It's common that lobbyists for various industries with business before the Legislature pay for parties, receptions meals and gifts for lawmakers during the session.

While that's true of the current session, a noncommercial interest also has been dropping some money on parties for legislators -- state universities.

Among the lobbyist reports that have been filed with the Secretary of State's Office in recent days, some of the most expensive events reported have been by groups associated with universities.

The biggest was a legislative reception at La Fonda on Jan. 30 put on by the Alumni Association for the University of New Mexico. The cost of the event was $11,220.

Joe Thompson, a former legislator who now lobbies for UNM, stressed that no tax money was spent on the reception. "The alumni association has been doing this for years."

Legislators and other state officials were only some of the invited guests. According to the report, UNM regents and various other university officials, plus those involved with the UNM Foundation and various faculty and government organizations, were invited.

Other university-related events reported by lobbyists include:

• A New Mexico State University alumni event at Bataan Memorial Museum on Jan. 27, which cost $4,481. Legislators as well as NMSU alumni and staff were invited. The night before, a dinner at Osteria d' Assisi costing $1,289 was held for legislative leaders, plus NMSU senior administration and regents. The reports were filed by university lobbyist Ricardo Rel, who couldn't be reached for comment Friday.

• A New Mexico Association of Community Colleges event on Jan. 31 at the Bull Ring cost $4,000 for community college presidents, legislators and staff. The association's lobbyist, Ty Trujillo, couldn't be reached for comment Friday.

• Late last month The New Mexican reported on a $6,051 "meet and greet" Jan. 18 at the Inn and Spa at Loretto, hosted by Eastern New Mexico University for legislators, their staff and university staff.

Other expenses by lobbyists reported in recent days include:

• Ski New Mexico spent $28,000 on a ski pass for all members of the Legislature on Jan. 24. The association of ski-area owners makes this gift to lawmakers every year. The passes are good for a limited visit to ski areas around the state. The individual passes are valued at $250 per legislator, which is the limit under the Gift Act that regulates presents bestowed upon lawmakers.

• The Associated Contractors of New Mexico on Jan. 29 paid $5,079 for dinner for the House Transportation Committee and legislative leaders at the Bull Ring.

• The New Mexico Automotive Dealers Association on Jan. 23 held a reception at the Inn and Spa at Loretto for legislators and guests, cabinet secretaries, the governor and lieutenant governor. The cost was $4,715.41

• The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 480 on Feb. 1 held a reception at The Pink Adobe for legislators, workers in the film industry and others who attended Film and Media Day at the Capitol. The cost was $2,863.

• David Roddy, lobbyist for the New Mexico Primary Care Association, paid $921 for 200 teddy bears for legislators and staff on Jan. 25.

In addition to gifts and social events, lobbyists must also report money spent on trying to convince the public to support or oppose legislation.

The Center for Civic Policy spent $2,804 on cards mailed to people in certain legislative districts. About half was for a recent mailer concerning education issues in the Legislature, while the rest was spent on a joint mailer about tax policies with the Southwest Organizing Project. That group reported spending $1,944 on the tax policy mailer.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com. Read his political blog at roundhouseroundup.com.