Western NM University regents tasked with addressing previous allegations of financial malfeasance
Western New Mexico University campus pictured in Silver City, New Mexico. (Photo courtesy Western New Mexico University)
Western New Mexico University's new board of regents will meet for the first time next week, taking the first steps in getting the university 'back on track' following claims of misuse of funds and violation of fiduciary responsibilities.
The state Senate confirmed four regents for the Silver City university during the recent 60-day session, including former state Sen. Steven Neville, attorney John Wertheim, WNMU alumnus J. Dean Reed and student regent Keana Huerta.
The fifth regent seat remains empty. A spokesperson for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham told Source NM that they did not have any updates about when the governor might announce a fifth regent nomination.
The terms of two members of the previous board of regents expired at the end of December and the other three regents submitted their resignations in January, about a year after the New Mexico Office of the State Auditor reported finding university leadership had misused hundreds of thousands of public funds on lavish trips and other spending.
The board voted in December to terminate former university President Joseph Shepard's contract and then authorized a $1.9 million severance package. Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a civil suit against Shepard and the board in January, alleging they had violated fiduciary duties, New Mexico's anti-donation clause, the Open Meetings Act and laws pertaining to unjust enrichment, not fulfilling contractual obligations and acting on an unenforceable contract.
Shepard filed a motion in March to dismiss the case against him, which Torrez opposes. A hearing on the motion is scheduled for June 16, according to court records.
Huerta told Source NM in a statement that the new board intends to keep the university's students at the forefront of 'our discussions and work diligently to ensure that any issues are addressed appropriately.'
'We as the board are committed to doing the right thing in this situation,' Huerta told Source in a written statement. 'Ensuring transparency and accountability while upholding the integrity of the institution are our priorities.'
Huerta is originally from the Silver City area and a third-year student at WNMU, which she said makes her uniquely qualified to 'understand the needs and challenges of our local students, faculty, and staff,' she said.
Neville, a former state senator who represented Senate District 2 in San Juan County, told Source he does not want to make a judgement on the ongoing investigation and litigation until he has more facts and that he will leave the legal action to the attorney general and the state auditor.
Steven Neville, a former state senator representing parts of San Juan County, joins the Western New Mexico University board of regents. (Photo courtesy Steven Neville)
'My job is to try to get us a new president, try to get things back on track, make sure that the books are balanced and go from there,' he said, noting that ensuring students' experiences remain positive and quality education is provided are a priority. 'Western's a very good university so we want to make sure that that focus continues.'
Neville added that he has spoken to his fellow regents and said they are all working on gaining more knowledge of the university's situation and are thinking along similar lines in regard to their next steps.
Legislators introduced four pieces of legislation addressing the role of university regents and how they are chosen during the recent 60-day session, but only one bill passed and awaits the governor's signature. Senate Bill 19 would require new regents to complete 10 hours of training within six months of being appointed.
House Joint Resolution 12, supported by the attorney general, died in a Senate committee, and proposed asking voters to approve a constitutional amendment codifying regents' fiduciary duties, moving proceedings to remove regents from the state Supreme Court to district courts and allow the attorney general or majority of the board to initiate removal of a regent.
Senate Joint Resolution 7 also died in a Senate committee. The resolution proposed an amendment to the state Constitution requiring the governor to select regents from a vetted list provided by a nominating committee.
Senate Bill 266 would have required regents to submit certain employment contracts to the State Board of Finance for approval, adding a level of oversight to boards of regents.
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