HOUSE BILL 741

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

INTRODUCED BY

Ben Lujan

AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR A STUDY OF THE EFFICACY OF CREATING A CENTER FOR GRADUATE STUDIES AND RESEARCH IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO.

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

     Section 1. APPROPRIATION.--

          A. One hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) is appropriated from the general fund to the board of regents of northern New Mexico state school for expenditure in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 to conduct a study on the efficacy of creating a center for graduate studies and research in northern New Mexico, in which universities offer graduate-level courses leading to master's and doctoral degrees. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2006 shall revert to the general fund.

          B. The study shall consider at least the following:

                (1) the need for offering off-campus programs leading to graduate degrees in northern New Mexico, including projected student enrollments and the potential area job market for graduates;

                (2) the fields of study for which there is demonstrated interest and the interest expressed by public post-secondary educational institutions to offer graduate-level course work at the center;

                (3) possible governance structures for the center;

                (4) operational and capital costs for the center and how programs would be funded through the higher education funding formula; and

                (5) whether other in-state and out-of-state post-secondary educational institutions should participate in offering graduate-level course work at the center.

          C. The board of regents of northern New Mexico state school shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature by December 15, 2005.

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