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

SPONSOR Martinez, R.

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

01/28/08

HB 465

SHORT TITLE WNMU Chicano/A Institute

SB

ANALYST Escudero

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY08

FY09

$95.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Higher Education Department (HED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $95.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any

unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY09 shall revert to the general

fund.

This request was submitted by WNMU to the New Mexico Higher Education Department for

review, but was not included in the Departments funding recommendation for FY09.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

According to HED, Hispanic students make up more than 40% of WNMU student enrollment.

WNMU is committed to serving this growing population and its diverse needs. The Chicano/a

Institute would offer education programs that are responsive to the understanding of the

intellectual, philosophical, and social development of its Hispanic student population.

WNMU's Chicano/a Institute is driven by two high priority needs: 1) access to higher education

for a historically underserved population and 2) support for a full Chicano Studies program. The

House Bill 465 – Page

2

goal of the program is to generate sufficient student enrollment and develop courses to constitute

a major. The requested funds will support program development activities and 1 FTE.

According to WNMU, the Chicano/a Institute has great appeal to Hispanic students at WNMU.

Nationally, we are experiencing a drastic growth in the Hispanic population. Student interest in

the program would have a direct impact on access to higher education for and increased retention

rates. The target audiences for the Institute would be current and potential students and faculty,

teachers and students from local area school districts, and the local Latino community

As stated by HED, according to WNMU, the program goals are:

.

to promote the development of a full Chicano/a Studies program;

.

to promote a high level of cultural sensitivity;

.

to focus on recruiting more Hispanic students and increase retention;

.

to allow the local community and the university community to interact in a positive

manner; and

.

to develop curriculum and professional development training.

PME/jp