44TH LEGISLATURE - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - FIRST SESSION, 1999

REQUESTING THE COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION TO IDENTIFY STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN DELIVERY OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

WHEREAS, investments in higher education promote the quality of life in New Mexico for all residents and enable individuals to lead productive lives; and

WHEREAS, citizens who enroll in higher education are more likely to earn higher incomes and vote in elections; and

WHEREAS, an educated citizenry reduces state costs for welfare and corrections; and

WHEREAS, investments in higher education promote the common good and benefit all; and

WHEREAS, the legislature has determined that the continued proliferation of campuses around the state is not in the state's best interest; and

WHEREAS, the legislature has explicitly directed that emphasis should be placed on the use of technology for extended learning rather than on the traditional "bricks and mortar" expansion of our existing institutions; and

WHEREAS, public higher education receives more than five hundred million dollars ($500,000,000) in annual appropriations from the general fund;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the commission on higher education be requested to identify:

A. strengths and weaknesses of the existing network of colleges and universities in New Mexico;

B. factors causing change within higher education as we move into the twenty-first century;

C. alternative models for delivering educational services that do not require the expansion of the "bricks and mortar" approach;

D. state-level policies that will expand the use of technology by faculty in the teaching and learning process and promote collaboration and partnerships among the institutions and with the public schools and the private sector;

E. funding incentives that might be implemented to achieve key state goals and maximize the benefits from the public investment in higher education; and

F. policy recommendations to promote an efficient and high quality student-centered network of higher education services so that public higher education in New Mexico is poised to meet challenges of the twenty-first century; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the commission on higher education present a preliminary report to the legislative finance committee and other appropriate legislative committees by November 1, 1999 and its final report by November 1, 2000; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the commission on higher education.