Tuition increase approved

The Mesalands Community College board of trustees on June 11 approved increases in tuition rates and several fees and gave a two-year contract extension to President John Groesbeck.

Without dissension, trustees voted for hikes in credit-hour tuition for the 2019-2020 school year. The rate per credit hour for an in-state student rose from $58 to $60, a 3.4% increase. For out-of-state students, the rate rose from $104 to $110 per credit hour, an increase of 5.8%.

Several officials at the meeting, which was moved from its regularly scheduled June 18 so Groesbeck could watch Mesalands athletes at the College National Finals Rodeo in Wyoming, said those were the first tuition increases in two years.

Board Chairman Jim Streetman, citing big tuition hikes by other universities in the state, wondered whether Mesalands’ hikes were enough to keep up with the college’s expenses. Amanda Hammer, vice president of administrative affairs, replied that “smaller increments” of tuition increases was “a better way” for the college to stay abreast of expenditures.

In its April meeting, trustees approved a 2020 operating budget of $9.6 million that included a deficit of $153,000. Groesbeck expressed confidence at that time the gap could be reduced through consolidating positions or not replacing personnel when they leave.

Fee increases included a hike from $4 to $5 for an official transcript fee. The college increased its cost of bronze from $10 to $15 a pound for foundry students and instituted a new fee of $10 a pound for aluminum.

The college also set fees for farrier services of $40 for shoeing and $20 for hoof trimming. Mesalands once offered different fees for off-campus and on-campus farrier services.

Several dozens of other fees were left unchanged.

Trustees emerged after a 20-minute closed session to ratify a two-year extension for Groesbeck, who still has a little more than one year remaining on his current deal. With the extension, Groesbeck’s contact would expire June 30, 2022.

Details of Groesbeck’s compensation with the extension will be worked out at a later date. According to earlier reporting by the Quay County Sun, he currently draws a salary of $156,000 a year.

Board secretary/clerk Liz Estrada said she was “pleased with his performance.”

Groesbeck said he appreciated the board’s support, enjoyed the college and scenery and appreciated faculty members’ congeniality and “willingness to try new things.” Summing up the college and the area, he said: “I wish it would stop being the best-kept secret in New Mexico.”

In other business:

• The board heard from Natalie Gillard, vice president of academic affairs, about the Higher Learning Commission’s recent visit regarding the college’s reaccreditation. She said the indications were “there’s reason to be optimistic,” and the HLC signaled it would not recommend any sanctions. A final report to Mesalands is expected in November.

• The board approved a $32,297 purchase of a 2019 Chevrolet Express Van from Melloy Fleet of Albuquerque. The van, which comes with a tow package, will be used for hauling faculty and students, including the rodeo team. The van will be officially purchased next month, about the time its lease on a minivan expires.

• The board approved $55,300 worth of property and equipment leases for the Mesalands Community College Foundation, effective July 1 for one year. The deal includes seven parcels and two trailers.

• The board heard a spring persistence report from Aaron Kennedy, vice president of student affairs. He said of 736 grades issued during midterms, 624 were passing, which Kennedy described as a high number, and 112 were failing.

For early registration day April 4, just 16 enrolled for fall, which Kennedy said was “abysmal.” He said most students don’t enroll until they get a postcard reminder in August. Groesbeck said Mesalands needs to form a plan to improve those numbers.

Kennedy said the Vice President’s List to recognized high GPA’s in the spring included 25 students, which was “very good.”

He explained the TLC program, which stands for Teaching, Learning, Caring. The “early alert” program is designed for high-risk students who had a low grade-point average in high school or those who earned a GED.

• The board approved a resolution on procedures about open meetings and public notices. Wording in the resolution was identical to the previous year’s except for the dates.

• The board approved an annual travel approval process for Groesbeck.

• Trustee Jimmy Sandoval asked why the college didn’t host a Cinco de Mayo celebration as it had other years. Groesbeck said the calendar was too full for the event between the Higher Learning Commission’s reaccreditation visit, graduation and Tucumcari Rawhide Days. Groesbeck said he was open to bringing back Cinco de Mayo next year, perhaps in April to prevent it from conflicting with other events. “We’ve got to figure out how to get this done,” he said.