By J.T. Keith
Eastern New Mexico University student voices have been heard. In a landslide, students have voted to help fund a new stadium on campus.
Eighty-three percent of the 1,275 full-time students who voted October 2-4 voted “yes” to increase student fees. The results were announced at Friday night’s bonfire pep rally.
Justin Aguilar, ENMU’s student body president, said that the “yes” vote was good for the university.
“It was a landslide for one. Eighty-three percent in favor with only 17 percent against,” he said. “The students said what they had to say. They are in favor of it. Now Eastern can move forward. We are excited about it.”
Full-time students will pay an additional $40 per semester for the next 30 years, and part-time students will pay an addition $3.33 per semester credit hour.
In the near future, a new multipurpose football stadium will sit on the grounds across the street from Greyhound Arena.
Plans are being discussed to open the new stadium in the fall of 2015, replacing the 45-year- old stadium at Blackwater Draw. The new stadium will house ENMU and Portales High School football games, track-and-field meets, marching band practices and performances, and intramural sports.
“I think it is fantastic, and the way that it passed—83 percent of the students voted in favor for it,” said Draco Miller, director of campus life. “I think it is a long time coming for Eastern. Of course, I am biased guy. I played here and coached here. I am so ecstatic for the students; they are the ones who voted for it.”
Now that the student vote has passed, President Steven Gamble begins the hard work of securing the remainder of the stadium funding. Students will foot $4 million of the $8 million construction costs. The Eastern New Mexico Foundation will pay $3 million, and an addition $1 million will be requested from the Portales School District.