On January 9, the New Mexico Department of Justice took legal action against Western New Mexico University (WNMU) for allegedly refusing to provide documents. The Department modified a temporary restraining order to prevent outgoing President Joseph Shepard from spending his $2 million severance package. Attorney General Raúl Torrez criticized the greed and mismanagement of WNMU’s Board of Regents and Shepard. The recent Board of Regents meeting only had Shepard and a former student regent present, with the student regent also serving as the board’s secretary/treasurer.
Torrez filed a civil complaint against the Board of Regents for various violations, including breaching fiduciary duties and violating state laws. A hearing is scheduled for January 13. The Department of Justice is investigating the severance package disbursement process and may charge the student regent if necessary. In response to this case, the Department is proposing a legislative package to change the selection process for public university regents.
New Mexico Speaker of the House Javier Martinez emphasized the importance of safeguarding public funds and ensuring that no one is above the law. The upcoming legislative session will address the issue of political appointments to governance boards of public institutions of higher education. As of January 9, no legislation has been pre-filed, but legislators have until January 17 to do so. This case highlights the need for transparency and accountability in university governance.
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Photo credit nmpoliticalreport.com
