Students enrolled at Northern New Mexico College will soon have a representative with significant input in the affairs of the school because of a decision made by voters.
New Mexico residents voted 65 percent to 35 percent in favor of Constitutional Amendment Two during the Nov. 4 election.
The proposal asked voters if they want to amend article 12, section 13 of the state’s constitution, mandating the governor appoint a student to be a voting member of the College’s Board of Regents.
The Board currently has two student representatives, but they do not have voting power and act only as advisors to Board members.
Former Northern Student Senate president Jeff Ethan Au Green was the person who initiated the campaign. He said he felt very satisfied with the vote once he realized the proposal would pass.
“It is important for students to have a voice regarding the issues that are taking place on Northern’s campus,” Au Green said. “That is the case on other college campuses. Why shouldn’t it be at Northern?”
Au Green said the easy part was convincing Sen. Richard Martinez, D-Rio Arriba, Los Alamos, Sandoval and Santa Fe, to support the proposal. The difficult part was going through the legislative process.
He said he had to be sure to speak with the necessary legislative committee members and that the amendment did not stall as it went through the Senate and House chambers.
He said Regent members were hesitant, but the administration supported his efforts.
“The administration was the sponsor and champion of the legislation when it was passed,” Northern’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement Ricky Serna wrote in an email. “We worked with Senator Martinez to get the legislation drafted and introduced. We also represented the legislation in committee. We completely support the amendment.”
According to the amendment, the process will be similar to previous appointments Gov. Susana Martinez made. The New Mexico Senate must confirm the appointment of those nominated by Martinez.
Northern’s President Nancy Barceló, will provide Martinez with a list of potential candidates and she will nominate one person to be the college’s first student regent. The appointment lasts for two years.
There is no limit to the number of students who can be on the list of candidates, so long as he or she is currently enrolled at the college, that person can be nominated, regardless of country of citizenship.
“The College is working on a vetting process that will mirror most other institutions,” Serna wrote. “The process will include the Student Senate, the Administration and existing members of the Board. Governor will receive nominations that come from the process and she will make final appointment.”
Michael Branch and Alfred Herrera, two current Regent members, are due for reappointment in December. To make room for the new student regent, Martinez can appoint only one non-student member, leaving the remaining post for the student.
That means only one person, either Branch or Herrera, can be reappointed. Martinez can also nominate someone new to the post.
Some students said they wonder if this change will give them a real voice at the college.
“I am afraid the administration may already have someone in mind who will vote with them on the issues and not represent what the student body really wants,” former student Pedro Trujillo said.
Despite the concerns, Au Green said he believes students have little to worry about. The student regent will be appointed by Martinez and she is not aligned with the administration.
Although current business administration student Ross Griego said he likes the measure, he said it can be either a positive or negative change, it depends on the motives of whoever is placed in the position.
“It is all politics,” Griego said. “This is a political area and if the person is political and has his own motives, then change will be difficult. If the person really wants to represent the students and listens to what the students have to say and what they want, it will be a welcome change.”