GENERAL INFORMATION 

Field School Dates: June 8-July 10, 2009

Students attending universities whose schedules overlap with starting or ending dates of the University of New Mexico Field School may still participate. However, written arrangements must be made prior to enrollment in the Field School.

Check-in and orientation will take place during the afternoon of Sunday, June 7th. We will provide more information on the time and place of the orientation on this web site and with the mailing sent to accepted Field School participants. Attendance is mandatory at the orientation session. Students arriving from outside Albuquerque will need to provide transportation information prior to arrival.

Student Eligibility

The Southwestern Archeological Field School is an annual University of New Mexico program. Students presently attending any college or university may apply to the Field School. High school juniors and seniors in the concurrent enrollment program are also eligible to apply. Applications for concurrent enrollment may be obtained through the University of New Mexico, Admissions Department (505) 277-2446.

All Field School students are formally enrolled for 3-6 credit hours in the University of New Mexico for the duration of the Field School. They receive University of New Mexico credits that, in most instances, are transferable to other colleges and universities. Students should check with their university registrar or other official to determine transferability of University of New Mexico Field School credits.  All students are expected to complete all five weeks of the field school regardless of the number of credit hours for which they are signed up.

Registration in the Field School does not constitute admission to any University of New Mexico degree program. Students other than University of New Mexico degree candidates may petition to apply Field School credit toward a University of New Mexico degree only if they apply to, and are admitted as, University of New Mexico degree candidates. The Field School is sponsored by UNM and is supported largely by student tuitions. Students are expected to comply with all federal, state, and local laws. Noncompliance is grounds for dismissal from the Field School. 

Accommodations and Transportation

Bill Baxter and a student at the front entrance to Young Ranch in 2000.

The UNM field school students will live at the Young Ranch, located just east of Cochiti Lake at the base of the Jemez Mountains.  This ranch is located in a forested canyon drained by the Rio Chiquito, a tributary of the Rio Grande.  Because of the location, there are numerous opportunities for hiking and exploring on weekends. Young Ranch was built in the 1920s and is one of the gems of New Mexico architecture.  There is water and electricity at Young Ranch.  Students will stay in the student bunkhouse, and will eat and attend lectures in main building.  A separate laboratory space is also available at Young Ranch.

Young Ranch, showing the main building (right) and student dormitory (left).
The lab building is located to the far left, hidden by the stand of cottonwood trees.
Horn Mesa rises behind the ranch buildings.

Students are not required to provide their own transportation. The field school will provide transportation to and from work locations, as well as for field trips. We will also ferry students up to Young Ranch and back to UNM at the beginning and end of the field school, and on the weekends as needed.  Private cars will be necessary for only personal trips. 

Our work week is from Sunday night through late Friday afternoon.  During our work week, we will be spending most of time in the field walking and recording archaeological, geological, and ecological information.  Because the elevations where we will be working are relatively high, applicants should be in good physical shape.  If you are concerned about your physical abilities, please contact the Field School Director, Ariane Pinson, at apinson@unm.edu.