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Board approves $2.79 million emergency grant for Luna Community College student housing; one member dissents
Summary
The New Mexico State Board of Finance approved a $2,787,914 emergency grant to Luna Community College to install modular housing for up to 84 students; the vote passed with Member Joseph Lujan opposed amid concerns about use of the emergency fund and procurement timing.
The New Mexico State Board of Finance voted Jan. 15 to grant Luna Community College $2,787,914 to purchase and site modular housing units after New Mexico Highlands University could not accommodate Luna students.
Dr. Carol Linder, president of Luna Community College, told the board the request responds to an immediate student housing shortfall that left 52 students without campus housing this past fall. She said the college has secured temporary rooms at a motel but needs a longer-term interim solution and estimates the modular project will house 84 students. "Palomar could be a long-term solution if they were placed on a concrete foundation with other enhancements...they could last for 50 to 100 years," Linder said.
The college provided a line-item budget for the request: site preparation and anchoring $292,161; utility infrastructure $207,500; IT networking $88,206; purchase of Palomar modular units $1,916,525; and dorm furniture $283,522, totaling $2,787,914. Dr. Linder said the college has reserves and would cover unanticipated overruns if needed; she also reported the college is pursuing a $100,000 feasibility-study request to the Legislature for long-term housing planning.
Board members pressed the college on procurement and on whether the project should await a longer feasibility review. Member Paul Cassidy asked whether the board could approve partial funding now and release additional funds after site-preparation milestones; Director Ashley Leach said the board commits funding upfront but DFA releases reimbursements only after invoices are submitted and monthly progress updates are provided. Member Cassidy noted concern about tying up emergency funds for a large project and asked when the feasibility study would be completed. Dr. Linder replied the modular timeline is faster than permanent construction and that site-prep and utility work are the immediate gating items.
Member Joseph Lujan voted no, saying he would have preferred the college seek legislative funding for such a large draw on the emergency fund. Member Cassidy moved approval; Member Wendy Trevisani seconded. The motion passed with one dissent.
The board’s resolution conditions reimbursements on invoice submission and requires monthly updates on project progress and expenditures. The board did not specify a construction start date in its action; Dr. Linder said utilities and site engineering remain to be completed before modular units are placed.
Next steps: Luna Community College may begin site-preparation work and request reimbursements as invoices are submitted; the college also intends to pursue a legislative feasibility-study appropriation for longer-term housing planning.
