The president of the board of regents of the university of New Mexico shall preside at all meetings of the board, except that when the president is absent the board may appoint a president pro tem, and sign all instruments required to be executed by the board. The president shall appoint committees of the board. The secretary shall provide for attesting all instruments required to be signed by the president of the board, shall keep a true record of all the proceedings of the board and generally do all other things required of the secretary by the board.