RIO RANCHO N.M.

The University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College plan to share a new campus in Rio Rancho.

The initial building would be built and owned by the community college, but both schools would offer courses, according to a memorandum of understanding to be voted on Tuesday by UNM's regents.

UNM regents president Jamie Koch said the agreement will help reinforce what some have long felt about UNM and CNM that the two schools need to work together.

The main Albuquerque campuses of the two schools are located within a few blocks of each other.

The schools will share facilities in Rio Rancho until each has the ability to provide courses within self-governed facilities, the memo says.

UNM officials have made little secret about their willingness to explore the possibility of collaborating with the community college.

In his first few months as president of UNM, David Schmidly talked about providing the university with a gateway program. Through the program, students who might not be ready for UNM could take classes at CNM and receive the same amenities as UNM students, such as living in dorms, student discounts to athletic events and library access.

Under the memorandum of agreement, UNM and CNM would work on a "2 + 2" program, in which class credit at CNM would count toward graduation credit at UNM.

Information from: The Albuquerque Tribune, http://www.abqtrib.com

- Associated Press

© Copyright 2006 by DiverseEducation.com

Top of Page