HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 42

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Nick L. Salazar

A JOINT MEMORIAL

CONGRATULATING NORTHERN NEW MEXICO COLLEGE ON ITS ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF OPERATION.

     WHEREAS, northern New Mexico college, formerly known as the Spanish-American normal school, was established in El Rito under territorial law by Laws 1909, Chapter 97, which stated in part, "...the New Mexico Spanish-American normal school, the object of which shall be to educate Spanish-speaking natives of New Mexico for the vocation of teachers in the public schools of the counties..."; and

     WHEREAS, Laws 1947, Chapter 97, Section 1 allowed the school to use the name northern New Mexico normal school in lieu of its original name; and

     WHEREAS, Laws 1955, Chapter 115, Section 2 allowed for the use of the name northern New Mexico state school, except for financial transactions; and

     WHEREAS, in 1959, House Joint Resolution 11, amending the state constitution, reaffirmed the northern New Mexico state school as a state educational institution and was approved by the people on November 8, 1960; and 

     WHEREAS, in 1970, the school's title was changed to the New Mexico technical vocational school, and it became northern New Mexico community college in 1977, though neither name was enacted into law; and

     WHEREAS, in becoming a community college, the school was able to offer academic classes; and

     WHEREAS, in July 1977, the board of regents accepted a new mission of the institution and began the enormous task of combining the existing programs, philosophies and procedures to establish a comprehensive community college; and 

     WHEREAS, in 2004, legislative approval and accreditation was extended to the school, permitting it to be the first community college in the state of New Mexico to offer a four-year degree in elementary education; and

     WHEREAS, in April 2005, legislation was enacted that removed the two-year limit on accredited college level academic instruction to restore its original constitutional mission, permitting it to offer four-year degrees in any program deemed necessary and appropriate; and

     WHEREAS, Laws 2005, Chapter 304, Section 2 provided that "except for financial transactions, the use of the name northern New Mexico college is hereby permitted in lieu of northern New Mexico state school, for common convenience"; and

     WHEREAS, after many changes, the 2009-2010 academic year is the one hundredth year of operation for northern New Mexico college;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it hereby congratulate northern New Mexico college for its one hundred years of successful operation; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the president of northern New Mexico college and to the chair of the board of regents of northern New Mexico college.

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