Board of Regents Approved Resolutions

PDF VERSION

WHEREAS, the Board of Regents is the legally authorized governing authority of New Mexico Highlands University and is responsible for oversight of the institution’s mission, strategic direction, and operations;

WHEREAS, the Board has fiduciary and statutory responsibilities under New Mexico law to ensure the effective and lawful management of the University;

WHEREAS, the mission of New Mexico Highlands University is to serve students and communities through high‑quality education, academic opportunity, and workforce development;

WHEREAS, student success and enrollment growth are critical to the sustainability and vitality of the University;

WHEREAS, the Board supports efforts to increase enrollment at the Las Vegas campus and across the University’s regional centers;

WHEREAS, the Board recognizes the importance of in‑person instruction as a central component of the student experience;

WHEREAS, the Board supports evaluating and reorganizing the University’s Centers to align with current and future academic programs and institutional priorities;

WHEREAS, the Board affirms its confidence in the leadership of the University President and the executive administration;

WHEREAS, the Board recognizes the advisory role of faculty participation in shared governance;

WHEREAS, the Board has reviewed documentation regarding communications and conduct involving faculty union leadership that has contributed to adversarial governance interactions with University administrators;

WHEREAS, the Board recognizes that collective bargaining rights must be respected but do not extend to interfering with lawful operational management authority of the University administration or the governing authority of the Board of Regents;

WHEREAS, the Board has previously directed the transition from handbook‑based governance toward a structured framework of Board policies, institutional policies, and operational policies.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1. The Board of Regents affirms its full confidence in and support for the President of New Mexico Highlands Uni versity and the executive administration.

2. The Board affirms that operational management of the University rests with the administration under the leadership of the President and ultimately with the Board of Regents.

3. The Board reaffirms that faculty participation in shared governance provides advisory recommendations related to curriculum, teaching, and academic program development.

4. The Board directs the administration to prioritize increasing student enrollment, strengthening academic programs, and improving the student‑centered learning environment across the University.

5. The Board supports prioritizing in‑person instruction and maintaining on‑campus classes, and the Board hereby charges the administration to prioritize on campus and in person classes moving forward.

6. The Board supports the evaluation and potential reorganization of NMHU’s regional centers to align with institutional priorities and workforce needs.

7. The Board directs the administration and the Office of General Counsel to continue developing clear policies that define governance roles, administrative authority, and advisory participation processes.

8. The Board expects all members of the University community, including union leadership, to engage in governance and labor relations processes in good faith and to refrain from conduct that undermines administrative authority, mischaracterizes institutional actions, or disrupts the effective management of the University.

9. The Board calls upon all members of the University community to engage in professional, respectful, and constructive collaboration that advances the mission of the University and supports the success of its students.

ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 5th day of March, 2026, by the Board of Regents of New Mexico Highlands University.