New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has called for the immediate resignation of regents at Western New Mexico State University following revelations of wasteful spending and failures in financial oversight. The governor stated in a year-end letter to the board of regents that new leadership is needed to ensure the university can regain its equilibrium and prioritize serving its students. The turmoil arose after the resignation of university president Joseph Shepard, who was found to have engaged in questionable spending practices, including extravagant international travel and the use of a university credit card by his wife, Valerie Plame.
The regents supported an arrangement for Shepard’s resignation that includes a new faculty job with a six-figure salary and a one-time payment of $1.9 million, raising concerns about ethical implications and fiduciary responsibilities. The State Ethics Commission and the Attorney General announced inquiries into the matter to determine if the regents fulfilled their duties. Faculty at the university expressed a vote of no confidence in the board of regents and urged state officials to intervene and reconsider the terms of Shepard’s resignation. They called for responsive and decisive leadership to address the ongoing issues at the university.
Governor Lujan Grisham’s call for the resignation of the regents has been supported by faculty at Western New Mexico State University, who view it as a necessary step to bring accountability and transparency to the institution. The remaining regents are expected to resign before Friday, according to faculty senate president Phillip Schoenberg, who emphasized the need for strong and effective leadership to address the challenges facing the university. Shepard’s appointment as president in 2011 and the subsequent controversies surrounding his tenure have raised concerns about governance and financial oversight at the university.
The history of Western New Mexico State University dates back to the 1890s, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the region. Despite its long history, the recent revelations of financial mismanagement and ethical lapses have cast a shadow over the university’s reputation and raised questions about the effectiveness of its leadership. The call for the resignation of the regents and the ongoing investigations into the handling of Shepard’s resignation highlight the need for accountability and transparency in the governance of public institutions. It remains to be seen how the university will move forward and address the challenges it faces in rebuilding trust and credibility with its students, faculty, and the community.
