N C N A

     In response to the 2008/09 Accreditation Report  from the Higher Learning Commission, the “Research Service Learning Class on Community Activism for Sustainable Living,” taught by American Studies Ph.D. candidate Andrew Marcum, and funded by community groups and residents, has produced the following report to be presented at the September 2009 meeting of the University of New Mexico Board of Regents. The Report includes:

•    A brief history of UNM's interaction with its neighbors (1987-2009); a series of interviews with neighbors (2009); and suggestions for UNM to work cooperatively with its neighbors.
•    Case studies illustrating how other colleges and universities have met the challenges of growth by interacting in a positive manner with the surrounding communities.
•    A report on public accountability and community engagement at UNM. (2007-2009)
•    A report on smart growth and sustainable development.
•    A report on the need to preserve the unique aspects of UNM architecture and landscape. (1908-2003)
•    Lessons learned from developments at Yale Park (1986).
•    A history of efforts to preserve the North Golf Course and the Barren Fairways (1942-2009).
•    Recommendations for reform of the Campus Development Advisory Committee, including greater participation—with voting privileges—for all neighborhoods affected by campus development

On Sunday, March 15th 2009, City Councilor Isaac Benton convened a meeting at the UNM Law School to discuss UNM's Master Plan with university officials, residents of the surrounding neighborhoods, and all concerned citizens.  It was a very dynamic meeting with many voices heard. 

A more detailed update about the meeting is coming soon, our YouTube channel will have complete video footage of the presentations and comments, and we have links to reference materials pertaining to the presentations.

Please click on the TV news images (3) to view some of the local broadcasts of the meeting.

NEW  Available for viewing:

 the revised draft Master Plan (3/15/09)

Albuquerque Journal
Saturday, March 14, 2009

N. Golf Course Future a Concern

By Martin Salazar
Journal Staff Writer

          Concerns about the future of the University of New Mexico's North Golf Course are once again rising to the surface as the university tries to come up with a master plan for its campus.
        A community meeting on the topic will be held from 2-4 p.m. Sunday in Room 2401 of the UNM Law School. City officials, residents and representatives from UNM are expected to attend.
        "I think it is important to point out that this is still (in) the input stage," UNM spokesman Benson Hendrix said. "The university will continue to respond to questions as they come up."
        Members of an organization called Neighbors For Greenspace are voicing concerns about the plan's potential impact on the golf course and on their neighborhoods.
        UNM has hired Dekker Perich Sabatini to develop the master plan, and representatives from the firm have been meeting with neighboring communities. The plan is still in draft form and has yet to be submitted to regents for approval.
        The plan envisions the North Golf Course remaining as reserve lands for UNM, according to Facilities Planning Director Mary Kenney. But the plan envisions 5.4 acres of the 8-acre barren fairways being used for an adult psychiatric hospital, observatory and parking.
        The existing two-mile jogging path would be moved from the AMAFCA channel to the west side of the golf course and then to Tucker.
        The plan, as it currently stands, also calls for a new road that would run from Mountain to additional parking facilities west of University.
        That has some people concerned.
        "Our community will be adversely affected by this new road," said Chal-Marie Lucero of the Santa Barbara/Martineztown neighborhood. "We are worried about the safety of our kids, and the impact this road will have on our neighborhood and our homes."

Senate Bill 70:  College Research Park Property Disposal
(sponsored by Senator Cisco McSorley)

SB 70 would have been an additional level of accountability for important public resources.  For example, the University of New Mexico considered selling the North UNM Golf Course for a paltry $1 Million dollars.  If SB 70 had been in place there would have been additional safeguards to protect it.  SB 70 would have been a small measure of sunshine to promote the public trust and preserve our community resources.  Alas, 30 senators voted against it.  We are very appreciative of the 8 senators who did support SB 70, and enormously grateful for Senator Cisco McSorley, the bill's sponsor.