Legislators should prioritize funding for UNM

THERE ARE three elements to the mission statement of the University of New Mexico: to educate students, to disseminate knowledge promoting economic development, and to provide services directly to the city and state. These elements ought to help legislators establish funding priorities for our flagship university. Rather than micromanaging the athletic department by providing funds for teams university leaders already decided are unsustainable, the Legislature should look to fund new programs consistent with UNM’s mission, might enhance its reputation and will strengthen our state’s economic health.

The Albuquerque Journal recently reported on the work of New Space New Mexico (“Report: NM could be a leader in commercial space industry,” Feb. 8) to leverage our state’s unique advantages to achieve a leadership position in the rapidly growing commercial space industry. Perhaps the Legislature should rise to a strategic level, listen to the priorities of university leaders, and figure out ways to establish and fund research and development that will produce economic growth.

New Space New Mexico proposes establishing a New Mexico Space Council to nurture indigenous space industry. The Legislature should support this. Moreover, the Legislature should work with UNM leaders to establish a department of aerospace engineering to educate students and prepare them for careers in our state’s growing ecosystem of new space companies. ROBERT E. PETERKIN Albuquerque