Mesalands Community College President Dr. Gregory T. Busch
From Mesalands Community College:
Mesalands Community College, Chief Executive staff voted “no confidence” on Mesalands Community College President Dr. Gregory T. Busch.
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023, the Chief Executive staff held a vote of “no confidence” on Dr. Gregory T. Busch, president of Mesalands Community College. The vote was unanimous in favor of ‘no confidence’.
It is for the benefit of the students, staff and faculty this vote took place. Mesalands Community College reported significant financial hardships and is in the process of determining what kinds of emergency measures can be taken to improve solvency and keep the school on a sustainable financial footing.
The College has been in communication with the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) and the New Mexico Higher Education Department (HED). The Chief Executive staff have been working tirelessly to create a financial solvency plan. The plan requires an emergency meeting with the Board of Trustees, which has stalled.
The Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) directed Dr. Busch to call an emergency Board of Trustees meeting, a request not yet completed at the posting of this release.
The Chief Executive staff were forbidden to communicate with the Board of Trustees under penalty of termination. Appeals for a ‘town hall’ meeting or transparent communication with staff and faculty were made but denied by Dr. Busch. He communicated the Board of Trustees would fire any who held such a meeting. The no confidence vote sighted an inability to communicate to the College and the community about the College’s financial situation.
The New Mexico Higher Education Department (HED) sent the following communication to the College:
January 18, 2023, New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) placed “. . . MCC under the Enhanced Fiscal Oversight Program (EFOP).
The designation is a result of the following risk factors as defined within the NMAC:
- Inadequate Financial Control System
- Weakened Unrestricted Cash Position
- Outstanding Audits (FY21 and FY22)
- Failure to Comply with Law or Regulation Related to Capital Projects
- Request for Advanced State Funding or Emergency Loan”
In response, Dr. Busch forwarded the email communication and letter to the Chief Executive staff with strict instruction, “…this is to remain confidential…” Appeals were made to communicate with staff and faculty, all requests were denied.
The College has spent 150 percent over the allotted appropriations, against the requests of multiple Chief Financial Officers.
It is for these reasons the Chief Executive team held and passed a unanimous vote of “no confidence” for President, Dr. Gregory T. Busch. It is also for these reasons the Chief Executive team have determined to hold a meeting of staff and faculty at the risk of termination.
Mesalands Community College has had a history of high completion rates and a reputation for leading the way in student success. The Chief Executive staff believe the College can recover from these unfortunate setbacks with hard work and sacrifice for the benefit of the students.
Letter from New Mexico Higher Education Department:
