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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Garcia, M.P.

DATE TYPED 02-24-05 HB HJM50

SHORT TITLE UNM El Centro de la Raza Funding

SB

ANALYST Woods

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to SB569, SB799

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Response Received From

Commission on Higher Education (CHE)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Joint Memorial 50 resolves 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 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. It

further requests that the University of New Mexico provide a stable commitment to its successful

programs. The memorial additionally notes that:

•

although El Centro de la Raza has experienced two consecutive budget cuts, it has contin-

ued to serve over three thousand Hispanic students annually and an increasing number

every year;

House Joint Memorial 50 -- Page 2

•

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;

•

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 in-

stitution in the nation; and

•

the university of New Mexico receives federal funding through the United States Depart-

ment of Education exclusively for Hispanic students because of its status as an Hispanic-

serving institution.

Significant Issues

Founded in 1969, the mission of El Centro de la Raza is to assist University of New Mexico

(UNM) students in reaching their academic goals. To accomplish this objective, it advocates on

behalf of the students, presents culture-specific outreach activities, and educates the campus

community on the diverse issues that affect Raza students attending or wishing to attend UNM.

As indicated below some of the programs reflect traditional celebrations, while others are di-

rected to educational purposes:

•

Raza Junta

•

16 de septiembre

•

Hispanic Heritage Month

•

Dํa de la Raza

•

Hispano Student Day

•

Dํa de los Muertos

•

Raza Excellence

•

Outstanding Student Award

•

C้sar Chแvez Day

•

Ida Romero Memorial Scholarship

•

Cinco de mayo

•

Raza Graduation

•

Minority Undergraduate Fellows

Program (MUFP)

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

Copies of HJM 50 will 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.

CONFLICT, DUPLICATION, COMPANIONSHIP, RELATIONSHIP

Relates to SB569 in that SB569 seeks to appropriate $200,000 from the general fund to the

Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico for expenditure in FY06 to provide mentor-

ing, tutoring and study support for Hispanic students through El Centro de la Raza.

Relates to SB799 in that SB799 seeks to create El Centro de la Raza as a service center within

the Division of Student Affairs of the University of New Mexico.

BFW/lg