Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
The Higher Learning Commission placed Mesalands Community College on probation as expected, but the college’s president again expressed optimism its finances would be above water by the end of the fiscal year in late June.
The HLC awards accreditation to educational institutions in nearly 20 states. Mesalands interim president Allen Moss said HLC signaled months ago the college would be placed on probation.
That designation was made official by certified mail on March 5, with the HLC board stating the college was “out of compliance” for its accreditation criteria.
“It was noted we have made significant progress, however, the short amount of time, with many new to positions, lack of hard numbers to do accurate forecasting, etc., lent toward this decision,” Moss wrote in his report to the board of trustees before its March 12 meeting. “The main point to keep in mind is we are still working toward where we need to be.”
HLC will make another on-site visit to Meslands in September 2025, Moss said, and the college already has begun work on remedies.
“I have no doubt we will be in a good position before that time,” he wrote.
Moss told the board the HLC’s major concerns were the college’s financial projections, being behind on its budgets, the lack of training for the board of trustees, the lack of solid numbers on its offerings of programs and a lack of training or cross-training of its staff.
Regarding finances, Moss said updated numbers for January and February indicate the college is tentatively projected to be $120,000 “in the black” by the end of the fiscal year in June.
“I still think we’re heading in the right direction,” Moss said, adding that Mesalands’ cash balance remained high and is rising slightly.
In early 2023, Mesalands’ finances were so grim, it appeared the college might not make payroll. Emergency funds from the state and pay cuts kept the college afloat. The furor led to no-confidence votes against President Gregg Busch from the college’s executive staff, faculty senate and staff senate. Busch left town shorty after that and later submitted his resignation.
In other business:
— Josh McVey, vice president of student affairs, presented the spring enrollment report.
On-campus enrollment in spring 2024 fell to 157, from 232 the previous year. Dual enrollment also fell from 283 to 139. Enrollment at prisons rose from 268 to 289.
Total enrollment fell from 783 in spring 2023 to 589 in spring 2024, mostly due to cost cutting.
— The board approved a purchase requisition of $98,280 to the New Mexico Office of the State Auditor to complete the 2022 audit.
— The board approved moving future meetings to Room 606 in Building G. Board members were told the room, which was where meetings were held until about seven years ago, contained more technology and better sound.
— The board approve moving its next meeting from April 16 to April 30 to allow more time to complete the 2024-2025 budget.
— Moss announced rodeo coach Matt Hughes has taken a similar position in his native southwest Missouri. (See story in Sports.)
— McVey said a total of 466 students from 23 schools attended an FFA event on campus, which he described as “a big opportunity” for the college.
— Mark Martinez, executive director of operations and procurement, said it would probably be fall before repairs to roofs from last May’s hailstorm would be completed.