Editor,
The Daily Lobo article last week on UNM challenging water fines was rather enlightening. Contrary to what the director of Physical Plant says, I have noticed frequent water waste on this campus since I began working here, not just "on occasion," as she claims. One need only walk along the sidewalk on the south side of Las Lomas behind Dane Smith Hall - you will see several discolored impressions in the sidewalk, caused by puddles from the daily watering.
I thought of reporting this violation to the city, but I wondered if UNM felt it had to legally comply. Now we have the answer.
I am sure UNM attorneys could argue in court that a local ordinance does not apply to UNM, as it is on state land, but is this what UNM wants to do? Has UNM considered that the local citizens could construe such an attitude as arrogance? UNM certainly relies on public support as it regularly asks the voters for approval of bonds.
According to the University's annual report, public responsibility is one of UNM's strategic directions. In that spirit, I will certainly not hesitate to report the next incidence of water waste that I see on the UNM campus.
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Lawrence Compton
UNM staff
