University presidents want funding restored in New Mexico
New Mexico State University President Garrey Carruthers, a member of the council, said deep concern has spread across the state's higher education system since vetoes by Martinez resulted in the defunding of all state universities for the next year.
The Republican governor and the Democratic-controlled Legislature are locked in a standoff over the state budget, which funds all levels of education and other government services.
Highlands President Sam Minner and finance officials have been meeting with student government to talk about a possible increase.
According to university officials, higher education amounts to less than 13 percent of the state's overall spending, but the cuts to colleges and universities will represent more than two-fifths of the cuts being made to the entire state budget.