The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE

 


Media contact: Susan McKinsey
277-1989, 362-5530
mckinsey@unm.edu

September 14, 2006

UNM, NMSU, CNM To Collaborate on Rio Rancho Plan
Working group to tackle academic planning and land use

A nine-person working group, with representatives from the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University and Central New Mexico Community College, will soon begin planning and negotiating for higher education offerings in Rio Rancho, announced acting UNM President David Harris today.

Harris will head up this working group that was formed in part during the joint meeting of the UNM and NMSU boards of regents in Las Cruces on September 9. CNM officials were invited to participate during a meeting with UNM regents and NMSU regent president Steven Anaya on September 12.

Collaboration among the three institutions will focus on UNM’s future full-service campus that will be located on 216 acres next to the City Centre in Rio Rancho. The UNM acreage is the product of a land exchange agreement between UNM and the State Land Office which will be finalized in early October.

“Now that the land is secured, the intention is to move forward quickly,” said Harris. “The main focus will be on extensive curriculum planning, but we will also be talking about land use.”

Harris envisions that this working group will develop a template for future collaborations among institutions and says New Mexico Secretary of Higher Education Beverlee McClure will be invited to play a major role in the planning.

Joining Harris on the working group from UNM will be Regent Don Chalmers and Reed Dasenbrock, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. NMSU representatives will be President Michael Martin, Executive Vice President and Provost William Flores and Regent Bob Gallagher. CNM representatives will be President Michael Glennon, Kathie Winograd, vice president for planning and budget, and Richard Barr, chair of the CNM Governing Board.


The University of New Mexico is the state's largest university, serving more than 32,000 students. UNM is home to the state's only schools of law, medicine, pharmacy and architecture and operates New Mexico's only academic health center. UNM is noted for comprehensive undergraduate programs and research that benefits the state and the nation.

www.unm.edu