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

SPONSOR Robinson

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

2/12/2007

HB

SHORT TITLE

Special Student Projects At UNM

SB 381

ANALYST Moser

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY07

FY08

$120.0

Recurring

General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

NM Department of Higher Education (HED)

Department of Public Education

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 381 appropriates $120,000 to the Board of Regents of the University of New Mexico

(UNM) Special Programs Office for the following:

(1) $35,000 for minority graduate recruitment and retention

(2) $35,000 for youth recreation and education

(3) $25,000 for youth leadership and development

(4) $25,000 for college preparation and mentoring

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $120,000 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY08 shall revert to the

general fund.

HED points out that the intent of the funds are:

o

Fund workshops and mentorships for 22 students and 22 professors. Professors

Senate Bill 381 – Page

2

receive compensation for becoming a mentor. Funding also goes toward travel

costs for students presenting at conferences as a result of the mentorship

o

Fund college orientation activities for middle school students. Money is coupled

with the existing programs, which serves 700 students from 5th to 8th grade. This

program encourages participating students to go to any college of their choice, not

just UNM

o

Fund intense summer orientation program for students with low ACT scores and

two or more remedial needs to prepare them for attending UNM or another

college of their choosing; part of the Summer Bridge program. Funding covers

cost of courses, mentors, orientation, and faculty and staff needed to carry out

these activities

o

Fund the College Mentoring Program, where UNM students become mentors/role

models to middle and high school students that motivate the latter to go

to college. Funding goes toward paying college students who are part of the Work

Study Program as well as stipends and to employ other necessary staff

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

HED states that this funding request was not on the list of priority projects submitted by UNM to

the New Mexico Higher Education Department (NMHED) and was not included in the

Department’s funding recommendation for FY08.

PED indicates that:

•

researchers at the Search Institute identified “adult role models," “supportive relationship

with three or more other adults" and “adults in community valuing youth" as essential to

youths’ health and well-being (Benson, et al., 1998).

•

Researchers working from within a risk and resilience framework have repeatedly called

attention to the protective influence of supportive relationships with adults (Masten &

Coatsworth, 1998; Garmezy, 1985; Werner & Smith, 1982). Rutter & Giller (1983)

highlighted the importance of “one good relationship" and Gamezy (1985) discussed the

critical importance of significant adults in promoting the healthy development of highly

stressed youths.

•

Mentoring relationships can positively influence a range of outcomes, including

improvements in peer and parental relationships, academic achievement and self-concept,

as well as lower recidivism rates among juvenile delinquents and reductions in substance

abuse (Davidson & Redner, 1998; LoSciuto, et al., 1996; McPartland & Nettles, 1991;

Reisner, et al., 1998).

•

According to the New Mexico Youth Risk and Residency and Survey

o

44% of New Mexico high school students did NOT participate in physical activity

during the past week of the survey

o

50% of New Mexico’s high school students are not enrolled in physical

education.

•

The correlation of the Family and Youth Resource program to the student health,

wellness and academic achievement is to ensure that schools will forge mutual long-term

partnerships with agencies and organizations to help students attain high academic

achievement by meeting non-academic needs of students and their families.

GM/mt