This conversation has been edited and condensed.
Marc Saveedrea is the executive director of the New Mexico Council of University Presidents, a strategic policy development collaboration between seven of the state’s public universities. He has been working around the Roundhouse for 29 sessions he said during a recent interview.
What are you focused on in this legislative session?
We have a unified budget request, for all the four-year universities, community colleges and branch campuses of universities. The Council is focused on [money for] instruction in the general budget support for students, faculty and staff in the mission of the universities.
What positions before led you to the current lobbyist position you have now?
I worked for the Second Judicial District Court as a budget analyst.
How do you reach across the aisle and negotiate?
It’s working with the legislators, the Secretary of Higher Ed and the governor’s office, making them aware and educating them on the importance of what the funding does, whether it’s for student services, capital to support the construction of facilities, providing online services for our students, or helping with housing. And it’s making sure the universities are also on the same page when it comes to these priorities.
Are there initiatives you’re proud of that you’ve achieved for the universities?
Working with the governor and the Legislature and the Higher Education Department on allowing four-year university students to utilize the Opportunity Scholarship, along with the Lottery Scholarship, that pays for 100% of their tuition and mandatory fees is one of the things I’m most proud of.
Are there any initiatives you have for helping teachers?
I think one of our top requests is that we asked for a 4% compensation increase in our budget request. And so far, the legislative finance committee recommended a 4% increase for compensation. That compensation is for faculty and staff at our institution. And so in every year, that’s one of our top priorities, is compensation for faculty and staff, also for health benefits. We’re also asking for an increase in our health benefits that may go up, whether it’s our risk management health benefits. And so there’s a recommendation by the listed finance committee to support increase in health benefits. Those two things, for example, help support faculty and staff when it comes to their compensation and their health as well.
Is there’s a difference between lobbying in New Mexico and other states?
I’ve never lobbied in another state. This is my 29th session [in New Mexico] and what I appreciate about this Legislature is how open it is to the public. The chairs of these committees are always open to sitting down and talking about these things, [talking to] the governor’s office is a more open process than maybe in some other states
What are some misconceptions about the lobbying job that you think people might have?
I think people don’t see the advocacy side of what lobbyists are doing, how lobbyists are bringing awareness based on their clients’ concerns. Probably the strongest, most valuable lobbying group when it comes to higher education is the student governments, the student organizations. I usually tell them: You go up there, be honest, be direct, represent the students.
