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NMSU employee organization undergoes name change

Every time the Advisory Council on Administrative Policy was mentioned in conversation, Kelly Brooks had to pause, explain its purpose and clear up any confusion. Those days are hopefully long gone.

ACAP is now the New Mexico State University Employee Council. Brooks, who chairs the organization, can now rely on the name to do the explaining.

"We are a voice of the employees," Brooks said. "The name change reflects our role and mission more accurately."

The organization investigates matters involving the policies and procedures of the administration and university and makes recommendations to the university president. It serves as the communication between university staff and administration.

Brooks, who has been involved with the organization for six years, said there have long been concerns that the ACAP name has contributed to confusion regarding the role the organization plays at NMSU and has hindered efforts to attract employee involvement and input.

The NMSU Employee Council's executive group includes, from left, Tim Nesbitt, past chair; Kelly Brooks, chair; Diana Quintana, president's representative; and Roseanne Bensley, chair-elect. Not pictured is Norma Ledesma, secretary.

"Some of the confusion comes from the perception the organization is a university committee and not an elected body of employee representatives," Brooks said.

The NMSU Employee Council has 20 elected members and 12 alternate members. It is composed of the university's professional employees, faculty and non-exempt staff, with its elected members coming from various departments at NMSU.

"We hope the name change will increase employee awareness and involvement," Brooks said.

Last year, the NMSU Employee Council made another major change by holding its election online for the first time.

Brooks said the organization also is in the process of updating its Web site to reflect the name change.

All employees are encouraged to attend the NMSU Employee Council meetings, which are at 3 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month in various locations around campus.

For more information contact Brooks at (575) 527-7745 or at kebrooks@nmsu.edu, or visit the organization's Web site at www.nmsu.edu/~acap/.

Written by Louie Calderon.