UNM
Legislation to create a combined degree program in the School of Medicine passed the House Education Committee on Friday.
Under the measure, about $800,000 would go to UNM to establish a combined bachelor's degree and medical doctorate. The degree would expand the enrollment of UNM's medical school by about 25 percent.
Rep. Henry Saavedra introduced the legislation, known as House bill 533.
It was referred to the House Appropriations and Finance Committee.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Higher Education
The Senate Education Committee passed a measure appropriating money for a faculty endowment fund.
House bill 338 would give $9 million to the fund, which would be equally distributed among the state's three research institutions.
UNM, New Mexico State University and the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology are the state's research schools.
The faculty endowment fund was originally created for all six of New Mexico's universities and UNM's School of Medicine. The fund was established by the Legislature in 2002.
The bill was passed by the House Education Committee on Feb. 14. Sponsored by Rep. Gail Beam, the measure is in the House Appropriations and Finance Committee.
A measure in the state Senate would expand the definition of "resident student" for tuition purposes at state colleges and universities.
The legislation, Senate bill 482, would define members of American Indian tribes in New Mexico as in-state college students.
Under the measure, members of American Indian tribes or pueblos in New Mexico would be considered resident students, regardless of their residence.
The change would affect undergraduate and graduate students.
The Senate Indian and Cultural Affairs Committee passed the bill on Feb. 3. It was introduced by Sen. Leonard Tsosie and is in the Senate Education Committee.
