ALBUQUERQUE – State Auditor Tim Keller released a special audit of the University of New Mexico Athletics Department and its related institutions including the UNM Foundation and the Lobo Club Nov. 10. The Office of the State Auditor initiated the audit in May after receiving multiple complaints from concerned citizens.

The audit reviews transactions from July 2014 through June 2017 and finds a structure lacking adequate transparency and accountability for financial decisions; and makes recommendations for improving financial accountability and oversight.

“A tangled web of transactions has made it difficult for the public, and even some of the financial staff at the University, to be able to decipher what is going on in the Athletics Department and the various supporting organizations,” Keller stated. “Decades of decentralization and the maze of structures has clouded financial transparency at our flagship university. This structure has historically allowed boards and management to defuse direct responsibility when it comes to important issues. We appreciate the University’s recognition of the problems we’ve highlighted and for their stated desire to get things fixed.”

The special audit contains 10 findings and highlights systemic problems, including:

• ·       Money mismanagement. A lack of financial controls and confusion about responsibilities among staff and entities resulted in the University spending considerable effort to recover money lost through poor management.

o   Over $432,000 in uncollected revenue from luxury suites and club suites at Dreamstyle Arena (the Pit), for over half of which UNM had issued no contracts or invoices (over $238,000 of which remained uncollected as of September); over $250,000 in uncollected revenue from a contract with Lobo Sports Properties, LLC (a subsidiary of Learfield Communications); and $185,000 in overpayments to coaches which needed to be recouped.

• ·       Problematic “perks.” The audit identified a range of problems with perks.

o   Booster clubs and the Lobo Club raised money that should not have been commingled with public funds. These funds were used for meals and alcohol, hotels, golf outings such as the UNM Scotland Golf Tour, and other uses that should have been purchased with Foundation funds but are not an appropriate use of public funds. The lack of clear policy and sources of funds leads to an appearance of impropriety at best and violations of the anti-donation clause of the New Mexico constitution at worst.

o   The audit identified 23 recipients of perks who had not made any monetary contributions to UNM or its related entities. Giveaways or disproportionate perks create a lack of confidence among donors, students, and the public.

• ·       No clear lines of accountability.

o   The Lobo Club, and dozens of similar organizations lack a requirement for a treasurer position, a vital best practice; the Athletics Department has not had a Financial Officer for the majority of the past five years; UNM has combined the following roles into one position: Executive Vice President for Administration, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer (EVP/CFO/COO); and, a lack of clarity about UNM’s Internal Audit communications to UNM’s EVP/CFO/COO instead of reporting solely to the President and Regents as intended. 

• ·       Circular flow of money. Funds flowing back and forth between organizations make individual accountability for financial decisions nearly impossible.

A new school is now open for pre-school aged students at the Indian Hills Elementary School in east Gallup who are deaf and hard of hearing.

The new school opened on Nov. 6, as officials for the New Mexico School for the Deaf, and officials from Gallup McKinley County Schools were joined by faculty, parents, and community members for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“No deaf child is to be left alone,” Dr. Rosemary Gallegos said to the audience of more than 50 at the dedication.  “I thank the early intervention staff, the school district, and Indian Hills elementary staff.”

As the ribbon was cut by a preschool student joined by Gallegos and Charles Long, president of the Gallup McKinley County Schools Board of Education, the audience applauded. However, the usual sounds of claps were instead replaced with hands extended straight up with a waving motion, the American Sign Language signage showing applause.

“We are teaching another language and communication,” Gallegos said.

The new preschool will use a bilingual approach in education – written or spoken English and ASL. It is the most accessible way for children who are deaf and hard of hearing to learn.

“It’s very hard for me to think of this type of education,” Long said.  “I want to learn ASL,” drawing applause from the gathering.  “The school for the deaf is officially open.”

Kari-Lynn McBride, public relations director for NMSD, said the proper terms for the hearing challenged are: Deaf and hard of hearing.

“Hearing impaired is not used in the deaf community,” she said. “It implies that they are broken.”

Gallup is the fifth site chosen by the NMSD for a preschool for the deaf and hard of hearing. Other locations include Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Farmington, and Las Cruces.

“We look at numbers of children who are of pre-school age,” Gallegos said, who serves as superintendent for NMSD.  “We have early intervention through our parent, infant, and child program.”

Enrollment at the new school was successfully achieved by the Early Intervention and Involvement Department, a statewide agency.  It is a program that assists in identifying children who are deaf and hard of hearing at an age as early as six months old.

Since April, the NMSD has worked with the Gallup McKinley County Schools and New Mexico Public Education Department to make the determination on whether Gallup would be an idea location for a new school.

The superintendent and school board approval were obtained over the Summer months.

Gallagos noted that it was a smooth transition.

“Scott took over and did the follow up meetings and did everything the district asked for,” Gallegos said of Scott Mohan, principal for NMSD’s early childhood, elementary, and satellite programs.

Once the students turn five and advance into elementary school, the school might expand or place the students on an IEP. An IEP is an Individualized Education Plan usually used for students who are gifted and talented or those with special needs in education.

“We will have to revisit for each child,” Gallegos said.  “Another option is for students is to attend the school for the deaf in Santa Fé. Onsite home cottages are available for students living and housing.”

Funding for the new preschool for the deaf and hard of hearing is shared between the school district and NMSD.  Other costs are eligible for reimbursement through the state Public Education Department.

Funding for NMSD comes from annual state appropriations. The NMSD is special state school, similar to the school for the blind.  Other funding for the school comes through the land and permanent fund beneficiary state designation.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, statistics for the deaf and hard of hearing in New Mexico is at an estimate 3.1 percent.  Nearly 39,000 in New Mexico are deaf and hard of hearing.

A day following the ribbon-cutting ceremony the school began its preschool class with the enrollment of three students.

By Deswood Tome

Sun Correspondent

By Marilee Petranovich

UNM-G Public Relations

University of New Mexico Interim Provost Craig White is proud to announce the selection of Dr. James Malm as the new Chief Executive Officer for the UNM-Gallup Campus.  Dr. Malm will begin his position on November 13, 2017.  “I am very excited to welcome Dr. Malm as CEO of UNM-Gallup.  James’ broad experience and passion for community college education made him the consensus choice for the position,“ said White.  “I am confident he will be an outstanding leader in bringing together all those interested in the success of the institution.”

In accepting the offer to lead the Gallup campus, Dr. Malm said, “My wife Keli and I are delighted to accept UNM-Gallup’s invitation to become contributing members to our new community and home in Gallup.”

Dr. Malm’s most recent position was as Executive Vice President at Mohave Community College in Kingman, Arizona.  He currently has a faculty appointment at Colorado State University Global campus where he teaches graduate and undergraduate management courses.  In addition, he brings with him over 25 years of higher education instruction and administrative leadership experience at Penn State Harrisburg, Baltimore County Community College, Colorado State University Pueblo, and Laramie County Community College Albany County.  Dr. Malm earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Public Administration degrees from Penn State and a Doctor of Management from the University of Maryland University College.

In sharing his vision for the campus, Dr. Malm states, “There is so much good work we can continue to accomplish together as UNM-Gallup in the years ahead for the inter-generational and life changing educational benefits to the students we serve in Gallup and the greater region.  I’m honored to work along-side so many esteemed and dedicated faculty and staff in service to the greater communities of Gallup and the region.”

Funds secured for next five years

The Na Nihzhoozhi Center Inc. is one month into expanding its detoxification services at its headquarters on 2413 Boyd Ave., after receiving new funding.

In September, Congress appropriated $2 million in a specially designated grant for two towns with a high alcohol death rate.

“It started in February 2016, when Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., was here and brought with him the IHS director on a site visit,” Executive Director Dr. Kevin Foley said.  “He asked the IHS director to assist us on funding.”

Of the $2 million total appropriation, $1.5 million is designated specifically for Gallup, according to a U.S. Senate appropriation committee report addressing alcohol-related deaths.

The report reads, in part, “…to continue its assistance toward addressing this issue in the city of Gallup, New Mexico.”

White Clay, Neb., is the other town mentioned in the congressional appropriation report that received $500,000.

The congressional delegation in New Mexico, both Senators Udall and Martin Heinrich, D-NM, were joined by Congressman Ben Lujan, D-N.M., in announcing the grant.

“Senator Tom Udall, who is on the appropriations committee, was instrumental in securing funding for Gallup,” said Ned Adriance, Udall’s press secretary.

Udall is the minority leader on the Senate appropriations committee.

The congressional appropriation is made to the Indian Health Service.  The IHS headquarters in Rockville, Md., announced the grant opportunity on Sept. 27, in a cooperative agreement through a special designation known as Preventing Alcohol-Related Deaths or PARD for short.

The Gallup City Council approved the grant Oct. 10.

“This does not replace funding we already receive from the Gallup liquor excise tax and money from the state,” Foley said.

“This expands our service,” he said.  “We will expand the shelter program, increase our high risk through more case managers.  We will have new cooks, serve hot meals, and take individuals to job interviews and medical appointments.”

Less the recent cash injection, NCI receives $835,000 from the city through excise taxes.  They receive an additional $19,000 a month for their behavioral health investment zone program. The behavioral health investment zone money is due to end in June 2018, the end of the fiscal year.

The congressional appropriation will be made annually until the year 2022.

The belief with additional funding that the number of alcohol related deaths in Gallup will be reduced.

“A lot of it is out of our control,” Foley said.  “When they are brought to our center that’s when we begin our service,” he said of individuals who arrive at the center for detoxification services.

Most unattended alcohol related deaths occur to victims who suffer from exposure of low temperature weather. Other deaths occur from alcohol poisoning due to excessive alcohol use at once.

The Gallup Police Department uses Community Service Aid patrols to assist police in finding individuals in intoxicated conditions and transporting them to NCI.  In colder weather patrols are more frequent.

“We use open field patrols,” Gallup Police Dept. Capt. Marinda Spencer said.  “A community service aid will patrol arroyos, fields, and camps where people tend to gather.”

It’s especially crucial during the cold, winter months, where in seasons past about a dozen or so people have been found dead from exposure. And it’s usually because they fall asleep or pass out and succumb to the elements while intoxicated.

Chief of Police Phillip Hart authorized the purchase of an off-road vehicle, and added specialized equipment to conduct searches in hard to reach places.

“We look at maps where exposures have happened,” Spencer said.  “They (CSAs) cover as much ground as they can.  Patrols during the Fall and Winter months begin at 7 pm and continue until 3 am.

“We did not receive one in October,” Spencer said referring to alcohol related deaths as the new grant period began.

“We did have a female casualty last week on East Highway 66 that we initially thought was an exposure,” Spencer said.  “The body was reported on side of the road. We determined it was a hit and run.”

By Deswood Tome
Sun Correspondent