SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 69

47th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2006

INTRODUCED BY

Cynthia Nava

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO STUDY THE BENEFITS OF CHARGING NONRESIDENT AND RESIDENT COLLEGE STUDENTS A UNIFORM TUITION RATE.

     WHEREAS, public colleges and universities across the country traditionally charge a higher tuition to students who are not residents of the state in which the college or university is located; and

     WHEREAS, the public colleges and universities in New Mexico follow that same practice; and

     WHEREAS, changing the practice in New Mexico so that a uniform tuition rate is charged to all students, regardless of residency, may have several benefits, including drawing a more diverse student population to the state's institutions of higher education and firmly establishing New Mexico and its higher education community as welcoming environments for people who wish to expand their educational opportunities;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the higher education department, in conjunction with representatives of each of New Mexico's public institutions of higher education, be requested to study the potential benefits and the feasibility of charging a uniform tuition rate and that the department report its findings to the legislative education study committee during the 2006 interim; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of higher education and the presidents of each of New Mexico's public institutions of higher education.

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