FOREWORD

Origin and Structure of the University

The University of New Mexico, created by an Act of the Territorial Legislature in 1889, opened as a summer normal school on June 15, 1892, and began full-term instruction on September 21 of the same year. In creating the University, the Legislature designated it as the state university whose objective should be to "provide the inhabitants of the State of New Mexico with the means of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the various branches of literature, science and arts." § 21-7-2, NMSA 1978 (Laws 1889, ch. 138, § 1).

In keeping with this mandate, the University offers undergraduate and graduate instruction in Architecture and Planning, Arts and Sciences, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Management, Nursing, Pharmacy, professional degree programs in Law and Medicine, and graduate instruction in Public Administration. All freshman meeting the admission requirements for baccalaureate level work at UNM are admitted to and enrolled in the University College which administers the Bachelor of University Studies degree program as well as several associate degree programs.

The University has branch colleges in Valencia County, Gallup, and Los Alamos, operates graduate centers in Los Alamos and Santa Fe, and operates the Taos Education Center.

The University of New Mexico is the largest of the state's publicly supported institutions of higher learning and has been fully accredited by the North Central Association since 1922.

Mission

The mission of the University of New Mexico is to serve the educational needs of the citizens of the state. This mission involves three interrelated dimensions:

  1. The University develops and offers comprehensive educational programs at the associate, baccalaureate, master, and doctoral levels in a wide range of academic and professional fields.
  2. The University conducts research and engages in scholarly and creative activities to support undergraduate, graduate, and professional educational programs and to create, interpret, apply and accumulate knowledge.
  3. The University contributes to the quality of life in New Mexico and beyond by providing to the public selected services that are part of, contribute to, or originate from the University's teaching and scholarly activities.

Comments should be sent to BRPM@UNM.edu

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