LULAC wants regents selected by vote
By Diana M. Alba Sun-News reporter
Article Launched: 07/25/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT



LAS CRUCES — Some state and university leaders are frowning upon a proposal by a national Hispanic activist group seeking to revamp how New Mexico university regents are chosen.

But at least one member of a southern New Mexico government watchdog group says the change would be favorable.

The League of United Latin American Citizens, at both the state and national levels, has signed off on a resolution asking that regents be elected.

Now, according to the state Constitution, power rests with the New Mexico governor to appoint the positions. The Senate confirms appointees.

LULAC said it's backing the change to promote transparency and better representation of Hispanics on university governing boards.

But Bob Gallagher, chairman of the New Mexico State University Board of Regents, stated opposition to such a change, saying accountability already is built into the regent selection process.

"They're absolutely wrong with suggesting regents should be elected," he said. "The governor is elected and held responsible for many, many appointed positions. The oversight and financial stewardship of a university should be vested in the governor's appointees."

In addition, Gallagher noted that NMSU is classified as a
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minority-serving university, and said that's reflected in the student body, faculty and administration.

The governing board, Gallagher said, should be comprised of "five people who care deeply about the university. The color of their skin, the religion they practice, has nothing to do with it."

Regent Steve Anaya is the only Hispanic on the five-member NMSU board, though Student Regent Ed Kellum noted he's one-eighth Hispanic.

Las Crucen Lynn Ellins, a member of the Southern New Mexico Chapter of Common Cause, a government watchdog group, is a former regent for the University of Colorado, where regents are elected. He served a six-year term.

"I like the elected model better because we have far more independence from the Legislature and the governor — from the political pressures. That was my experience in Colorado; you have far more independence."

Las Crucen Paul Martinez, LULAC state president, said he feels university leaders have not been responsive to the public on matters such as tuition, housing and administrator pay.

Under the current system, "they answer to the governor; they don't answer to the public," he said. "There's no accountability to the public. There's a lot of parents that feel they want the regents to be accountable."

A change to the New Mexico Constitution would take approval by the Legislature, the governor and state residents.

State Rep. Mary Helen Garcia, D-Las Cruces, said she'd oppose a change from the current system.

"The reason is because it becomes a popularity vote," she said. "Sometimes, if someone is wealthy, they can buy the election, and I think you need special credentials to be a regent. I don't see it being an elected position."

Garcia said, however, she favors Hispanic representation on university governing boards. She recommended groups like LULAC could make that an issue during gubernatorial races.

"Maybe that could be resolved through their participation in the election of the governor," she said.

Kellum said he understands LULAC's concerns about Hispanic representation on the Boards of Regents, but like Gallagher, said he feels the regents have the best interests of students at heart, regardless of race. He said the board actions could become more volatile if regents were elected.

"I'd be worried about is — whenever you elect people to a position — sometimes what you get is the popular vote, the blowing of the winds at the time," he said. "You can get people on there that won't necessarily have the long-term interests of the community."

In addition, Kellum said electing board members would present practical difficulties, especially for the student regent.

"Who would elect the student regent?" he said. "Would it be just the students? Would it be the public? Would the students have to go into the community and campaign?"

Diana M. Alba can be reached at dalba@lcsun-news.com