Schmidly should use his power to cultivate UNM's success

Editor,

I couldn't help but laugh when I picked up a Daily Lobo during finals week. I was late for my Economics final, but to see President David Schmidly's face of consternation was absolutely priceless. However bad a job he's doing, I can't help but empathize with the president despite his shortcomings.

To me, President Schmidly is much like a little puppet on strings who dances around at the regents' whim. Because of this, he has a relatively small amount of control in the grand scheme of things. When the regents say "sit," he very much sits. When the regents say "bark," he barks as loud as he can. And when the regents say "play dead," he puts on forums. After all, anyone who attended that meeting need have stayed only five minutes before realizing Schmidly was much like a helpless dog being scolded for urinating on the new rug - or more appropriately, urinating on the trust of UNM and its inhabitants.

I would like to label the president with the more adequate title of "scapegoat," but to do so would trivialize the power that he really has and, in turn, absolve him of his failures as our president. I would never do this, as he must be held responsible and accountable for his actions regardless of what he is told to do by his Board of Tycoons. It is possible that in disregarding the orders of his bosses, he may very well be fired. Well, to that I say good riddance, because as the president of this institution, there is and will always be a moral obligation to remain committed to the success of UNM as a whole - not to the sole success of student athletes and their careers, or to the financial gain of the higher-ups in administration. If our president does not have the backbone to do what is right for us, then he has no right to be the president of our University.

During the forum, I remember the president saying with confidence that he has done exactly as he said he would do upon assuming the presidency. I remember him saying that we need to build trust within the University. I remember him saying that he adamantly believed in the success of the students. I also remember him allocating $60 million toward The Pit during an unprecedented vacancy of faculty in numerous departments. I also remember the survey that showed an all-time low in morale throughout UNM. I also remember when he hired a head coach for the football team to the tune of $750,000. This is my future at stake, and you may preach trust, but actions speak louder than words. And, Mr. President, your actions have shown your allegiances. So if you would properly exercise the power you were granted in good faith, I, and the rest of the University, would be much obliged.

Matthew De La O

UNM student