HOUSE BILL 461

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

INTRODUCED BY

Nick L. Salazar

AN ACT

RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION; CHANGING THE NAME OF NORTHERN NEW MEXICO STATE SCHOOL FOR COMMON CONVENIENCE; REMOVING THE TWO-YEAR LIMIT ON ACCREDITED COLLEGE LEVEL ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION TO RESTORE ITS ORIGINAL CONSTITUTIONAL MISSION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. Section 21-4-1 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1909, Chapter 97, Section 2, as amended) is amended to read:

     "21-4-1. MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF [SPANISH AMERICAN SCHOOL] NORTHERN NEW MEXICO COLLEGE.--The management and control of the [Spanish American] northern New Mexico state school at El Rito, also known as northern New Mexico college, and the appointment, qualification, powers and duties of its board of regents shall be the same as provided in Article [XII] 12, Section 13 of the constitution of New Mexico for the other state educational institutions mentioned in Article [XII] 12, Section 11 of the constitution of New Mexico."

     Section 2. Section 21-4-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1947, Chapter 97, Section 1, as amended) is amended to read:

     "21-4-2. USE OF NAME "NORTHERN NEW MEXICO [STATE SCHOOL] COLLEGE" FOR COMMON CONVENIENCE.--Except for financial transactions, the use of the name northern New Mexico [state school] college is hereby permitted in lieu of [the Spanish-American school at El Rito] northern New Mexico state school, for common convenience."

     Section 3. Section 21-4-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1909, Chapter 97, Section 3, as amended) is amended to read:

     "21-4-3. NORTHERN NEW MEXICO [STATE SCHOOL] COLLEGE--PURPOSE OF INSTRUCTION--ACADEMIC COURSES--BOARDING OF STUDENTS.--

          A. The courses of instruction at northern New Mexico [state school at El Rito] college shall:

                (1) meet the needs of young people of New Mexico who cannot be served adequately by the local public schools in their home communities;

                (2) prepare technical and trade students for occupations and vocations that are useful and necessary in the economy of New Mexico; and

                (3) provide academic, technical and vocational instruction beyond the high school level and [in the event that the university of New Mexico northern branch is dissolved, may in addition provide not more than two years of] accredited college level academic instruction [at those areas presently served by the university of New Mexico northern branch and by the northern New Mexico state school, except as provided in Subsection D of this section].

          B. The board of regents of northern New Mexico [state school is authorized to] college may provide quarters for the boarding of resident students.

          C. Nothing in this section shall preclude the university of New Mexico from continuing to provide upper college level and graduate courses in any areas in which such courses were being offered prior to January 1, 1977.

          D. The board of regents of northern New Mexico [state school is authorized to] college may develop, implement and seek accreditation for a baccalaureate degree program in teacher education [for the Espanola campus. The program shall be authorized when the board of regents certifies that the baccalaureate degree program in teacher education:

                (1) has been developed and is ready for implementation; and

                (2) is ready to receive the accreditation review team from the appropriate accrediting agency. In the development of the program, northern New Mexico state school shall engage in a partnership with New Mexico highlands university, an educational institution that is sensitive to the socio-cultural conditions of the region and that is prepared to offer collaborative programs to support the critical higher education needs of the students in north central New Mexico]."

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