This rule was filed as 5 NMAC 5.3.
TITLE 5 POST-SECONDARY
EDUCATION
CHAPTER 5 POST-SECONDARY
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
PART 3 PROGRAMS
OF TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE AT TWO-YEAR INSTITUTIONS --
DESIGNATION OF
5.5.3.1 ISSUING
AGENCY: State of New Mexico Commission
on Higher Education, 1068 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501-4295,
(505) 827-7383
[12/31/98;
Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.3.2 SCOPE: All public post-secondary educational
institutions operating within and receiving financial support from the state of
New Mexico.
[12/31/98;
Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.3.3 STATUTORY
AUTHORITY: Authority for 5 NMAC 5.3
[5.5.3 NMAC] is found in NMSA 1978 Sections 21-1-26 and 21-2-5.
[12/31/98;
Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.3.4 DURATION: Permanent.
[12/31/98;
Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.3.5 EFFECTIVE
DATE: December 31, 1998.
[12/31/98;
Recompiled 10/31/01]; Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.3.6 OBJECTIVE
AND PURPOSE:
A. The designation of institutions for specialized technical
programs is one way in which New Mexico's two-year institutions can function
more effectively as a system. Such designation can avoid duplication of effort
and make technical education more available to the citizens of the state. This
concept also offers the potential for the state to concentrate limited
resources on high technology programs which have significant potential to
impact the economic development of the state.
B. Programs designated as "programs of technical
excellence" may receive supplementary funding on a priority basis.
Priority will normally be given to existing programs.
[12/31/98;
Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.3.7 DEFINITIONS: [RESERVED]
[Recompiled
10/31/01]
5.5.3.8 CRITERIA
FOR PROGRAMS OF TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE: The commission will recognize
as programs of technical excellence a limited number of technology programs
(one to two per year after initial designations) at two-year institutions
according to the following criteria:
A. Uniqueness of the program: designation as a "program of technical excellence" will generally be reserved for highly specialized and/or state-of-the-art technical programs which are unique within the state of New Mexico. These programs will usually be characterized by high operating, equipment, or facilities costs which the state cannot afford to duplicate. Special consideration will also be given to programs which, although not totally unique, meet the other criteria for program of technical excellence designation and are of particular significance in terms of meeting state educational and economic development goals.
B. Educational Demand: There must be a demonstrated and well-documented demand for the program in terms of meeting present and future needs of the state and nation. Such evidence will include current and projected job market requirements, past and projected student enrollment, support of employer advisory committees, and other relevant data.
C. Program Planning: Programs of technical excellence should be specifically identified in the institution's five-year plan. Current and projected data on enrollments, equipment and other costs, placement rates, economic conditions in the industry and plans for future development of the program should be incorporated in the plan.
D. Operational Costs: By virtue of its specialization and/or high level of technical sophistication, a program of technical excellence may require financial support above the level provided through current funding mechanisms for operational costs. Annual inflationary adjustments would be recommended on the same basis as provided for other higher education activities.
E. Availability of Student Housing: Programs of technical excellence are intended to serve students from a broader geographic area than the local community. The institution must demonstrate that it can arrange or provide suitable housing on-campus or off-campus for students from outside of the local community.
F. Program Evaluation: An annual program evaluation by the institution is required for all programs of technical excellence.
(a) The commission in conjunction with the
state department of education will provide direction to institutions regarding
the content and format of the evaluation report, which should be submitted by
August 1 of each year.
(b) The evaluation should document the
continued need and demand for the program, performance of the program based on
program objectives, enrollment levels, placement of graduates, and similar
criteria. The evaluation report will be used by the commission to determine
whether the program is meeting the educational needs of the state and merits
continued designation of program of technical excellence.
(c) A full program review will be conducted
by the commission and state department of education staff every three to five
years.
G. Articulation: Courses included in the general education component of a program of technical excellence should be offered at other public degree-granting institutions and fully transferable and applicable to the degree requirements of the program of technical excellence.
[12/31/98; Recompiled 10/31/01]
5.5.3.9 SCHEDULE: Proposals for designation as a program of
technical excellence should address the criteria outlined above and should be
submitted to the commission on higher education by July 1 annually after the
first year. Submissions for the first year should be submitted by September 1,
1990.
[12/31/98;
Recompiled 10/31/01]
History of 5.5.3 NMAC
Pre-NMAC History: The material in this part was derived from that
previously filed with the state records center and archives under:
CHE
Rule 260, Programs of Technical Excellence At Two-Year Institutions-Designation
Of, filed 10-2-91.