Saturday, March 13, 2010

Enrollment Down at UNM

By Rosalie Rayburn
Copyright © 2010 Albuquerque Journal
Journal Staff Writer
          University of New Mexico's new Rio Rancho campus is open for business.
        But enrollment figures are at historically low levels, and the campus director says course offerings are still being worked out.
        Located just north of City Hall, the $13.5 million building opened for classes on Jan. 19. At 42,477-square-feet, it is more than seven times larger than the leased space it used at 2600 American Road east of Don Chalmers Ford, near the border between West Side Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.
        It has 13 well-equipped classrooms, pristine study areas and free parking. Course topics include business, economic, psychology, sociology, English and anthropology at junior, senior or graduate levels.
        But it's short on students.
        "The new campus is about 12 miles north of (its) previous location. We wondered if students would find it more challenging to come here," said Beth Miller, UNM's interim director for Rio Rancho operations.
        The official spring 2010 enrollment report UNM issued in February shows a 20 percent decline in enrollment in Rio Rancho, from 495 in the spring 2009 semester to 393 this semester.
        Numbers for student credit hours dropped, too. The report for Rio Rancho showed enrollment for 1,501 credit hours this semester, compared to 1,901 for spring 2009.
        Miller said the initial focus seemed to be getting the campus built.
        "I don't think the (course) content had been thought out in much depth," Miller said.
        She said her staff is working with others at the main campus in Albuquerque to market the new Rio Rancho campus. She expects enrollment to increase.
        But there is a lot to be worked out.
        "I think it's going to be a bit of a challenge for the next year," Miller said.
        Changes in personnel
        Miller was appointed to take over responsibility for UNM West midway through the construction phase.
        Marc Nigliazzo, the vice president UNM hired in mid-2008 to oversee the Rio Rancho project, resigned last June while the building was under construction.
        Other high level personnel changes within UNM, the recession and a tight budget, have also affected plans for programs and staffing at Rio Rancho, she said.
        Miller said she and UNM Provost Suzanne Ortega are talking about program development with major-minor course offerings to enable students to complete degree requirements in Rio Rancho. Business, nursing and education are the most likely areas.
        UNM has an agreement with Central New Mexico Community College in which students can take the first two years of a degree program at CNM, then transfer to UNM for the remaining two years.
        The campus CNM is building just north of UNM West is scheduled to open in August.
        Tax revenue
        Rio Rancho residents have a financial stake in the new campus after a majority of voters approved the quarter-cent gross receipts tax UNM sought to help cover construction costs.
        The increase took effect July 1, 2008, adding an extra 25 cents to a $100 purchase.
        The city has pledged to allocate about $8.4 million of the tax revenue to UNM.
        So far, the increase has brought in $3.2 million, city spokesman Peter Wells said.
        Business organizations supported the tax increase, saying the campus would help attract new businesses and give high school graduates easier access to university level courses.
        But some voters were skeptical.
        Enchanted Hills resident Todd Hathorne voted against the increase, saying he was concerned it would harm Rio Rancho's ability to attract new businesses.
        He wonders now if residents are benefitting from the money they are sending to UNM.
        "I was disappointed by the list of classes I saw," Hathorne said. "When what you're offering doesn't suit the community, you need to change the mix."
       

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