SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 66

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Howie C. Morales

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO COMPLETE A STUDY ON FACULTY SALARIES FOR NEW MEXICO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, COMPARE SALARIES WITH PEER INSTITUTIONS AND INCORPORATE STRATEGIES TO CLOSE SALARY GAPS INTO THE HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S STRATEGIC PLAN.

     WHEREAS, the higher education department is in the process of developing a strategic plan for the next decade, including a vision that will create a more educated citizenry in New Mexico; and 

     WHEREAS, the strategic plan includes goals of increasing degree attainment and student success, expanding access to post-secondary education through partnerships, making post-secondary education affordable for all, meeting the workforce needs of New Mexico and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the department; and

     WHEREAS, the strategic plan needs to include goals and strategies to recruit and retain faculty and staff who will contribute to the creative work that will be necessary to move higher education toward its vision; and

     WHEREAS, the faculty salary study II presented to the legislative finance committee in December 2006 showed huge gaps between average compensation amounts at New Mexico institutions of higher education compared to compensation amounts at peer institutions; and

     WHEREAS, the strategic plan prioritizes evidence-based decision-making;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it recognize the importance of recruiting and retaining quality personnel at New Mexico institutions of higher education; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that by September 18, 2009, the higher education department use existing resources and work together with New Mexico institutions of higher education to define a group of peer institutions for each New Mexico institution of higher education that have common missions, including research or comprehensive missions; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that by November 20, 2009, the higher education department use existing resources and work together with New Mexico institutions of higher education to conduct a study comparing faculty salaries and compensation between peer institutions and New Mexico institutions of higher education; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that by December 4, 2009, the higher education department use existing resources and the results of the study to identify and incorporate strategies and goals into the higher education department's strategic plan that will close salary or compensation gaps identified in the study; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no later than December 31, 2009, the higher education department submit a report to the governor and to the legislature on the findings of the study, noting how the results of the study will be used in the strategic plan; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of higher education.

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