HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 50

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2005

INTRODUCED BY

Miguel P. Garcia

A JOINT MEMORIAL

URGING THE PRESIDENT AND THE BOARD OF REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FUNDING OF EL CENTRO DE LA RAZA AND ITS IMPORTANT ETHNIC, CIVIC, ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, the legislature celebrates and supports New Mexico's diversity and acknowledges that ethnic and racial diversity contributes to academic excellence and enhances classroom discourse; and

     WHEREAS, el centro de la raza has been on the university of New Mexico campus for thirty-five years serving the interests and aspirations of the Hispanic student population; and

     WHEREAS, although el centro de la raza has experienced two consecutive budget cuts, it has continued to serve over three thousand Hispanic students annually and an increasing number every year; and

     WHEREAS, el centro de la raza has participated in and has received top ratings on three commission on higher education evaluations and demonstrated increases in retention and improved grade point averages; and

     WHEREAS, the university of New Mexico graduates more Hispanic students than any other university in the state, and has one of the highest enrollments of Hispanic students at a four-year institution in the nation; and

     WHEREAS, the university of New Mexico receives federal funding through the United States department of education exclusively for Hispanic students because of its status as an Hispanic-serving institution; and

     WHEREAS, tuition pays for services available to all people;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that el centro de la raza is a viable service essential to the success of and retention of Hispanic students at the university of New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that ethnic-, culture-, minority- and gender-based civic and social student services are critical to achieving the academic mission at the university of New Mexico in preparing New Mexicans for the future; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the university of New Mexico provide a stable commitment to its successful programs; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be provided to the president of the university of New Mexico, the board of regents of the university of New Mexico and the governor of the state of New Mexico.

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