House approves $3M for UNM‑Gallup after Gallup‑McKinley Day push

The New Mexico House of Representatives approved the general obligation bonds bill HB 248 on Feb. 14, including a $3 million allocation for UNM‑Gallup to renovate the north wing of Calvin Hall Center for upgraded science classrooms and labs, and the bill was sent to the Senate Finance Committee on Feb. 15. Chancellor Dr. Sabrina Ezzell presented the branch campus’ request as its primary capital ask during early February advocacy in Santa Fe.

UNM‑Gallup staged a visible day at the New Mexico Legislature in early February to highlight Gallup and McKinley County priorities. "What happened: University of New Mexico‑Gallup staged a visible day at the New Mexico Legislature this month to highlight Gallup and McKinley County priorities - a push that combined cultural promotion with concrete requests for capital and program money. UNM‑Gallup faculty, students and administrat" appears in the campus account of those activities, reflecting the delegation’s combined focus on community celebration and specific funding needs.

Chancellor Ezzell framed the outreach as part of the campus’ strategic planning work. "UNM‑Gallup’s participation in Gallup‑McKinley County Day is one of many ways the branch campus works toward achieving our strategic planning goal of advancing our communities," Ezzell said, tying the $3 million GO bond request to broader goals for Gallup and McKinley County.

Ezzell also credited recent state funding that supports workforce and family stability on campus, thanking Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for Government Results and Opportunity funding for UNM‑Gallup’s Community Education & Workforce Development program and for early childhood funding that offsets daycare costs for students and employees. "All of those efforts have made significant contributions to our whole state, especially our UNM‑Gallup students and our community," Ezzell said, highlighting program-level investments alongside the capital request.

The Calvin Hall Center renovation was identified in campus materials as the branch campus’ "big ask" for the session, aimed at expanding science classes by renovating classrooms and labs in the north wing. With the Legislature nearing the end of its 30‑day session and focus concentrated on the state budget, HB 248’s passage in the House represents a concrete step toward the project. The bill now sits with the Senate Finance Committee as advocates from UNM‑Gallup and Gallup‑McKinley County await committee action that will determine whether the $3 million moves toward planning and renovation for the campus’ science facilities.