by Rivkela Brodsky
Daily Lobo
A proposed admissions revision could cut enrollment numbers of African-American, American Indian and Hispanic students.
Under the proposal, students who apply to UNM with ACT or SAT scores that are insufficient in reading, math and English would not be admitted to the University. They would be allowed admission once they make up one of the three deficiencies.
Terry Babbitt, director of recruitment and admissions, said scores of 18 or less on the ACT in math and English and 17 or less in reading are considered deficient scores. SAT scores of less than 450 in math and English are deficient, he said.
According to numbers provided in the proposal, 9.8 percent of American Indian, 7.8 percent of African-American and 6.8 percent of Hispanic freshman students need introductory classes. The numbers state 1.6 percent of white students need developmental classes.
Babbitt said the change would affect about 100 students.
"It could impact enrollment," he said. "We don't want it to."
He said minority student enrollment numbers are growing, and the demographic data suggest it will continue.
He said the University wants to beef up support for programs that help students who are deficient in these areas. One of these programs, he said, was the University's Summer Bridge Program for American Indian students.
Babbitt said the bridge is a college-prep program that allows students to get used to the college atmosphere and classes the summer before they start at UNM.
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"We're hoping because of interventions, the impact will be minimal," he said.
Peter Estrada, public relations officer of Lambda Theta Phi Latin fraternity, said the policy will have a snowball effect on enrollment numbers.
Estrada and a group of about six students from the fraternity and a couple of students from minority sorority Lambda Theta Alpha met Wednesday because they were concerned about the policy.
He said they don't necessarily have a problem with the policy, but they want the University to put money into programs such as El Centro de la Raza that help minority students graduate.
He said many minority students will not take an extra class or placement exam because of economic or other reasons, meaning many of them will not go to UNM.
He said as a Hispanic student, he knows how minority students can feel discouraged by the barriers of getting into UNM.
To make up a deficiency, students would need to take the Compass placement exam, retake the ACT or SAT or complete an introductory studies course.
Introductory courses are not taught by UNM instructors. TVI instructors teach introductory classes at UNM. UNM branch campuses also offer the classes.
Babbitt said as it is, students are admitted if they meet other admission requirements, which include a 2.5 GPA and 13 units of college-prep classes in English, math, science and other courses.
He said the reason for the change was that after attending college for six years, students with a deficiency have an 18 percent graduation rate compared with a 48 percent rate for students who come to college without deficiencies in college preparatory areas, according to 2004 institution data.
Babbitt said there is a correlation between high school preparation and college graduation.
The proposed policy also states students in the top 10 percent of their high school class or those with a 3.9 GPA at a school that doesn't rank its students will automatically be admitted to the University.
Estrada said Lambda Theta Phi will speak at the regents meeting on May 13. The policy is listed on the agenda as an informational item.
"We want to make sure they give us a fair shake," he said. "We're the ones it's going to effect."
The policy was passed at the Faculty Senate meeting Tuesday.
