SENATE MEMORIAL 81

54th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2019

INTRODUCED BY

Pete Campos

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 21, 2019 "NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY DAY" IN THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university is a Hispanic-serving institution, with Hispanic students representing more than fifty percent of the student population, and strives to be a Native American-serving institution, with Native American students representing more than eight percent of the student population; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university serves nontraditional students over the age of twenty-five, who comprise almost forty-four percent of the student population; and

     WHEREAS, more than seventy-two percent of the undergraduates at New Mexico highlands university receive financial aid, with approximately fifty percent being Pell grant recipients; and

     WHEREAS, over the past three years, New Mexico highlands university awarded students with more than one thousand five hundred bachelor's degrees and over one thousand two hundred master's degrees; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university is consistently ranked first in New Mexico for student satisfaction, according to alumni surveys; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university is ranked as a leading college in the "best bang for the buck" category, published by Washington Monthly magazine; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university is one of the leading colleges in the country for boosting its students' social mobility, according to the Brookings institute; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university has many active alumni, representing every state and many countries, and seeks to effectively reach out to all alumni through the establishment of a vibrant alumni association board of directors; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university has recently celebrated its one hundred twenty-fifth anniversary, with campuswide celebrations, including a matanza for the campus community, alumni and the greater community; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university recently completed a financial campaign to restore its athletic field for the numerous athletic teams that use it, bringing it into compliance the with the national collegiate athletic association standards; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university athletes' average grade point averages were three and ten-hundredths, compared to New Mexico highlands university non-athlete grade point averages of two and ninety-seven hundredths, and the athletes earned the highest average grade point averages over the past eight years; and

     WHEREAS, the priorities of New Mexico highlands university are: academic excellence; academic integration and student success; strategic enrollment management; vibrant campus and university life; community partnerships; technological advancement and innovation; and enhanced communication and efficiency across the university; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university effectively serves students across the state and beyond its borders, online and on its campuses and centers in Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Farmington, Rio Rancho, Albuquerque and Roswell; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university educates many first-generation, minority and low-income students, transforming their lives and the lives of their families and future generations; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university has been awarded approximately fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) in grants since 2015; and

     WHEREAS, New Mexico highlands university welcomes students from northern New Mexico and other regions of the state, as well as the United States and the world;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 21, 2019 be declared "New Mexico Highlands University Day" in the senate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that New Mexico highlands university be commended for its service and dedication to the residents of New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the president of New Mexico highlands university.

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