NMSU proposing $1.1 million to athletic department from academics fund

New Mexico State University is proposing transferring $1.1 million reserved for academics to the athletic department.

The university’s Athletic Review committee said in a memo the transfer of funds is needed to retain coaches by increasing salaries. The committee also believes the current athletics staff has managed to be successful despite working at a “bare bones” level.

NMSU athletics has garnered plenty of success on the playing field the past year and many believe the only way to sustain that is by investing into the department.

But, not everyone, including university staff, don’t agree with the transferring money from academics to athletics.

“Everyone is underpaid,” NMSU professor of economics Jim Peach said. “What they really need to do is some serious analysis. And that wasn’t done in the memo. It will also even if you gave $1.1 million to coaching staff that does not ensure coaching stability.”

The university’s board of regents will meet Tuesday, March 6 but it’s not know if this item will be disclosed because the agenda hasn’t been posted.