The UNM Board of Regents Academic/Student Affairs and Research Committee heard a series of action items, information items and a faculty presentation at Thursday’s meeting. They also shared updates on each member’s designated boards/committees as well as a monthly report on academic affairs.
Here are the four things to know:
Provost’s Administrative Report, new programs approved
Vice Provost Carol Parker presented the report, saying UNM’s 2016 rankings have improved in several categories, including top public schools, Pharmacy, Fine Arts, Best Law Schools and Best Engineering Schools.
“The committee made clear that despite severe budget pressure, the momentum on improving student retention and graduation must continue,” Hosmer said.
The UNM Valencia Campus requested an Associates Degree in Mathematics be offered at their location. This was proposed and approved by the Regents with the intent to broaden students’ choices with minimal budget impact and without new faculty hires.
Nancy Lopez, director of the Institute for the Study of Race and Social Justice, said a Race and Social Justice Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate was approved by Director of Peace Studies Jamal Martin and Associate Professor Ricky Lee Allen, in the hopes of drawing new research on race to campus and giving graduate students from any field an opportunity to participate in race- or social-justice-related internships and courses.
The certificate is the first such program in the United States involving social justice. The 15-credit certificate would be aimed towards providing a “critical examination of normative understandings of contemporary and historical racial inequalities,” according to preproposal documents.
Decision to honor football player to be presented to Regents
In addition to the new degree paths, the committee also approved the awarding of a posthumous degree to UNM Football player Markel Byrd. Byrd, who died in a car accident over winter break, helped propel the Lobos into the the 10th Annual Gildan New Mexico Bowl with a game saving tackle against Boise State and was said by Student Regent Ryan Berryman to be “a dedicated student”.
The full Board of Regents will deliberate and vote on the decision to approve the degree at their next meeting Friday.
Student veteran community requesting more support
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Student Veterans of UNM President Eliberto Calderon also gave a proposal to provide further support for veterans on campus.
“[The] essence is that we have inadequate facilities for veterans on this campus,” Calderon said. “Veterans bring millions of dollars in tuition and spend millions more living in this community, yet the return on investment does not reflect this. I am calling on every member of the governing body of this university not only engage us in dialogue but to take an active role in bringing real change to fruition.”
He said this is a first step towards activating a dormant veteran community that exists in Albuquerque.
Potential Population Health program gaining momentum
A proposal to create a Bachelor of Science degree in Population Health has already peaked roughly 90 students’ interest. Berryman said this was an information item and that action will be taken at a future meeting.
“[The] Population Health Degree emphasizes connectivity to the end users, the healthcare provider and other support systems for the patients and family,” Regent Suzanne Quillen said. “We are inundated with data, research outcomes, etc., yet we at times do not have the knowledge in a format useful to application in health care delivery. How will we impact care coordination of these populations as well as ease of accessibility?”
Elizabeth Sanchez is a reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Beth_A_Sanchez.
