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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T





SPONSOR: Boykin DATE TYPED: 2/18/01 HB 141/aHEC
SHORT TITLE: NMSU Master of Arts in Distance Education SB
ANALYST: Gilbert


APPROPRIATION



Appropriation Contained
Estimated Additional Impact
Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY01 FY02 FY01 FY02
$ 200.0 Recurring General Fund



(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)



Duplicates Senate Bill 37



SOURCES OF INFORMATION



LFC Files

Commission for Higher Education (CHE)

CHE Files - Special Funding Requests Submitted by NMSU



SUMMARY



Synopsis of HEC Amendment



The House Education Committee amendment to House Bill 141 adds language to clarify that this new program is a master's of education degree with an emphasis in distance education, rather than a master's of distance education degree. The language in this amendment clarifies how the $200.0 appropriation is to be used:



.....to offer a master's degree in education with an emphasis in learning technologies and endorsement for information technology coordinators through distance education, including faculty expenses and acquisition of course supplies and computer equipment.



Synopsis of Original Bill



House Bill 141 appropriates $200.0 to New Mexico State University (NMSU) to establish a new Master of Arts degree program in distance education technology.





Significant Issues



This proposal would create a new master's level degree program in the College of Education to prepare teachers for integrating new technologies into the teaching process.



FISCAL IMPLICATIONS



The appropriation of $200.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY02 shall revert to the general fund.



ADMINISTRATIVE IMPACT



NMSU submitted the following budget for this program including 3.0 FTE to the CHE.



Salaries (3.0 FTE) $120,000

Fringe Benefits $23,700

Supplies/Equipment $30,000

Travel $10,000

Other $16,300

TOTAL $200,000



SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES



The following is provided for information only. It is not intended as a commentary on the merits of the program/project:



The NMSU Board of Regents ranked this project first out of four proposals in their "Instruction and General Programs" category and this proposal was presented to the CHE for consideration via the research and public service project funding process. The CHE did not recommend this program for funding.



According to the CHE, this program does not currently exist. 21-1-24 NMSA 1978, states that any graduate program that is to benefit from state funding must be first approved by the CHE and the State Board of Finance. The process for graduate degree program approval is in 5 NMAC 5.2. This program has not yet been presented for review per the regulatory process.





LG/ar