Regents discuss president search

PORTALES — The Eastern New Mexico University Board of Regents on Friday said they plan a nationwide search to replace retiring Chancellor Patrice Caldwell.

One regent’s concerns that Caldwell’s successor had already been selected was not true, Regent Trish Ruiz of Hobbs was assured by Regent President Lance Pyle and other board members.

Friday’s discussion about Caldwell’s replacement began with impassioned remarks from Ruiz, who was concerned she’d been excluded from the decision-making process by other regents.

Ruiz said she’d heard rumors that Caldwell would be replaced without following the board’s bylaws about how executive hiring is conducted, which lay out the steps of search, evaluation, formation of a search committee, and screening and interviews.

Ruiz, of Hobbs, also expressed concern that Caldwell had actually been dismissed because of declining enrollments, which she said was not Caldwell’s fault.

“I will not support this move,” Ruiz told other regents.

Pyle told Ruiz and other attendees that the search for Caldwell’s successor had only begun and that bylaws for hiring a new chancellor would be followed. Pyle said Caldwell was not forced out and she has agreed to stay on until her replacement is named.

Pyle said a search committee representing staff, faculty and students will be convened to assist in naming a new chancellor. Caldwell’s successor will be selected by regents after candidates are screened and interviewed, board members emphasized on Friday.

The process may include any university staff who would like to apply for the job, Pyle said.

Also during Friday’s meeting, the board heard about progress on a request for proposals to find and contract with a professional search firm to assist in the process of recruiting qualified candidates to replace Caldwell.

Caldwell announced on Feb. 18 that she intended to retire as of July 31 after a career of 42 years with ENMU.

The board also authorized Chief Financial Officer Scott Smart to apply for $9.5 million in bonds through the New Mexico Finance Authority to install a solar energy and battery storage facility capable of providing 75% of the university’s energy needs when at full power.

The facility is expected to save $9 million in energy costs over its 30-year life, Smart said.

The regents voted 4 to 1 to authorize the application, with Regent Phillip Bustos casting the “no” vote.

Bustos has previously opposed the project, which he said is a “gamble” with technology that could be archaic in 10 years, and, he said, may not be reliable enough to be the primary source of energy for the campus.