Thread by @annalisemporter

I'm a @UNMwater grad student, and anyone who knows me knows how much I love this incredible program.

Because of the loyalty I feel to it, I'm going to take some time here to communicate my disappointment in a public stance our new leadership has taken. #nmwater
1/10

Two weeks ago, Scott Verhines, the new director of @UNMwater, co-authored a letter in the @ABQJournal. The letter was in opposition to this legislative session's House Bill 83, which would have expanded the qualification requirements for NM's State Engineer. 2/10

Dr. Verhines and Dr. Thomson were clear in stating only licensed Professional Engineers should hold the position. They framed much of their reasoning around ethics, suggesting other professions don’t have the same capacity to make ethical decision-making. 3/10

Our program (WRP) is incredibly interdisciplinary - that's its whole sales pitch. Most students aren't engineers. I don't believe this impacts our ability to be ethical/intelligent. I can think of many non-engineers who've made great contributions to water management. 4/10

If Dr. Verhines and Dr. Thomson believe only engineers can, that's within their right. But it's confusing and hurtful that they would take that stance *so* publicly, while being the purported mentors of a student body of non-engineers. 5/10

It makes me realize the goal of the program and the ethos of some of its leaders are on two vastly different pages. That disconnect is now painfully apparent, and I'm not sure how it can be reconciled. 6/10

I deeply cherish the WRP. I’ve felt strongly about water issues since I was a kid, and struggled to know how I could contribute since I didn't feel a spark for engineering specifically. @UNMwater made me realize I can make a real difference regardless. 7/10

Now I find myself questioning that. Have I poured everything (no water pun intended) into an institution that now thinks I don't bring value to the table because I don't have a piece of paper that says I took a class and passed a test on how to be ethical? 8/10

My morale, and the morale of some of my student peers, is suffering right now. I'm sad and feeling betrayed by something in which I have been deeply invested. I hope we can get back to feeling hopeful, encouraged, motivated, and like students & faculty are on the same team. 9/10

I started this thread with how much I've loved my time at @UNMwater, and I'll end with that too because it's the framework in which I'm communicating all of this. The WRP has given me a lot, personally and career-wise. It holds great value. And I think its students do too. 10/10