Garcia: I just want my privileges returned

Editor,

With regard to the December 5 Lobo article, “Garcia Wants to Return to Campus” I would like to offer a few comments.

First, the article contains an erroneous statement that I and others “managed” the website (Southwest Companions) and were involved in “running” it. This is absolutely false. Mr. Flory was the sole owner, manager and operator of the site.

Second, I do not “want to return to campus.” Even if my “temporary suspension” were lifted, I would not plan to spend much, if any, time physically on the campus or its facilities (such as Popejoy Hall, the Pit etc). I hope that allays the fears of Schmidly, Frank and anyone else. I would, however, like to have most of the privileges of an alumnus and a professor emeritus returned.

Third, from his statements in the article, it is very evident that President Frank has a very negative bias against me. What specific negative impact would occur if the “temporary suspension” was lifted?

Apparently, President Frank feels that my issuing a public apology for my uncharacteristic behavior somehow deeply damaged what he describes as “an institution that serves young men and women.”

If the “temporary suspension” were to be lifted, I would not ask for an office or a teaching position, but the edict by ex-President Schmidly that I should not have the rights of any other person to freely be on the campus or at any of UNM’s facilities seems unduly harsh and unnecessary. What danger do I pose, or have I posed, to anyone or anything at a university to which I served devotedly without any blemish on my record for forty years?

Given the obvious prejudicial negative attitude of President Frank towards me, I do not plan to request the lifting of my banishment and “temporary suspension” anytime in the near future.

Finally, I would like to convey my best wishes for a happy holiday season to the good people of the University community.

F. Chris Garcia
Professor Emeritus