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

SPONSOR Lopez

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/10/2007

HB

SHORT TITLE UNM Instructional Technology

SB 679

ANALYST McOlash

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

$505.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Higher Education Department (HED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 679 appropriates $505,000 from the General Fund to the UNM Regents for

expenditure in FY 2008 to implement and operate learning support centers at UNM to facilitate

the use of instructional technology and improve student-learning experiences.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $505,000 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the General Fund.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 2008 shall revert to the

General Fund.

The Higher Education Department indicates the SB 679 appropriation would pay for people,

space, and hardware for training for instructional needs.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

The University of New Mexico submitted an Information Technology (IT) request called the

Enhanced Classroom Technology Business Case for $505,000. The purpose of this request is to

Senate Bill 679 – Page

2

support the Provost and the University in finding ways to improve retention and graduation rates

through improved support and coordination of the use of technology in instruction throughout

UNM.

In late 2005, UNM's Chief Information Officer (CIO) convened a group of faculty and support

staff from across campus to discuss the issue and establish requirements to improve the

deployment of technology in instruction. The CIO also engaged a consulting firm to outline the

parameters of improving support for instructional technology. The unanimous conclusion was to

build an infrastructure where technical support staff can inspire and assist faculty. The benefits

of expanding instructional technology throughout the campus will provide significant value and

efficiencies to faculty and students.

This IT request was submitted by UNM to HED for review but is not included in the

Department’s funding recommendation for FY08.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUEST

There is some uncertainty if this appropriation is related to the Information Technology request

or to the activities of New Media and Extended Learning's (NMEL) division of UNM’s

Extended University. The Higher Education Department indicated the appropriation is for

NMEL.

The uncertainty should be resolved before UNM receives an appropriation of $505,000.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

1.

Is the UNM IT request for the NMEL division of the Extended University.

2.

Is this request related to other operations as outlined by the Office of the CIO.

BM/mt