Senator expresses optimism for MCC's future

State Sen. Pat Woods said last week he has grown more optimistic about the future of financially troubled Mesalands Community College.

Woods, a Republican from Broadview whose 7th District includes Quay County, traveled to the college Wednesday to deliver a keynote speech for Mesalands' annual Constitution Day celebration.

In an interview after his speech, Woods said he had talked Stephanie Rodriguez, Secretary of to New Mexico Higher Education Department, about efforts to help rectify Mesalands' fiscal problems and maintain its accreditation.

"They were very optimistic that Mesalands was on the right track," Woods said. "I feel very optimistic."

Woods said the college needs to attract more students, and he cited its wind-energy, nursing and silversmith programs as avenues for that.

"Anytime you can get a $50,000 job walking right out of college out of less than a two-year degree is pretty big stuff," he said, referring to Mesalands' wind-energy program.

Fellow state senator George Munoz this summer urged New Mexico State University or Eastern New Mexico University to consider a merger or partnership with the college. State Rep. Jack Chatfield (R-Mosquero) said he would oppose a merger.

When initially contacted by the Quay County Sun about Munoz's query, Woods declined to comment until he knew more about the matter.

Woods said Wednesday he since has received more information about the situation. He said he doubted Mesalands would merge with a four-year university.

"I don't think we're going to have a merger," he said. "If they put (Mesalands) under another university, first thing is they're going to scrape off 5% to 10% of their budget to handle your finances that would be better spent right here."

Woods said if a college shows it is fiscally responsible, a merger isn't needed.

Woods also praised the appointment earlier this year of former longtime Quay County manager Richard Primrose to the college's board of trustees. Primrose promptly was elected the board's chairman after the board approved him.

"That gives everybody a lot more confidence because Richard was used to seeing lots of budgets in his time," Woods said. "I'm confident that end of it looks a lot better."

Constitution Day officially is celebrated Sept. 17, the anniversary of the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by 39 men in 1787.

While dozens of students and staffers munched on free pizza Wednesday, Woods gave the event's keynote speech.

He proclaimed the Constitution and its Bill of Rights "the greatest thing this country has ever achieved."

Woods said many of the document's signers came from oppressive governments in Europe, prompting the drafting of the Bill of Rights.

"Our Constitution offers hope to the world," Woods said. "It is a beacon of hope to the world."

Shortly before Woods was introduced, Mesalands Interim President Allen Moss talked about the Constitution and the rights it provides: "We don't always agree with everything the government does ... but we live in a country where we're free to express that disagreement."