DEMING – Western New Mexico University regents advanced campus housing planning during their September 10 meeting, as university leaders reported nearly full residence halls and a 20% year-over-year increase in first-time undergraduate enrollment.
According to a university news release, residential halls are operating at 98% overall capacity. President Jose E. Coll identified student retention and housing capacity as priorities, with future residential expansion being explored through public-private partnerships.
Regents approved priority capital funding requests for housing design, student recreation and baseball facility upgrades. Those actions advance funding requests but do not constitute approval to begin construction.
University officials also reported graduate applications increased 30% year over year. Dual enrollment declined 41%, which the university attributed to a state rule change removing mandatory high school participation. Coll said that decline does not affect institutional funding under the current higher education funding formula.
The board also reviewed a staff compensation study finding roughly 48% of non-represented staff members fall below their salary-grade minimums. Administrators are developing an implementation plan to address compensation equity and salary compression. The release did not announce approval of salary increases.
The next Board of Regents meeting is scheduled for December 10, before fall commencement.
