SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 19

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

Lynda M. Lovejoy

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE TO LEAD A STUDY TO IDENTIFY AND RECOMMEND CHANGES TO THE SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN NEW MEXICO FOR 2012.

     WHEREAS, higher education in New Mexico will account for nearly eight hundred million dollars ($800,000,000) from the general fund in fiscal year 2010; and

     WHEREAS, there are twenty-four post-secondary educational institutions and over sixty sites in New Mexico, a state with a population of approximately two million; and

     WHEREAS, the six state-funded universities have ten branch community colleges and thirty-nine educational sites; and

     WHEREAS, according to Curt Porter, chair, higher education funding task force; Dr. Viola Florez, former secretary, higher education department; and Hipolito "Paul" Aguilar, principal analyst, legislative finance committee, in testimony before the interim government restructuring task force, the funding formula for higher education is not aligned with many of the state's policy goals for higher education; and

     WHEREAS, these same individuals raised several specific concerns with the funding formula, among them that the formula funds inputs, but ignores outcomes; that the formula has too many cost variables; that, in order to increase enrollment and therefore increase funding, institutions are expanding the number and scope of programs, irrespective of service area or mission; and several additional concerns; and

     WHEREAS, the state's institutions of higher learning are controlled by constitutionally established boards of regents that have absolute control over their institutions, limiting the ability of state policymakers to make changes to the system of higher education; and

     WHEREAS, the provision of higher education is becoming increasingly more complex with both internal and external relationships of educational institutions growing more and more interdependent; and

     WHEREAS, the state master plan for education identifies a vision that "New Mexico's higher education system will aspire to be the global standard of quality, value, relevance and accessibility" through the provision of a high-quality, post-secondary education regardless of financial need, without unnecessary duplication and that preserves institutional flexibility; and

     WHEREAS, in order to achieve the vision, the state master plan for education identifies recommendations for preparedness of students, financial aid, a comprehensive student data warehouse, distance education, workforce and economic development, funding, capital outlay and governance; and

     WHEREAS, the interim government restructuring task force heard testimony regarding higher education in four of its ten meetings during the 2010 interim with topics covering "Big Ideas, Innovative Options", the state master plan for higher education, the higher education funding formula and suggestions for cost-savings and efficiencies at two-year and four-year post-secondary educational institutions; and

     WHEREAS, despite the attention paid to higher education, the government restructuring task force was unable to make any substantive legislative recommendations to reform the higher education governance system or funding formula; and

     WHEREAS, the government restructuring task force, the legislative finance committee, the higher education department, the higher education funding formula task force and others agreed that an in-depth study of the higher education funding formula and the policy drivers behind the formula is of critical importance to the state; and

     WHEREAS, the legislative education study committee has a statutory obligation to conduct a continuing study of all education in New Mexico, the laws governing such education, and the policies and costs of the New Mexico educational system and to recommend changes in laws relating to education, if any are deemed desirable;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee be requested to lead a study to identify and recommend changes to the system of higher education in New Mexico for 2012; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the higher education department, the council of university presidents, New Mexico independent colleges and the New Mexico association of community colleges and others be consulted in the accomplishment of the study; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the higher education department integrate the findings and recommendations of the study with the recommendations contained in the state master plan for higher education; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that specific legislative recommendations be developed for consideration for endorsement by the legislative education study committee; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the legislative education study committee and the secretary of higher education.

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