Editor,
For the first time in 35 years UNM hasn’t had an increase in tuition or fees, and we are grateful to work with Regents who actively listen to students and are responsive to the realities of New Mexican families.
Yet GPSA’s advocacy work would not have been completed without safeguarding the Student Fee Review Board (SFRB) process — a student-led initiative that has existed for more than 28 years to make recommendations on the amount students pay in fees.
As many of you know, on April 17 UNM President Robert Frank made public his intention to remove the Athletics department and University Libraries from the purview of students.
However, less than 2 hours before the Regents’ meeting last Friday, Dr. Frank contacted student leadership to communicate his decision not to make any changes on the structure of this Board for the next two years.
We applaud Dr. Frank for taking a more comprehensive approach that will allow for community and student input on possible improvements in the functioning of this body.
As many of us are graduating, forging our paths into life after academia, we must remember that we are never too old to listen to the advice of our mothers.
My mother always advised that it was never too late to do the right thing. And, while there has been quite a bit of back-and-forth on this issue with President Frank, it takes a great leader to revisit a decision and respond to his community accordingly.
The GPSA’s, ASUNM’s, OurUNM’s, faculty’s, Staff’s and the Regents’ work on this effort demonstrates the power of collaboration and the continued importance of the students’ voice in these issues.
On Friday the University of New Mexico sent a strong message about our priorities and values, and I couldn’t be prouder to be part of such a great community.
Advocacy works when we stand together.
Priscila Poliana
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GPSA President, 2013-14
