New Mexico Higher Education Department Thanks Voters For Approving GO Bond 3

Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez

NMHED News:

          • UNM-LA will receive $1.3 million for improvements to access control systems, lighting, HVAC, roofing, building facades and installation of solar panels.

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) thanks New Mexico voters for approving General Obligation Bond 3 authorizing the sale and issuance of $215.9 million in bonds to fund improvements to facilities at college and university campuses and the state’s three special schools. 

More than 60 percent of New Mexico voters supported the bond question during the November 2022 general election, which will enable critical infrastructure repair and improvement projects to proceed at 23 public and tribal college campuses, the New Mexico School for the Deaf, and the New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

Projects funded by the bond authorization are estimated to create more than 2,000 jobs statewide and will not raise taxes. 

“From advocating for tuition-free college to voting yes on universal pre-K and funding for instructional facilities, New Mexicans have shown year after year that they support investing in education at every level,” Higher Education Secretary Stephanie M. Rodriguez said. “The passage of GO Bond 3 for Higher Education and Amendment 1 for Early Childhood Education will help our state continue to make meaningful progress in education and return these investments many times over in the future.”  

Key projects funded by GO Bond 3 include renewal of the Children’s Psychiatric Center at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and investments in instructional spaces for trades education at Central New Mexico Community College, Navajo Technical University, and New Mexico Junior College.  

“The New Mexico Higher Education Department is grateful to the voters of New Mexico for their support of Higher Education Bond 3. This funding supports renovations and upgrades to facilities and infrastructure, all necessary components in providing for a safe, state-of-the-art learning environment for New Mexicans throughout the state,” said Higher Education Capital Projects Director Gerald Hoehne. 

“It’s absolutely essential that General Obligation Bonds pass in order to fund the capital outlay needs of higher education institutions in New Mexico, including the medical facilities at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and the agricultural facilities at New Mexico State University,” said Higher Education Capital Outlay Committee Chair Dr. Gerald Burke.

The New Mexico Higher Education Department oversees and approves all capital projects and construction at the state’s public colleges, universities and special schools and recommended the projects to be funded via the GO Bond. The recommendations follow an extensive review process led by the agency to evaluate and prioritize projects by highest area of need and quality of the proposal. The projects will address critical health and safety issues, ensure campuses are ADA and code compliant, and preserve aging campus facilities statewide, while others will provide necessary equipment and facilities to support instruction, research, and workforce training.  

“We always appreciate the way New Mexico voters support higher education. They realize that our students need and deserve excellent facilities. The passage of the GO Bond happens because of the joint efforts of our schools and our citizens. We are grateful for their cooperation and support,” said Ronnie Birdsong and Dr. Steven Gamble, cochairs of the GO Bonds for Education Committee.  

The following projects will be funded by GO Bond 3 for Higher Education in 2023:  

  • Clovis Community College will receive $1.7 million to upgrade campus-wide infrastructure. This includes fixing drainage issues and upgrading parking lots and creating a more welcoming environment for students;
  • Central New Mexico Community College will receive $15 million for a new trades and applied technology facility;
  • Doña Ana Community College will receive $1.3 million for roof replacement and to plan and design needed infrastructure improvements;
  • Diné College will receive $5 million for a new student services facility on the south Shiprock campus;
  • Eastern New Mexico University will receive $9 million for a new student academic services building; 
  • Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell will receive $2.4 million to install fire suppression systems in three buildings on campus; 
  • Luna Community College will receive $1.5 million for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning replacements, infrastructure improvements, and ADA compliance upgrades;
  • Navajo Technical University will receive $4 million to plan, design, construct, and furnish a trades building at the Crownpoint campus;
  • New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology will receive $3.3 million to continue construction on a building to replace Kelly Hall laboratories and $5 million to support infrastructure upgrades at the Playas Research and Training Center in Hidalgo County;
  • New Mexico Highlands University will receive $4.5 million to plan, design, construct, furnish and equip a new facilities building at its Las Vegas campus;
  • New Mexico Junior College will receive $2.1 million for a new vocational trades building;
  • New Mexico Military Institute will receive $4 million to expand Bates Dining Hall;
  • New Mexico School for the Blind and Visually Impaired will receive $4 million for a residential cottage;  
  • New Mexico School for the Deaf will receive $1.4 million for infrastructure upgrades at its preschool facility in Albuquerque;
  • New Mexico State University will receive $48.5 million for the replacement of the Thomas and Brown Hall engineering building, improvements to O’Donnell Hall and the Health and Social Services Building, and expansion of the Nursing Skills and Simulation Center;
  • New Mexico State University-Grants will receive $1.2 million for improvements to Martinez Hall, the main building on campus;
  • Northern New Mexico College will receive $3 million to improve parking lots and roads at the Española and El Rito campuses;
  • San Juan College will receive $3 million for information technology infrastructure upgrades; 
  • Santa Fe Community College will receive $2.3 million for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning replacements;
  • The University of New Mexico will receive $45 million for a center for collaborative art and technology;
  • The University of New Mexico-Gallup will receive $3 million for the renovation of Gurley Hall;
  • The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center will receive $36 million to renew the Children’s Psychiatric Center;
  • The University of New Mexico-Los Alamos will receive $1.3 million for improvements to access control systems, lighting, HVAC, roofing, building facades, and installation of solar panels;
  • The University of New Mexico-Taos will receive $3 million for improvements to the Fred Peralta Hall arts building; and
  • Western New Mexico University will receive $2 million for renovations and upgrades to the historic Graham Gym and road improvements to Old James Road. They will also receive $2 million for completion of the new Deming Learning Center.

For information on how GO Bond 3 will impact New Mexico, visit www.bond3fornm.com.

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