Mesalands board approves letters

The Mesalands Community College board of trustees unanimously approved letters to the Higher Learning Commission to add micro-credential programs and online learning options for all of its classes.

College President Gregg Busch asked the board to approve both letters to the commission, which accredits higher education institutions.

Busch said in previous meetings that more online options would expand Mesalands’ reach to potential students.

Regarding micro-credentials, also known as competency-based learning, Vice President of Campus Affairs and External Relations Jim Morgan said they largely are based on hands-on learning that is preferred by many employers.

An example of micro-credentials is the training Mesalands offers to FieldCore employees for wind-energy technology.

Busch said such programs can enable dual-enrollment students to earn micro-credentials before they graduate from high school. Such programs also can help students learn at an accelerated pace.

In other business:

• The board directed Busch to accept an insurance settlement for the dinosaur museum’s storage building that was destroyed in an August storm and replace it with a metal building, if possible.

Busch said the college will get a $119,000 payout from its insurer. Morgan said the cost of rebuilding the cinder-block structure was “exorbitant” and proposed replacing it with a metal building for an estimated $24,000.

Busch said the artifacts, minerals and other items in the building were moved to the former armory and can be housed there permanently, if necessary. However, the museum’s director and curator prefer to have the building be replaced due to its proximity.

Busch said the college needs to spend about $47,000 to upgrade its fire-alarm system. The insurance payout could cover that and the new building.

The only concern was whether the metal building would meet code with the city’s planning and zoning commission.

• The board approved a motion for the college to use a third-party payroll company. Busch said he would work with Vice President of Academic Affairs Natalie Gillard and other consultants on the transition. The action followed a 50-minute closed executive session.

• Busch said arson fires that destroyed two student cars at the Stampede Village housing complex were “very concerning,” and were being investigated by Tucumcari Police and the state fire marshal’s office. He said Chester Bobbitt, a former state police officer who recently was hired as Mesalands’ security chief, is working to improve safety and security on campus.

Mesalands earlier this year had applied for funding from the Department of Higher Education to form an on-campus police force, but it was rejected. Busch stated in his report the college was exploring funding alternatives.

• Busch said the college would host a COVID-19 booster vaccination event on Dec. 1. He said Mesalands also probably will offer another booster vaccination event in the spring because many faculty members and students didn’t receive their initial shots until the fall.

• Busch said an American Clean Power Energy event last month at the college drew a number of state and federal officials. He said a number of Mesalands students in the wind-energy program “were hired on the spot” by employers who attended.

• Hazel Rountree, vice president of student success and access, said Mesalands’ recent performance by Native American dancers and musicians for Native American Heritage Month drew more than 130 students from the local elementary and middle schools. She said local teachers have called the college to collaborate on future programs.

• Board members approved the annual financial aid report from Jessica Gonzales, director of financial aid. She said state money increased due to the New Mexico Opportunity Scholarship, which pays 100% of tuition and fees. About 67% of student aid came from federal sources, with 22% from state, 8% from institutional sources and 3% from third-party funds.

• Josh McVey, vice president of public relations, said the college would use a data-driven approach to benefit more of its students and help guide them to better careers. McVey said he’s using what he learned from the Strategic Enrollment Planning Conference.