Office of the President
Monday Morning Memo
August 25, 2008
What an exciting way to start a semester! Last week we had the opportunity to enjoy Convocation with the recognition of outstanding individuals. The recipients of the Patricia Christmore Faculty Teaching Award were J. Paul Vessel (Philosophy) and Joseph Berning (Human Performance, Dance, and Recreation). The University Research Council Awards for Exceptional Achievement in Scholarly Activity went to Jason Ackleson (Government), Elizabeth Horodowich (History). Jesús Barquet (Languages and Linguistics), David Boje (Management), and Harriet Linkin (English). The Academic Outcomes Assessment Award (2007) went to the Art Department, and the Student Support Outcomes Assessment Award went to Housing and Residential Life (2007) and to Student Health Services (2008). We concluded our ceremony with the participation of the Pride Band under the direction of Monte Hill. If you enjoyed the "Aggie Fight Song," please join us for more at the Annual Concert on the Green tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Corbett Center Outdoor Stage.
I would like to express my great appreciation to all those who have already nominated people for the Amazing Aggie Celebration Program that was announced at Convocation. From across our campuses and across the state, we are receiving an amazing response from the Aggie family. We will be featuring our first recipients very soon.
Aggies also turned out in force for the Domenici Public Policy Conference last week, which was a tremendous success. We enjoyed a stellar program with the participation of distinguished individuals from public service as well as from the private sector. Throughout the conference, attendees had the opportunity to interact with Sen. Pete Domenici and with members of his family. We culminated the event with a great concert by Randy Travis. Congratulations to the Legacy Committee who put this conference together, its co-chairs Dean Garrey Carruthers and Secretary Manuel Lujan, and the volunteers who made this event possible. Please enjoy the photographs of the conference that are included in this e-mail message.
Also last week, the special session of the Legislature called by Governor Richardson concluded its work Tuesday in Santa Fe. NMSU's Assistant Vice President for Government Relations, Ricardo Rel, and NMSU Director of State Government Affairs, Dennis Hazlett, reported that while declining revenues over the past month limited the lawmakers' ability to fund the Governor's economic relief package at the levels he had requested, many of the measures were enacted.
Senate Bill 24 provides a tax rebate for taxpayers filing returns for 2007 of up to $100 for married couples and $50 for singles, with an additional amount of up to $50 for each dependent. The rebates are available to taxpayers earning up to $70,000. House Bill 4 increases the working families tax credit by 25 percent. House Bill 7 increases the eligibility standard for the Children, Youth and Families Department's child care program to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Senate Bill 21 provides an additional $1.9 million for home heating assistance and House Bill 2 provides an additional $3.2 million to offset the higher costs of fuel to keep buses rolling for the public school districts.
In the health area, the Legislature appropriated $32.5 million in Senate Bill 22. Of this amount, $20 million would help cover kids up to 18 under the Medicaid program, $10 million would help treat developmentally disabled children, and $2.5 million would fund increased mental health services. House Bill 10 addresses the higher costs of road construction and maintenance by appropriating $200 million to complete many of the GRIP projects originally funded in 2003. And Senate Bill 29 provides $5 million in emergency funds to repair the recent flood damage in Lincoln and Otero counties.
Finally, I am pleased to report that preliminary student enrollment numbers continue to be impressive. On the first day of classes Thursday, overall enrollment at all campuses had surpassed 30,000, more than eight percent ahead of last year at the same time. We will eagerly watch the enrollment numbers until September 5, when we will be able to report more details about how NMSU strengthens its reputation as the One University of choice.
In the meantime, we will settle into the fall semester and the opportunities it will bring our way. My congratulations to all faculty, staff and students for getting our academic year off to such a good start!
Go Aggies!
Waded Cruzado
