On August 1, University of New Mexico (UNM) leaders held a briefing to update the community and media on campus safety initiatives and ongoing security investments. The event took place in the Student Union Building ballroom on UNM’s main campus.
President Garnett S. Stokes, Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Teresa Costantinidis, and Police Chief Joseph Silva spoke about steps being taken to improve safety for students, faculty, and staff as the new academic year approaches.
President Stokes addressed recent events affecting the campus community. “We take the safety of our campus very seriously,” said Stokes. “We continue to investigate and make improvements to ensure our students, faculty and staff feel safe on campus.” She also encouraged members of the university community to contact her office with feedback regarding safety concerns.
Costantinidis discussed the process behind policy changes. She stated that it takes “…thoughtful analysis to evaluate policies and practices to determine what needs to change to avoid tragedies. This work is underway right now.”
She listed several projects aimed at improving public safety across UNM campuses. These include installing new security fences around residence halls, upgrading Code Blue emergency phones with better lighting, expanding outdoor lighting in areas such as parking lots, transitioning more buildings to key card access for authorized entry only, and enhancing the university’s alert system for rapid communication during emergencies.
Chief Silva highlighted UNM’s zero-tolerance policy on firearms. He urged vigilance among students and staff: “if you see something, say something.” His department is developing educational policies so students know what signs to look for in potential threat scenarios.
Stokes noted that annual training modules are available for all members of the UNM community covering topics such as active shooter response and sexual harassment prevention.
She also mentioned that anyone in Albuquerque can sign up for Lobo Alert notifications about campus activity.
“Since I started with the university, I have been looking at strategic ways to invest beyond the campus boundaries that directly impact our campus,” said Stokes. One example cited was UNM’s purchase of a former Motel 6 property on Avenida Cesar Chavez, which will be redeveloped as an entrance point for South Campus.
University officials reiterated their commitment to creating a secure environment through continued investment in safety measures and transparent communication with stakeholders. While details about a recent shooting remain limited due to an ongoing investigation, leadership expressed confidence in current review processes intended to strengthen emergency response protocols.
