. The Lone Star Conference held its cross country season in the fall, is currently in basketball season and plans to open volleyball this week and soccer Feb. 15. The baseball and softball seasons are scheduled to begin Friday. The conference opted against a spring football season.

Billings said the fall sports teams and both basketball squads may have some appetite for scrimmages. When asked how student-athletes were taking the news, Billings said his message has always been that they’ve been handed an unimaginable year.

“I think the men and women are just glad to be back,” Billings said. “They’re going to control what they can control, but I think they’re all hoping to get back to normal practices and maybe some competition.”

Regent President Dan Patterson said ENMU might have made a difficult but correct choice in pulling out of basketball. He noted two grandsons are playing college basketball, one in Albuquerque and one in San Antonio, and in both cases “it’s been hit-and-miss.”

In other business at the Thursday meeting:

• Regents approved a construction manager at risk contract with Bradbury Stamm for the Roosevelt Science Center renovation project.

The firm was chosen from three proposals that were graded based on applications, contract price and the interview process.

Pyle asked if there was any language in the contract for the price to change. Vice President of Business Affairs Scott Smart said that would require a change in the scope of work or an unanticipated issue.

“We don’t have a crystal ball,” Smart said, “but I’m probably sure that $1.265 million would represent 95% of their fee structure. There aren’t too many unknowns in this project, based on the time and effort spent.”

• Regents approved a contract renewal with Sodexo for campus dining services with a 4.54% increase. Regents tabled the item at their December meeting to give the college a chance to negotiate a lower increase. Smart said Sodexo offered a 3.5% increase in exchange for a two-year extension, but state regulations wouldn’t allow the contract to extend that far out. The current contract expires in 2022.

Regent Terry Othick said he appreciated the effort, which satisfied board concerns.

• Pyle asked Chancellor Patrice Caldwell about having a backup plan for an in-person commencement in May if things turn around on the pandemic.

“It is very much in our mind,” Caldwell said, “that students want that.”

Pyle said he didn’t like the idea of the university doing its third consecutive virtual commencement if there was another opportunity, and believed the Portales community would be more than willing to cooperate with such an effort.

• The next meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Feb. 19.