MCC won't consider merger 'at this time'

Mesalands Community College stated in a letter to a state senator the financially troubled college was not “at this time” considering the option of becoming a branch of a four-year university.

State Sen. George Munoz (D-Gallup) in late July wrote letters to Mesalands, Eastern New Mexico University and New Mexico State University, urging Mesalands to consider a partnership or make the Tucumcari college a branch campus of one of the universities. He requested a response by Aug. 28.

Last Monday, Mesalands board of trustees Chairman Richard Primrose and Mesalands Interim President Allen Moss wrote a response to Munoz. The Quay County Sun obtained a copy of the letter through an open-records request.

The letter stated it agreed Mesalands needed “additional and strengthened partnerships” between other higher education institutions in New Mexico.

“Over the past few months, we have changed our focus toward this end,” it stated.

The letter details an articulation agreement with Northern New Mexico College in July with Mesalands business management students.

It also mentioned an agreement with ENMU-Ruidoso with Mesalands’ wind and cybersecurity programs.

Mesalands stated it is looking to explore partnerships with its teacher, renewable energy, paleontology, nursing and cowboy arts programs.

But the Mesalands letter to Munoz added: “While not specifically mentioned in your letter, we are not at this time looking at the option of becoming a branch of a 4-year institution.”

It stated Mesalands soon will undergo an economic impact study. The New Mexico Higher Education Department also will issue a request for proposals for an additional assessment of the college’s “best path forward.”

The letter insisted what the college currently is doing “is vital work regardless of the future of Mesalands.”

That includes “working to get our finances in order in a fiscally responsible manner, providing the best education and opportunities for our students, reimplementing and training in Jenzabar and working to improve our service to the community.”

“This work needs to be accomplished whether Mesalands remains an independent college or looks to go under another 4-year institution,” it stated.

The letter stated the college also was working with the New Mexico State Auditor to complete 2022 and 2023 audits, plus a special audit, all which should be finished by late December.

Primrose and Moss attached an updated copy of a PowerPoint presentation given to the Legislature’s Board of Finance in May that details the college’s position and actions taken or planned.

Attempts to reach Munoz by phone or email for comment were unsuccessful.

NMSU, in response to the Quay County Sun’s open-records request for a response to Munoz’s letter, stated it would not have any documents available until Sept. 13.

A records liaison officer at ENMU stated last week it had no records of a response from the university to Munoz.

However, James Johnston, chancellor of ENMU and president of the Portales campus, replied in an earlier email to Munoz and other members of the Senate Finance Committee.

Johnston signaled an open mind to Munoz’s proposal but wanted logistical questions answered from lawmakers and the New Mexico Higher Education Department.

“We are aware of some of MCC’s challenges and know that there would be much more to work through,” Johnston wrote. “However, it is ENMU’s position to always do what is in the best interest of the students and provide higher education access and opportunity to the citizens of New Mexico. With that goal in mind, yes, we are willing to explore possibilities with MCC.”

State Rep. Jack Chatfield, R-Mosquero, whose 67th District includes Quay County, serves on the Higher Education Committee. He said in a phone interview with the Quay County Sun last month he would oppose Mesalands merging with a four-year school.

“Our first choice is that Mesalands remain an independent college,” he said. “I’m not in support of it coming under another entity.”

He said the only thing that would change his mind is if Mesalands “can no longer function economically in a manner of what they have in the past.”

The financially distressed college, which was in danger of not meeting payroll early this year, imposed pay cuts, eliminated several programs and received emergency funds from the state to keep it afloat.

Mesalands executive staff and faculty issued no-confidence votes against its previous president, Gregory Busch, and he left town shortly afterward. Busch submitted his resignation several weeks later.

Moss soon was appointed interim president, and the college’s finances improved enough that it returned some state funds. Mesalands remains under state fiscal oversight.