Former Governor and NMSU President, Garrey Carruthers, has penned a guest column calling for the independence of university boards in the selection of their presidents. Carruthers expressed concern over recent attempts by the Secretary of Higher Education to interfere in the presidential search process at NMSU, stating that such actions violate the state constitution.
Carruthers highlighted the importance of allowing university regents to fulfill their duty of selecting a president without outside influences or political pressure. He emphasized the safeguards in place in New Mexico to prevent undue influence over university governance, such as the confirmation of regents by the state senate and restrictions on the political makeup of boards.
The former governor also defended the current finalists for NMSU’s presidency, stating that they have been selected through a thorough process that included input from university stakeholders. He highlighted the diversity among the finalists and their commitment to serving underserved communities.
In conclusion, Carruthers called for a commitment to best practices in university governance and urged regents to continue their search for a president without interference. He emphasized the importance of allowing university boards to operate independently in order to ensure the success and integrity of higher education institutions in the state.
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