ENMU regents approve five year capital plan

PORTALES — On the eve of the ceremonial conclusion of its spring semester, Eastern New Mexico University’s regents looked forward to what could be coming in capital improvements over its next five years.

During a two-hour meeting that focused on various items, regents on Friday approved a five-year capital plan presented by Vice President of Business Affairs Scott Smart.

The News attended the meeting via teleconference.

The university, Smart said, averages about $10 million in capital projects and $2 million in deferred maintenance projects annually, and provided a list of projects to be funded either through general obligation bonds, severance taxes or the university’s general fund. Projects for the upcoming fiscal year included renovation of the Roosevelt Science Center, an electrical upgrade for the West Campus Apartments, the university house renovation, a solar power project, brick replacement at Eddy Hall, roof replacement at the Student Academic Services building and upgrades to building access control.

Projects in upcoming years include roof replacements for Eddy Hall, the Education Building and the College of Business and renovation of the SAS building and Harding Hall.

Smart said bidding should happen soon on the Roosevelt Science Center, but he is trying to see if the state might let ENMU delay the project for a year because current construction costs could go beyond the project’s general obligation bond awards.

In other matters discussed at the meeting:

• Regent board president Dan Patterson said he felt it was time to start opening up the university as the country was turning corners on the pandemic.

Chancellor Patrice Caldwell agreed that signs looked encouraging for a normal fall semester, but that the university would likely have to play a role in helping drive up the vaccination rates for COVID-19. She said the university will not mandate vaccination, but will try to hold as many on-campus vaccination events as possible while noting the 18-24 demographic has the lowest overall vaccination rates.

Student Regent Chandlar Head asked when the university would follow CDC guidelines allowing vaccinated people to ditch masks in indoor and outdoor settings. Caldwell said the university was still under state guidelines, but was confident changes would come soon. During the meeting, the New Mexico Department of Health announced it was following those CDC guidelines.

Patterson said the last year-plus has been frustrating because guidelines have frequently changed, but Regent Trish Ruiz said regents have to understand that’s the nature of a novel virus.

• Ruidoso branch president Ryan Trosper felt the college’s Thursday commencement ceremony held outdoors went well; “the weather cooperated and it was a beautiful venue.”

Student speakers included two dual credit students, a student who received a high school equivalency degree and a woman who went back to college to set an example for her grandson.

• Regents approved alcohol service by Enchantment Vineyards at an alumni barbecue scheduled for June 26 at Lewis Cooper Arena.

Noelle Bartl of the ENMU Foundation said the new rodeo arena was an ideal venue for the event, and that Sodexo was unable to cater the event.

Caldwell said she was glad to see the event could use a local business.

Regent Lance Pyle noted the winemaker is creating a university-themed wine, and asked if that could be sold at the event or future events. Bartl said the product might not be ready in time for the barbecue, and Smart said he’d have to look into the rules regarding selling the wine and whether sales would cover on- or off-site consumption.

• The next meeting is scheduled for June 5.