N.M. Admin. Code § 5.3.12.9 - IMPLEMENTATION

In order to ensure uniformity and equity in the implementation of this policy, it is necessary to clarify and make formal certain concepts described in Section 8 that determine differences in the fundability of certain types of credits.

A. Types of credit: Generally courses offered for academic credit are also eligible to count toward certificate and degree requirements; however, in some cases the special nature of the courses and their purpose make them inappropriate for degree credit, and thus ineligible for certain types of state funding.

(1) Academic credit: Credits for these courses are eligible for reporting to generate regular funding, as long as they meet all eligibility criteria contained in this policy.

(2) Developmental credit: Developmental course credits are not eligible for funding credit at the doctoral institutions, nor for degree or certificate credit at any institution.

(3) Extension, correspondence, self-study credit: Credits for courses that do not award credit applicable to a certificate or degree, or courses that do not include formal and regular contact between a student and instructor but are delivered through self-study, are not eligible for reporting to generate regular funding and must be supported by restricted or self-support funding.

B. Sources of revenue: The sources of revenue used to generate current instructional credits affect the state's interest in funding future activities based upon this record of past credits. In particular, the state may choose not to generate new funding levels from past activity that was compensated by a non-state source, thus avoiding double support for the same activity. For this reason, concepts of unrestricted and restricted credits are delineated within this policy. See also 5.3.12.7 NMAC for definitions.

(1) Unrestricted credit: Unrestricted credits are counted by the department as credits in the regular state funding process. Tuition for unrestricted credits is estimated as a revenue credit in developing the Instruction and general funding recommendations.

(2) Restricted credit: Restricted credits do not count as credits in the regular state funding process and are not considered by the department when determining instruction and general funding recommendations.

C. Boundaries of a campus: In order to differentiate between on-campus and off-campus instruction, it is necessary to define the limits of a campus. This policy provides such definitions, noting the differences between two-year and four-year boundaries relating to the unique circumstances of local supplementary funds for two-year institutions.

(1) On-campus credits: These are earned from courses that are offered within the defined boundaries of the campus for academic or developmental credit, including credits generated from institutional web-based delivery systems, and for which regular main campus tuition is charged.

(a) For four-year institutions: The geographic boundaries of the campus are the limits of the municipality or metropolitan statistical area where the university is located.

(b) Special and arranged on-campus credits: Because of the special nature of some courses, there are circumstances which of necessity require that they be taught, either in whole or in part, beyond the geographical boundaries of the campus and yet be classified as on-campus credit. These courses include those listed below or those arranged through timely, written agreement with the commission and the chief academic officer of the institution. The approved special on-campus programs include:

(i) student teaching;

(ii) internships;

(iii) cooperatives;

(iv) practica;

(v) field instruction;

(vi) physical education and recreation activity courses;

(vii) study abroad; and

(viii) thesis and dissertation courses.

(c) For two-year institutions: The geographic boundaries of the campus are the geographic boundaries of their taxing district or approved service area.

(d) Service areas - enabled: The department hereby assigns service areas to the public two-year higher education institutions consistent with the geographic boundaries of their taxing districts and subject only to limitations imposed by their enabling legislation. One institution will not deliver courses in another institution's service area without contacting that institution in a timely manner and obtaining concurrence in writing from that institution's chief academic officer, copy to the commission. Subparagraph (d), Paragraph 1, Subsection C of 5.3.12.9 NMAC shall expire on June 30, 2006.

(e) For areas of the state without local taxing districts, both four-year and two-year post-secondary institutions may offer educational services on a free-market basis.

(f) Right of first refusal - general provision: Two-year post-secondary institutions assigned a service area shall have a right of first refusal to meet lower division instructional needs within their service area and have an obligation to assist that area's citizens in obtaining appropriate institutional services where financially, programmatically, and otherwise feasible. See also 5.3.12.7 NMAC for definitions.

(g) Right of first refusal - overlapping campus boundaries: No lower division offerings of any main campus of a four-year post-secondary institution that is located within a two-year higher education institution's local taxing district shall be subject to the provisions of Subparagraphs (d) or (f), Paragraph 1, Subsection C of 5.3.12.9 NMAC of this policy with regard to that two-year institution.

(h) Right of first refusal - branch campuses and educational centers: While branch campuses and educational centers have the right of first refusal with regard to the offerings of other post-secondary institutions within their service area, the right of first refusal does not extend to the offerings of their own main campuses. Such offerings are subject only to internal institutional decision making.

(2) Off-campus credits: These are earned from courses offered that do not meet the above definitions of on-campus credits but are offered for academic or developmental credit and are part of an approved degree or certification program, taught by regular faculty or equivalent and/or delivered via extended learning. Tuition for off-campus credits reported for formula funding is estimated as a revenue credit in the calculation of the instruction and general funding recommendations.

(a) Types of off-campus instruction credit: Public post-secondary educational institutions should use any appropriate form of instruction and/or delivery mode to meet the needs of students and programs, consistent with the provisions of Subsection B of 5.3.12.8 NMAC of this policy.

(b) Two-year institutions may offer course work for off-campus credits at sites remote from their defined service area that are not in another designated service area, or where the two-year institution has obtained concurrence from another two-year institution to provide the course within the latter's service area. Such course work will be at the lower division level, subject only to limitations imposed by their enabling legislation, provided that main campus academic expectations for staff and support are met.

(c) Four-year institutions may offer course work for off-campus credits at sites remote from the main campus provided that they meet main campus academic expectations for staff and support. Generally, such course work will be at the upper division or graduate levels, except where there is no designated two-year institutional service area or where the four-year institution has obtained concurrence from the two-year institution to provide the course within the latter's service area.

(d) Any public post-secondary institution offering off-campus instruction in the vicinity of another public post-secondary institution will notify and seek the cooperation of that institution.

(e) The department has the authority to resolve disputes between or among higher education institutions regarding the delivery of instruction both within or outside of designated service areas.

D. Collaborative efforts, consortia, and extended learning instruction: The department supports efforts to promote the sharing of resources by existing public post-secondary educational institutions to provide quality educational services. Where appropriate, the development of collaborative approaches to deliver courses and programs to students is encouraged. In order to ensure the efficient and effective provision of such services, public post-secondary institutions engaging in such joint ventures must have written agreements clarifying the various responsibilities and benefits of the collaborating parties. These agreements must address, but need not be limited to, the following points:

(1) cost and revenue sharing arrangements;

(2) student credit hour reporting arrangements;

(3) accommodations for alternative delivery methods at the receiving site;

(4) arrangements and responsibilities for evaluating the effectiveness of the joint venture;

(5) provision of student support services; and

(6) provision of academic support services.

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 5.3.12.9

9/21/84, 1/10/91, 9/30/96, 5.3.12.9 NMAC - Rn & A, 5 NMAC 3.12.9; 11/30/01; A, 7/31/05