During the New Mexico Commission on Higher Education’s two-day retreat last weekend, the group addressed several issues, including revising the state funding model used to establish budgets for higher education institutions.
The commission, which serves as the coordinating board that provides policy recommendations to the state legislature, also addressed distance learning initiatives and improved communication between member constituents.
Bruce Hamlett, executive director of the commission, said the current funding model used by the state to evaluate budgets for colleges and universities was developed in 1970.
The funding model incorporates factors from the institution that are three years old. By that formula, funding for UNM for the 2002-03 academic year would be based on statistics from the 1999-2000 academic year. Hamlett said the funding model needs to be based upon the current year’s needs.
The commission has formed the Blue Ribbon Task Force to address the issue of funding models, an issue Hamlett describes as one of the “highest priorities” for the group.
Distance learning and making higher education available to more New Mexicans was another important topic among those attending the retreat.
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Distance learning, such as Web-based courses and two-way broadcast classes, have become increasingly popular as the demand for education in rural areas has grown.
“The traditional student has changed,” said Lisa Roybal, the commission’s liaison officer.
However, New Mexico is one of the many states that has experienced this rise in rural education demand, but has yet to meet it, Hamlett said.
“New Mexico is behind other states to deliver education to the rural areas,” Hamlett said.
New Mexico’s relatively poor socioeconomic status, lack of urban centralization and extreme cultural diversity make strong barriers for many residents to pursue higher education.
Additionally, the commission listened to several state legislators, including Rep. Heather Wilson (R-N.M.), as well as institutional administrators to further communicate how to improve higher education in the state.
Hamlett said the retreat ended with a better understanding of the priorities of educational and legislator leadership.
