Resolution on NMSU Board of Regents to Select and Hire a University President that accurately represents the demographics of the State of New Mexico, preferably Hispanic and/or a at least a person with strong ties to New Mexico culture and idiosyncrasies

WHEREAS, 84 years ago, the founders of the League of Latin American Citizens, (LULAC) joined together to establish an organization that would become the largest, oldest and successful Hispanic civil rights and service organization in the United States, and

WHEREAS, the League of United Latin American Citizens is the nation’s oldest and largest existing Latino membership organization and since its inception has fostered higher education and the advancement of all Hispanics at all the levels and facets of our American society; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico State University is located in the city of Las Cruces and the County of Dona Ana; and

WHEREAS, Dona Ana County is predominantly Hispanic with over 65 percent; which make both the city of Las Cruces and the County of Dona Ana with a minority majority Indo-Hispano community, and

WHEREAS, NMSU is a Hispanic serving institution and the second largest public secondary institution in the State of New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, NMSU offers higher and post-secondary education throughout the State of New Mexico and western Texas, yet both the Board of Regents and the majority of the composition of deans and presidents of our New Mexico higher education system does not adequately represent the state and local demographics in interest of the Hispanic community; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the NM League of United Latin American Citizens issue both a press release and a letter to the NMSU Board Regents demanding that they continue to search for those candidates that adequately reflect and has demonstrated those aptitudes and characteristics so needed and desired by the local and state population, and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that the New Mexico LULAC request a meeting with the NSMU Board of Regents with other local Hispanic Organizations and leaders to assist and become a community advisory committee as so adopted by the University of New Mexico in the last Presidential search conducted over a year ago. That selection was embraced and the candidate met all those aspired attributes and further be it resolved that the Board of Regents appoints a member from a local Hispanic organization on the search committee for selecting a new President of NMSU.

Approved this 22nd day of June 2013.

Margaret Moran
LULAC National President