DAILY LOBO new mexico
Historical bro
monday
see page 22
August 20, 2012
The Independent Voice of UNM since 1895
GOP lobbyist’s emails show attempts to sway UNM by Nicole Perez
‘GET A GRIP ON THIS’
news@dailylobo.com With a flick of his pen, one member of the 2011 UNM Presidential Search Committee was no longer legally bound to the same confidentiality agreement other members of the committee had agreed to. GOP lobbyist Pat Rogers crossed out part of the agreement before signing it and went on to share emails between committee members with non-committee members. According to the University, he did nothing illegal. Rogers, who attended one search committee meeting as a member, received at least two emails from Vice President of Human Resources Helen Gonzales between Oct. 24 and Nov. 11, 2011. The emails said that the “A” and “B” candidates selected by the committee were posted on a secure website and ready for interviews on Dec. 2, 3 and 4, 2011. Rogers then forwarded these emails to Gov. Susana Martinez’s Chief of Staff Keith Gardner and political adviser Jay McCleskey, neither of whom were committee members. Every committee member signed a code of ethics at the first meeting, and one clause read: “I pledge not to disclose any information presented or discussed during search committee meetings with individuals who are not members of the committee.” But Rogers said the agreement was not worded correctly, because some of the material discussed in meetings was not confidential and
Last fall, GOP lobbyist Pat Rogers, a member of the search committee that selected UNM President Robert Frank, shared emails containing information about the search to non-committee members. Many of those non-committee members work for Gov. Susana Martinez. Those involved dispute whether Rogers’ actions were illegal, unethical, or perfectly fine. The University says Rogers did not break the law. Here are some of Rogers’ messages to Martinez staffers: From: Patrick J. Rogers Date: Friday, September 2, 2011 10:03 AM To: Kim.Ronquillo@state.nm.us; jay@mccleskeymedia.com; KGardner@susana2010.com Subject: RE: gov meeting with unm pres schmidly Kim---Yes, Schmidly is a lame duck Pres (his term is over next year) and he has lots of helpful info and experience that should be considered in the UNM search, private funding and fund-raising, etc. He has lots of national contacts and plans on retiring in NM. He could be lots of assistance to the Gov in the future. The Democrats in the Legislature will continue to try to run UNM, even in the absence of Richardson. Schmidly is not a Richardson or a Koch guy, and wants to move the U forward. He could also help root out some of the Richardson political hacks that are still hanging on, there at the U. A collection of people, Joe Thompson, David Harris, etc., have attempted to set up a meeting. It’s now time for the Gov and Schmidly to meet. I met with him last week and contacted Jay about setting up a meeting with the Gov and Schmidly. The Gov is going to have to make sure the next President is serious and capable. Schmidly can assist in that endeavor. A meeting would be a good idea. It is not an emergency, but a call to Schmidly’s office to say a meeting is coming would be a good idea. Treating Schmidly as good as possible as he exits is a much better signal to the next possible president. Thanks, Pat ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Patrick J. Rogers
Date: Monday, October 24, 2011 11:43 PM To: kjgatc@gmail.com; kgardner@susana2010.com; jay@mccleskeymedia.com Subject: FW: Presidential search interview dates - IMPORTANT You all going to get a grip on this? I had recommended you get Schmidly up to meet with the Gov. You are going to need someone besides Fortner on the Regents, to keep Koch from manipulating the process. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Patrick J. Rogers
Date: Saturday, November 12, 2011 7:20 AM To: Jay@mccleskeymedia.com; kgardner@susana2010.com; rmkcang@yahoo.com Subject: FW: New Presidential search information posted to secure website You boys need to get a grip on this process with Fortner, otherwise you are going to have Jamie Koch picking the next President.
see Rogers PAGE 7
Free ice cream, movie at ‘Welcome Back Days’ Annual event aims to unify community and prepare freshman for college by Svetlana Ozden news@dailylobo.com
Students will be greeted by plenty of entertainment during the first week of school with the help of “Welcome Back Days,” an event that aims to bring the Lobo community together at the beginning of every school year. The annual “Welcome Back Days” events last for a little over a week and began Friday with Friday Night Live, an event in the SUB that included casino games, Henna tattoos, karaoke and free food. The events will continue through the first week of school, ending Friday. “It’s been going on for well over 30 years and we usually have a great turnout,” UNM Student Activities Center Associate Director Ryan Lindquist said. “We get a great crowd every year, but the primary people surprised by it are the new students.” Lindquist said that the events are meant to help ease new and returning students back into school after summer break and provide access to information about the University.
Inside the
Daily Lobo volume 117
issue 2
Tuesday
Monday
UNM President’s Ice Cream Social
Safety, Health, Wellness and ROTC Day
University administrators will serve free ice cream near the bus stop by the duck pond south of the University House from noon to 1 p.m. The event will also include live music and information booths from various UNM schools and departments.
Safety, Health, Wellness and Recreation department representatives will have information booths by the duck pond. Students, staff and faculty members can listen to live music and get free food from noon to 1 p.m. Free massages, a climbing wall and piñatas are also included. The ROTC booth will be in the SUB Mall. Free Movie: “The Avengers,” at 8 p.m. in the SUB theater
Thursday
Wednesday
Women’s and Cultural Day & North Campus Welcome Back Day
Student Organization Day
Cultural entertainment will be provided at the duck pond throughout the day, and green chile stew from noon to 1. Information about ethnic, cultural and women’s center programs and departments will also be available. Free Movie: “The Avengers,” at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the SUB theater
Meet UNM’s student leaders and learn about student organizations at the duck pond. Listen to live music while ASUNM members serve free pizza and Pepsi from noon to 1 p.m. Free Movie: “The Avengers,” at 3:30 p.m. in the SUB theater
Friday
Community Service and Campus Employment Day University departments will set up a job fair for oncampus jobs north of Ortega Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Community organizations will be recruiting volunteers. Alumni will serve free hot dogs and Pepsi with live music from noon to 1 p.m.
Alumnae beatdown
Lightning strikes
See page 19
See page 24
TODAY
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