44th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 1999

RELATING TO POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION; ENACTING A NEW ARTICLE OF CHAPTER 21 NMSA 1978 TO ESTABLISH A GRADUATE CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO GALLUP BRANCH.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. A new Section 21-30-1 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"21-30-1. [NEW MATERIAL] AUTHORIZATION.--The McKinley county graduate center is established at the university of New Mexico Gallup branch to coordinate delivery of upper division and graduate courses in McKinley county. The center is not authorized to initiate its own programs but shall contract to use existing programs in post-secondary educational institutions in fulfilling this purpose."

Section 2. A new Section 21-30-2 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"21-30-2. [NEW MATERIAL] AGREEMENTS.--The university of New Mexico Gallup branch local advisory board shall enter into an agreement with the board of regents of the university of New Mexico, or other university if the university of New Mexico elects not to participate, for operation of the McKinley county graduate center. If the university of New Mexico Gallup branch becomes an independent institution or affiliates with another post-secondary educational institution, authority over the center shall be with the local advisory board or its successor."

Section 3. A new Section 21-30-3 NMSA 1978 is enacted to read:

"21-30-3. [NEW MATERIAL] APPROPRIATIONS.--Appropriations to the McKinley county graduate center shall be made in the same manner as funding is provided to universities for residential instruction and shall be based on the number of students taking upper division or graduate courses with the center, or within the university of New Mexico Gallup branch facilities, as reported by the center. The center shall be eligible for such funding in the year 2001. In counting enrollment prior to the establishment of the center for its initial funding allocation in fiscal year 2000, the enrollment in university of New Mexico upper division and graduate courses offered at the university of New Mexico Gallup branch shall be the basis of funding calculations. The local board may commingle funds received through the Community College Act and this act as needed to present a coordinated and comprehensive lower, upper and graduate curriculum to the citizens of McKinley county."